Balancing Act: Taking Care of Parents and School-Aged Children

If your days are full of managing a home, working, parenting, taking care of parents, and attempting to squeeze in time for yourself while nurturing other relationships, welcome to the sandwich generation! Comprised of those ages 35 – 54 who are “sandwiched” between meeting the needs of children at home and taking care of parents, it will not come as a surprise to you that this segment of the population of individuals is facing higher levels of stress than any other, with approximately 40 percent reporting extreme degrees of stress.

Katherine Nordal, PhD, executive director for professional practice, American Psychological Association, shares, “It’s not surprising that so many people in that age group are experiencing stress. The worry of your parents’ health, and your children’s well-being as well as the financial concern of putting kids through college and saving for your own retirement is a lot to handle.”

It’s crucial to take the appropriate steps to lower stress levels, as long-term stress may lead to heart problems, high blood pressure, depression, and diabetes, along with other serious health problems. On top of that, stress can carry over and impact the loved ones you’re working so hard to care for.

Morning Glory Home Care, a provider of top-rated elder care in Edwardsville, IL and the surrounding areas, offers the following strategies to reduce stress and discover a healthier life balance:

• Identify your triggers. What exactly is it that tips the scale for you from busy to overburdened? Do your feelings of stress originate from financial concerns, relationships with your parents or children, issues at work, feeling out of control?
• Note how you respond to those triggers. As soon as you’ve recognized the source behind your elevated stress, take an honest assessment of the way you respond. Do you lose patience with your loved ones? Have a problem with falling/staying asleep, or adhering to a healthy diet plan? Rely on detrimental coping mechanisms, such as smoking or drinking?
• Make self-care a main priority. You give so much of yourself to care for your loved ones; make caring for yourself just as important. You are only able to provide the best care when your own needs are met. Set aside specific time to relax, participate in pleasant activities and hobbies, spend time with friends, exercise, etc. Your time away should be a top priority, and occur on a regular basis – if at all possible, each and every day.

If you are wondering how you can possibly carve out time for yourself with all the other commitments you are managing, we are able to help! Morning Glory Home Care is always available to provide trusted, highly skilled in-home respite care services – as much or as little as needed – to allow family caregivers peace of mind in knowing their older family members will be well cared for while they take needed time to step away.

Our fully trained and experienced senior caregivers are ready and waiting to help you lessen your stress and discover a better quality of life, both for yourself and those you care about. Contact us at 618-667-8400 to learn more about our trusted elder care in Alton, IL and the surrounding areas.