5 Simple Self-Care Practices for Caregivers of Seniors in Palliative Care

Last updated on September 26th, 2022 at 11:12 pm

As a caregiver of an ill or aging parent, you spend every waking moment making sure their physical and emotional needs are being met. But what about your own? 

Burnout is an all too real possibility if you don’t take time for yourself. To help you better cope with the responsbility you’ve taken on, here are five simple self-care ideas for caregivers of seniors in palliative care.   

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Self-Care Ideas for Caregivers of Seniors in Palliative Care

1. Learn How to Delegate

It’s hard to take a step back when caring for a loved one. You might feel like you’re letting them down by taking time for yourself. 

In reality, it’s one of the best things you can do for yourself and your aging parent. 

The trick is having a support system you can rely on so that you don’t feel guilty about taking a much-needed break. You can find this assistance in compassionate health care professionals who treat your loved ones with dignity as they receive end-of-life care. 

Holistic palliative care for seniors includes visits from experienced Registered Nurses, Registered Practical Nurses, Personal Support Workers, Physiotherapists, and Registered Massage Therapists to meet all your parent’s needs. 

Once you find a home health care provider you can trust, you can rely on their health care team to reduce pain, stress, and other symptoms while you’re away—whether it’s to spot you for part of the day or as live-in caregivers providing 24/7 care. 

2. Get out in Nature

Carve out time in your day to enjoy the outdoors—whether it’s to soak up some sun in solitude or walk along a trail. Studies show time spent outside in a green space can reduce feelings of fatigue, depression, and anxiety.

Some doctors say it’s because getting out in nature usually combines physical activity and something social, like going for a hike with a friend. Others believe nature can reset the mind-body connection. 

3. Find Time to Be Active

As mentioned above, physical activity plays a large role in mental health. Working up a sweat floods your body with endorphins, the feel-good hormones that are the chemical source of happiness. 

You might know it as the runner’s high, but any aerobic activity can release those same endorphins and help you better manage stress. 

While you can walk or practice yoga to find some inner peace, don’t overlook high-intensity workouts. Kickboxing and HIIT help channel your stress in a healthy way to blow off steam. 

4. Meet with a Professional

Caregivers of seniors in palliative care carry a considerable weight on their shoulders. It can be a struggle to cope with the thoughts, emotions, and even resentments that come with taking care of an ailing loved one. 

Luckily, you don’t have to bear the burden on your own. You can find health care professionals who specialize in helping caregivers and grieving individuals. 

A counselor provides a non-judgemental space to talk about these feelings while giving you techniques to process your emotions in a healthy way. They can also give you the tools you need to be more present in the moment and less stressed as you support your loved one. 

5. Treat Yourself to a Massage

If you’re finding it hard to relax on your own, book a massage with a Registered Massage Therapist. These professionals know how to manipulate your body to release muscle tensions, improve circulation, and rebalance your hormones.

Besides feeling good, massage therapy can help you reduce stress. Just a 10-minute massage can reduce your stress hormone levels by 31%, according to one study.

While these five tips certainly aren’t the only ways to invest in self care, they’re definitely a good start! All caregivers of seniors in palliative care should give themselves permission to take time out for their own mental and physical well-being.

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