Caregiving, an Ever-Changing Landscape

Caregiving for an aging loved one is ever-changing and time-consuming. You often feel like you aren't doing enough, but what else is there to do? The frustration in it all.

You want to make sure Mom, or your aging loved one, is happy and safe, but she does things that make you worry so much and then gets combative if you try to “tell her what to do.” This push and pull on the relationship creates stress and strain for both of you. Not the ideal relationship either of you wants.

Then, on top of everything, you most likely feel like you are being swallowed up by the demands of your caregiving role. It's not that you don't want to be there for Mom, but sometimes the added responsibility can create caregiver burnout—it's a real thing!

Did you know there are three phases to your own caregiving journey?

• Early Phase: whether you first notice challenges where there was none in the past or her work-around solutions aren’t working so well anymore.

• Mid-phase, when you’ve noticed you are being called on more often and for greater reasons.

• Later Phase, the playing field has changed, and you need to continue to figure things out and adjust to those changes.

Knowing that the caregiving journey is fluid helps you to set better expectations that will help both you and Mom adjust to the ever-changing conditions and needs.

We have created a guide for the family caregiver called Relationship Stress with Your Aging Loved One? How to Ease the Strain and Enjoy Your Time Together.

This guide is helpful support for caregivers. It covers the three phases of caregiving, and it will give you added insight into your aging loved one that you may have never known before. It will cause you to take a step back and see them and their actions from a different perspective, different from what you've always known or assumed. When challenges arise and you're coming from a new perspective, it will be like taking a deep breath when you need it to help you navigate through the challenge together.

Download the free guide. Learn what you've been missing. Ease the relationship strain between you and your aging loved one and start enjoying your time together.

If you have already downloaded the guide, feel free to reach out to discuss your current circumstances; we can provide helpful suggestions and support for you and your aging loved one