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Managing Stress for Adult Child Caregivers

Being an adult child caregiver isn’t easy. Not only do they handle high levels of stress and anxiety while taking care of their loved ones, but they also have to try to balance their own lives. This means that they’ll most likely put their needs on the back burner to ensure their loved ones get the best care possible.

We created the following guide because we wanted to make sure that adult child caregivers know they aren’t alone, and that there are ways to make their experiences a bit more manageable. So, make sure to keep it with you or pass it along to someone else who might need it!

Tips for Handling Caregiver Stress

1. Set Realistic Goals

Here’s the truth: you can only get so much done in one day and that’s absolutely fine! Instead of trying to tackle everything on your task list while taking care of your loved one, break those tasks into smaller, digestible steps. From here, you’ll be able to prioritize, schedule, and just be more efficient with the time you have without feeling like you’re not hustling enough to get everything done.

2. Accept Help

Accepting help from those close to you can alleviate some of the pressure you’re feeling. Don’t be afraid to ask a friend or family member to spend some time with the older adult you’re caring for so that you can knock out some of your daily tasks or just get a quick break. You’ll need to make sure to create a list of things that the older adult likes/has the ability to do so you and your helper can always stay on the same page with care needs.

3. Set Time for Behavioral and Physical Health

Because caregiving is so taxing, you need to set goals to keep your behavioral and physical health in check. The great part about this is any health goals you create won’t interfere with your caregiving. You can tailor them as much as you need to fit your schedule.

Some health goals you can consider setting include:

  • Drinking more water
  • Finding more opportunities to be more physically active
  • Creating a better sleep schedule
  • Taking more time to mentally unplug
  • Making healthier meal choices

4. Connect with Local Support

Utilizing local support groups and services is crucial for caregivers because they can provide encouragement and allow you to discover new strategies from others that can make caring for a loved one a bit easier. 

To find a caregiver support group, check out online resources and places like churches, community centers, etc.

Additional Resources

Signs of Caregiver Burnout and How to Prevent it

Physical and Mental Health Effects of Family Caregiving



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