It is hard to admit but even harder to avoid. Feeling tired of your role as family caregiver is a very common response to spending so much time together, completing the same tasks, participating in the same activities, and running out of intriguing conversation topics. This is not by any means associated with your feelings for the individual in your care. In fact, they may be feeling just as bored with a stagnant family caregiver routine.
How can you breathe new life into your family caregiver routine? Our care team has some ideas for you to try.
Break Out of the Norm.
Take a mental walk through the family caregiver routines you have built, and think about techniques to implement changes. Are you preparing the same bowl of oatmeal each and every morning? Try doing a quick search on the internet or pull out a few cookbooks in order to find an appealing new recipe to try with the person in your care once per week. Instead of those morning talk or game shows, turn off the television and take a walk together. Drive a different route to the doctor’s office or beauty salon to see some new sights.
Tap Into Your Imagination.
Remember creating imaginary worlds of play as children? It can be just as fun as an adult! As you are waiting in the doctor’s office, take a look at the people around you, and try to picture an extraordinary story of their lives. Challenge the senior to do the same, and then share your stories during the drive home. Practicing mindfulness is another way to fully engage in the moment instead of dully observing from the sidelines. Use all five senses to experience your surroundings in a brand new and intriguing way.
Plan Something Fun.
Brainstorm ideas for fun outings or new experiences you can plan together with your family member. These could be as simple as trying a new restaurant in town or traveling to a destination they have always wished to visit but never had the opportunity. If traveling with the senior loved one seems too challenging, consider bringing along a professional caregiver from Golden Harmony! We are always available to help make dreams become a reality when it comes to the older adults we serve.
Celebrate! Do not wait for a major holiday, birthday, or anniversary to help make life more intriguing and fun! There are hundreds of unique and lesser-known holidays to pick from, for example, National Polar Bear Day, Toast Day, Tell a Fairy Tale Day, and Comfy Day – and those are only a few reasons to celebrate in the last week of February! Or why not designate your very own? All it takes is a little creative thinking as you look around your environment, select something you’re thankful for, and think about ways to make it the star of the day.
Let Golden Harmony help you with your family caregiver routine by providing breaks from care that give you both the opportunity for experiences outside of each other’s company, allowing for pleasurable conversations when you’re together again. Contact us at 919-426-7522 to learn more about our award-winning companion care in Raleigh and nearby Triangle communities!