It’s hard to admit but even harder to avoid. Becoming bored with your role as family caregiver is a very common response to spending a great deal of time together, completing exactly the same tasks, participating in exactly the same activities, and running out of interesting conversation topics. This is not by any means associated with your feelings for the individual in your care. In fact, they could be feeling just as tired of a stagnant caregiver routine.
How can you breathe fresh life into your caregiving routine? Our care team has ideas you can implement.
Tap Into Your Imagination. Remember creating imaginary worlds of play as children? It can be just as fun as an adult! As you’re waiting at the doctor’s office, take a look at the people around you, and then try to imagine an extraordinary story of their lives. Challenge an aging loved one to do the same, and then share your stories on the drive home. Practicing mindfulness is another strategy to fully engage in the moment instead of dully observing from the sidelines. Use all five senses to experience your surroundings in a new and interesting way.
Plan Something Fun. Brainstorm ideas for fun outings or new experiences in your caregiver routine that you can plan along with your family member. These could be as simple as trying a new café in town or traveling to a destination they have always wished to visit but never had the chance to. If traveling with the older adult seems too daunting, consider bringing along a professional caregiver from Radiant Health Services! We are always available to help make dreams come true for the older adults we serve.
Escape the Norm. Take a mental walk through the routines you’ve built, and think about ways to implement changes. Have you been preparing the same bowl of cereal every morning? Try doing a quick search on the internet or pull out a few cookbooks and find an interesting new recipe to try with the loved one in your care once weekly. Instead of those morning game or talk shows, switch off the TV and take a walk together. Drive a new route to the doctor’s office or beauty shop to see some new sights.
Celebrate! Don’t wait for a birthday, anniversary, or major holiday in order to make life more interesting and fun! There are so many unique and lesser-known holidays to choose 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 during the last week of February! Or why not designate your very own? All it takes is just a little creative thinking as you look around your environment, identify something you are thankful for, and think of ways to make it the star of the day.
Let Radiant Health Services help by providing breaks from care that give both of you the opportunity for experiences outside of each other’s company, allowing for pleasurable conversations to have when you are together again. Email or call us at (240) 673-6377 to get started and to learn more about our in-home care services in Prince George’s County and nearby areas!