Video Transcript
[0:00] Welcome to Caregiver SOS by Bay Alarm Medical. My name is Haley Burress. I’m a caregiving expert here to talk about the ugly side of caregiving that no one talks about — the most frustrating and challenging parts of caring for an aging family member, and how to get through it. Let’s talk about the aftermath of a visit. Here’s our question: “My mom doesn’t need too much help from me yet, but I do visit her a few times a week to check in, reset her pill box, and chat. I’ve noticed that for the past few months, every time I get in the car to return home from my visit with her, I’m emotionally drained. She requires a lot of my attention when I’m visiting her. She complains a lot. It’s taking a toll on me, and I find that I don’t look forward to visiting her.”
[0:30] Feeling emotionally spent after a visit with your aging loved one is a common caregiver experience. That doesn’t make it any easier, of course, but there are some tips that might relieve some of that burden you feel when you’re leaving.
[1:02] First, sandwich your caregiver tasks between things you and your mom enjoy doing together. For example, start your visit by sitting and having a cup of coffee together while you gossip about what’s new in the neighborhood. If she brings up her health concerns or other heavy topics, redirect them. Once your coffee and conversation is done, you can refill the medications, schedule the doctor appointments, listen to her medical updates, and take out the garbage.
[1:34] Then, before you go, do something else that you enjoy together — like baking a favorite recipe, going for a walk to look at the flowers in the park, singing to some favorite tunes, or starting a craft together. When you sandwich your caregiver tasks, you’re starting and leaving on a good note, not a depressing one.
[2:07] Another tactic you can use is to ask for help. Schedule other family members or friends to call your mom a few hours before your visiting time. She can offload some of those medical concerns and negativity before you arrive.
[2:19] Like and subscribe for more caregiving advice.
