There will come a time when it is no longer your parents that take care of you, but you who takes care of your parents. This period is particularly difficult, however, because by interfering too much into their lives and their health will actually hurt them, rather than help them. That is because not being trusted to take care of yourself is embarrassing and undignified. When you hurt your elderly relative like this, you are actually worsening their health. Mental health and physical health are very closely linked, which is why when you take care of them you need to do it healthily and productively.

Coping with this difficult conundrum can be frustrating, but by following this simple guide you can cope with your new situation for the betterment of everyone involved:

Learn How to Help by Professionals

If there is no question as to whether your elderly relative needs medical attention, then it’s time to get some professional experience under your belt. Learning on the go while you try to help someone who is in pain will be a frustrating experience for the both of you. Instead, read up on the CDPAP and learn how you can get trained to care for your elderly relative in their own home, and even be paid for your efforts on www.freedomcareny.com. This program allows patients to choose who takes care of them and puts the decision making back into their hands. For you, it means that you can be professionally trained to do what you’ve already been doing all along. It’s a win-win for one of the worst-case scenarios.

Be Honest with Them

Just because they are in pain or are otherwise angry at their new and evolving limitations does not mean you need to accept any backlash. Stand firm and be honest about how they make you feel. This is important whether it is to tell your elderly relative that you are doing your best and that you would appreciate it if they didn’t criticize your efforts, or whether you simply want to express how much you love them. Be honest with your feelings and learn how to communicate more effectively so that you can work towards a better tomorrow.

Get Support for Yourself

Often the caretakers of those with advanced health conditions put their own health and their own wellbeing in jeopardy. You can suffer under the stress and strain you put yourself under trying to take care of your elderly relative and juggle your other responsibilities as well. That is why joining support groups and meeting other caretakers can be so important. You need to talk about how you feel, and you need to put your own mental health first. If you don’t, you cannot be happy while you help your loved one.

Coping with a relative whose health is deteriorating can be difficult. Pretending that it isn’t difficult and that you don’t need help isn’t productive. Ask for help, reach out, get the proper training – do all of this to make your caretaking responsibilities easier. The easier they are, the more you can enjoy the time you spend with your elderly relative.