We’re going to talk about something a little different today. Many of us have aging relatives, and often the care is landing on our shoulders. Anyone who has fulfilled the role of a carer will know that it’s a very demanding job. Hundreds of thousands of people do it every year to raise the quality of life of those they love or are responsible for. Unfortunately, when we’re focused on someone else’s wellbeing, ours often falls by the wayside.

Is it possible to care for a relative while enjoying your own life and taking care of yourself, too?

Divide the Responsibilities, if Possible

Time management and dividing the responsibilities you have with those who may also wish to help can be a great idea. Perhaps you’re the only sibling out of your family who can look after your relative most of the time, but your brother is happy to do all of the grocery shopping and help to pay the bills each month. Dividing responsibility not only saves you time, it helps you become better at the tasks you do have.

Use a Care Service, as Necessary

It’s also a great idea to use a care service, if you need to. This may involve sourcing long term care insurance to make sure that if necessary, or if the situation gets worse, you have that help you need. It might be that bringing your parent or relative into a specialized care home is necessary. After all, it’s important to recognize the limits of your own caring potential. It might be that your relative has a condition that takes specialist training to alleviate and help. Don’t be wedded to your position as a carer, as it’s the caring itself that matters no matter what reliable source it comes from.

Implement All the Additional Help You May Be Entitled to

You don’t have to walk this path alone and feel that you have no help. Services are available, and you may be shocked as to what your relative is entitled to. In some cases, free meals on wheels services can help you avoid needing to cook, while weekly trips organized by local charities can help your relative get out of the house, and of course, you may also be entitled to a certain classification of welfare thanks to your relative’s inability to work.

With this advice, I hope that you’ll feel more capable of caring for your relative while taking care of yourself, too.