Losing your patience and snapping at your senior or at other people is a completely human reaction. It’s a reaction that can make you feel terrible, though, especially if you hurt your senior’s feelings in the process.

Start to Pay Attention to When and Why You Lose Your Patience 

When and why are you losing your patience? There is a specific set of criteria, you just have to narrow them down. If your elderly family member responds in ways that make tasks more difficult, that could be one of your triggers. Or you might find that when you’re not taking care of yourself, it’s more difficult to hold onto your patience. The key is starting to see what those patterns are for you.

What Helps When Your Patience Is Tested? 

Once you know what sets you off, it’s time to look at what helps you during those times. For some people, stopping and counting to ten is a powerful way to get themselves back under control. Others find that deep breathing exercises help. Having a more structured schedule might keep your patience under better control. Sit down and brainstorm ways to help you to feel less frustrated and then put those steps into action.

When You’re Wrong, Admit It 

You’re human and you’re going to make mistakes as a caregiver. Some of those mistakes, like losing your patience with your senior, are going to feel absolutely horrible at the moment. The best that you can do is to acknowledge that you made an error and that you do feel bad about it. You can make amends and resolve to do better. This might be a good time to look at your plan and adjust it as necessary.

Give Yourself Time Away 

Losing your patience more easily than usual is a big indicator for you. It’s a notification from your brain that you need some time away. This is where working with senior care providers can be so beneficial for you, personally. They can take over for you, which allows you to step back knowing that your elderly family member is in a safe space until you return.

The emotional stress and strain of being a caregiver take a toll on you, whether you fully realize it or not at the time. Often one of your first signs that the strain is getting to you is that you’re much quicker to respond to situations in a negative way than you have been in the past. 

If you or an aging loved-one are considering hiring Elder Care in Pleasant Hill, CA, contact the friendly staff at Home Care Professionals today.
Call (866)-940-4855

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andy@hcprosonline.com

CEO at HomeCare Professionals

Andy Howardis a Bay Area Native who holds a BA in Political Science (University of Colorado at Boulder, ’97). After college Andy worked in the surging tech industry.His Grandmother however, would suffer a significant decline in health and ultimately needed in-home care. The experience of a loved one depending on outside help to age in place proved to be pivotal for Andy as he left the tech industry in 2002 for an opportunity in the home care world with a large provider. After having success in home care, but being frustrated by corporate constraints Andy founded HomeCare Professionals in 2005.He methodically built the company one client at a time by focusing on hiring quality caregivers to ensure positive outcomes. Currently Andy serves as the CEO of HomeCare Professionals and is also highly active in the non-profit organization California Association of Health Services at Home (CAHSAH) which advocates for a higher standard of in-home care for those who wish to remain living at home in California.

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