Reflect back on your teenage years. Remember how important it was to locate a safe place to be on your own, to shut out the world, turn up the music, and record your most secret thoughts in your journal?
The need for privacy that began then can become overshadowed when providing care for someone else. Yet it is still extremely important to be able to separate yourself both mentally and physically from your caregiving role to take time for yourself.
How Can I Prioritize Caregiver Privacy?
Truthfully, it isn’t always easy. You may feel as if you need to always have at least one ear and eye open to the needs of the individual in your care. There are some steps you can take to help, however. Try:
- Determining house rules. In shared living spaces, develop a few basic rules of etiquette that are fair for everyone. For instance, take turns choosing television shows to watch, so one person is not monopolizing the remote. Compromises such as this can make time together less stressful for all.
- Designating a spot of privacy for both yourself and the older adult. After all, they need privacy as much as you do. Agree that whenever either of you needs some time alone, you can retreat to your chosen spot and only interrupt one another in case of an emergency.
- Considering emotional privacy. Be sure to take regular breaks from care that enable you time to detach completely from your caregiving role. Go on getaways, attend events and activities with other close friends and family members, or take a novel to the park for a stress-free afternoon. Serenity Home Care’s care experts are always readily available to fill your caregiving shoes as you take some time for self-care.
Special Considerations for Dementia
If the person in your care is having difficulties with the challenges of dementia, finding privacy becomes more challenging – and even more vital to obtain. The individual may require 24/7 oversight to ensure safety, but this doesn’t mean that you should (or can) provide that level of care yourself.
We often hear from primary family caregivers that there isn’t anyone in their circle of friends and family who knows the senior or the requirements of dementia care sufficiently to assist. This is when our highly trained and experienced dementia caregivers are an invaluable component of your care team. We can partner with you to guarantee the consistent, skilled, reliable care a person with dementia needs, while you take the regular breaks from care you need.
Contact us online or at 250.590.8098 for further caregiving tips and assistance in finding a healthy life balance. Our personalized home care services are offered in Victoria, Oak Bay, Saanich, and the surrounding areas.