If you’re caught in the middle of taking care of elderly or sick parents while taking care of your children, you’re not alone. In fact, it makes you a part of the sandwich generation. This covers many people worldwide, mostly in the middle-aged group. In some cases, the situation has escalated so much that you have had to be appointed their guardian or conservator to protect them, especially if they are very ill, that is why resources like a Denver elder law lawyer will be needed to make this legal, which can be a long process amongst everything else.
There’s a lot of headaches that comes with balancing both worlds and it can be draining. As long as you’ve taken this noble decision to take care of your parents, the stress never stops. The good news is that there are several ways to keep stress levels at the barest minimum. We’ve listed a few tips below.
Use The Help Of Efficient Tools
Time is always crucial for many people simultaneously caring for elderly family members and their kids. There’s always something to do in record time, like sorting out your parent’s subscription medicine while filling out your youngest’s lunchbox for school. While doing this, a call may be coming through in the next five minutes for a business presentation you’ve had no time to prepare for (that’s even if you get the chance to work remotely).
For this reason, it’s important to always be organized and focused on your tasks and responsibilities. Using an effective computer to help you do more work without time lag can be as helpful as strolling your elderly in the best wheelchair possible. You can find various options for the latter via the website mobilitysolutions.co.uk.
Rest As Much As Possible
Surviving as a middle-aged working adult in any part of the world is no easy task. If you have to double that up with parents, you know there’s barely any time for rest. One minute you’re at work; the next minute, you need to attend a parents’ day at school or honor your pharmacy appointment to collect a new set of medication.
It’s tempting to put your well-being aside to ensure you’re up to the task all the time. However, rest is non-negotiable. Resting is not an activity you indulge in when you want to. Having enough rest can benefit your overall health and ensure that you have a sharp brain for the tasks ahead. Adequate rest also affords you an ideal time to look at things from a neutral perspective, helping you assess yourself and make better decisions going forward.
Don’t Blame Yourself
Is it your fault you have elderly parents to cater for? Is it a mistake that your kids demand the care they do? The answer to both questions should be a hard “No.” But that’s not even the point. Have you realized that whatever answer you settle with doesn’t negate the responsibility of the former or latter?
Guilt passes as one of the most emotions we experience. But most people keep running back to this emotion even though it does nothing to calm them or solve the problem at hand. No one chooses to be caught up in a sandwich generation. It’s easy to feel the pressure coming from all angles. But the more you give in to feeling guilty, the less powerful you become in facing your realities head-on.
First, acknowledge that whatever effort you’re putting across in support of your home and elderly parents counts. The thought of how important what you do can help you battle guilt and cope with all the challenges of taking care of your children and parents.
Be Open To Help From Others
Having a healthy support system around you as a parent and caregiver is crucial. It’s important to open yourself up to assistance from all angels. Remember that you can’t shoulder everything in attending to both worlds, and accessing help from trusted people around you can never be missed. The help can come in the form of assistance from friends and family, or from a home care agency near me in Philadelphia or wherever you happen to live.
Generally, kids are as special as the parents who facilitated a huge part of your growth. Giving these two people enough attention can only be right, even though it’s no easy task. These tips should help the journey be a little more manageable.