June 17, 2022 by
Sometimes, it feels like there aren’t enough hours in the day to do what needs to be done as a family caregiver. Family caregivers are often overloaded with daily care tasks: Planning and preparing meals. Planning activities that are purposeful and enjoyable for the senior. Medical appointments. Shopping and other errands. Housework and laundry. Personal care and hygiene. And all of this is in addition to meeting the needs of your own household, children, spouse, and if there’s any time left over, yourself!
We encourage you to pause for just a moment, take a deep breath, and implement these tried-and-true time management tips [D1] to help each day run more smoothly.
Define
Out of your list of to-dos, make a decision about who is best suited for each task. You may be the best person to help the senior with showering and getting ready for the day, while a neighbor may be able to take the senior to the doctor and out for lunch afterwards.
Prioritize
Start the day by prioritizing tasks into categories, such as what must be done today, what you’d like to do today, and what can wait until another day. Prioritizing allows you to focus on the most pressing tasks first, leaving the other duties until a more convenient time.
Implement
The temptation to procrastinate can be a powerful one to overcome! Now that you have a plan in place for your day, jump in and accomplish the tasks that need your attention. However, bear in mind that self-care should always be a top priority. Surround yourself with a strong support system that allows you the time away needed to ensure your own health is never being compromised.
Above all, remember that you’re doing great and important work. It’s easy to get caught up in the daily details and lose sight of the big picture and the fact that everything you do for the senior you love is causing a positive and lasting impact.
With that in mind, allow yourself some grace on the days when things don’t go as planned, as will certainly be the case from time to time! When a crisis or setback arises and your to-dos are left undone, realize that tomorrow is a new day and the tasks will be there whenever you’re ready to tackle them again.
At Home Independent Living’s caregivers are fully trained, experienced, and ready to assist you in meeting all of a senior family member’s needs – allowing you the time away you need for a balanced and healthy life. Contact us online or call us at 315-579-HOME (4663) for a free in-home consultation to learn more.