Caring For My Elderly Mother Is Killing Me: Stop Caregiver Stress (2024)

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Caring For My Elderly Mother Is Killing Me: Stop Caregiver Stress (1)

Help!! My Elderly Mother Is Consuming My Life!!

The responsibility of looking after my aging mother was taking a significant toll on me. The demands of managing her medical needs, daily needs, and emotional health is becoming overwhelming.

This intense level of stress and burnout is leading to considerable physical and emotional strain on my part. I never thought the challenges of caregiving could be so difficult.

Caregiver Stress Syndrome is a term used to describe the physical, emotional, and psychological strain experienced by individuals (especially a sole caregiver) who are providing care for a loved one, typically an elderly or ill family member.

This syndrome (aka caregiver burnout) can manifest in various ways, including feelings of overwhelm, anxiety, depression, and physical ailments such as fatigue, sleep problems, and other health issues.

It often results from the ongoing demands of caregiving, particularly when the caregiver feels they have little control over the situation or lacks adequate support.

If you are the primary caregiver for an elderly mother and are struggling with the demands that your caregiving duties require – here are some tips on how you can overcome the stress and take back your quality of life and your mental health.

Providing care for an elderly parent, while fulfilling, can be demanding and may lead to caregiver stress. This refers to the emotional, physical, and mental strain that can impact your own health issues and well-being due to the caregiving responsibilities.

Tell me, do these comments from our readers sound familiar to you?

It has been two years since my mom was diagnosed with dementia. I am the only child so her sole caregiver. Am I a bad person for resenting caring for her?

This is a very common scenario for family caregivers who have no siblings.

It’s been a struggle from day one to take care of my mom. But at least my older brother and I are providing home care for her. But I feel I am doing most of the work. There is so much responsibility on me now; it feels like there are no breaks or time for myself. The only time I have is when she is asleep. The guilt and stress never end!

A second common scenario is that the caregiver feels that they are never doing enough. This then creates guilt and stress and self-loathing. All of these don’t do anyone any good.

Over half of caregivers surveyed by the American Psychological Association as part of their ongoing study of the impact of different stressors, reported feeling overwhelmed by the amount of care their family members needed.
Marketplace.org

Both of these types of scenarios are very common, especially with a first-time and/or full-time caregiver who tend to neglect their own mental and physical health.

Table Of Contents

How Do You Deal With The Stress Of Caring For An Elderly Parent?

For many family caregivers providing home care, they feel they have to at least try to be there for their elderly parents in some capacity. In their time of need. Even while they are working at full-time jobs and caring for their own family.

Yes, caregiving can be tough, and for some it may be very rewarding (this certainly depends on the relationship you have with your elderly parent).

But even in the most loving relationships, caregiving can take its toll. Many situations can create unbearable stress.

If you’ve been caring for your elderly mother for a very long time.
If you are continuously being abused verbally and/or physically by the person you are caring for.
If you are juggling a job, your own family, other obligations, etc.
If you are fighting your own health battles and require medical care.

Any of these situations and more can quickly create an extremely difficult time as well as a dangerous situation both for your elderly mother and for you. Your own health can suffer for years after they have passed away.

The one thing I learned about family caregiving from my many years as an Occupational Therapist caring for seniors is that family caregivers MUST avoid becoming isolated.

…research tells us that caregivers who become socially isolated from others — perhaps because they believe they must always stay home to attend to a care recipient’s needs — become cut off from a crucial source of nurturance. That makes them worse, not more devoted, caregivers.
aarp.org

So, do what other successful caregivers have done. Take the bull by the horns and re-claim your life. You’ll be a better person in the long run and a better caregiver today.

What Are The Three Signs Of Caregiver Stress?

There are many signs of Caregiver Stress Syndrome and if you’re a part-time or full-time caregiver for an elderly adult you probably know many of them.

But these are the 3 most common:

Feeling overwhelmed and frequently worried.
Disconnecting from loved ones and loss of interest in things you used to enjoy.
Physical problems, such as headaches, upset stomach, diarrhea, trouble sleeping or sleeping too much, fatigue or weight changes.

You can read more about caregiver stress here.

Why Is Caring For Elderly Parents So Hard?

It’s no secret that caring for elderly parents is one of the most difficult things a person can do. It’s a full-time job, and it can be emotionally and physically draining.

I certainly know that both Robin and I found caring for our parents extremely frustrating and stressful.

Here are some of the reasons why it can be so hard:

1. You’re constantly worried about them.

Whether it’s worrying about their health, their safety, or their overall well-being, it’s tough to relax when you’re constantly thinking about your elderly parents.

2. You feel guilty when you’re not with them.

Even if you’re just running errands or taking a break, you can’t help but feel guilty when you’re not with your parents. After all, they need you.

3. You have to give up your own life.

In order to care for your parents, you have to sacrifice your own time, energy, and sometimes even your own career. It’s not easy to put your own life on hold, and sometimes it’s literally impossible to do so.

4. You feel like you’re failing them.

No matter how hard you try, you can’t help but feel like you’re a bad person and that you’re failing your parents. You see them struggling and it feels like there’s nothing you can do to make it better.

5. You worry about the future.

Constantly caring for your elderly parents can be exhausting, both physically and emotionally. And, it’s natural to worry about what will happen to them when you’re no longer around.

If you’re struggling to care for your elderly parents, know that you’re not alone. So, don’t beat yourself up, don’t give up.

Look for others that are in similar situations. Their support can help you through this. And most of all, remember that this time in your life is temporary.

27 Tips On Caring For Your Mother and Yourself

Successful caregivers know that in order to avoid the damage caused by chronic stress, it is important to set realistic expectations for yourself.

This involves understanding your limits and acknowledging that you cannot do everything on your own. It’s about setting achievable goals in terms of the care you can provide and the time you can dedicate.

This also means accepting that it’s okay to ask for help when needed, whether from other family members, friends, or professional caregivers. It’s essential to prioritize self-care and ensure you’re taking time to rest and recharge.

By setting realistic expectations, you can better manage your stress levels, prevent burnout, and ultimately provide better care for your elderly loved one.

1. Take time for yourself – This might seem counterintuitive, but it’s important to take time away from your mother and spend some time on you. Try to get enough sleep (I know that can be difficult) so that you can care for her when she needs it most!

If you didn’t get at least 7 to 8 hours of sleep last night or the night before – then it’s time to reconsider your current situation.

2. Don’t be afraid of asking for help – You are not alone in this, many caregivers have a hard time asking for help. The last thing that you want to do is put undue pressure on yourself or your elderly mother by trying to be the only caregiver in her life.

If there are younger brothers or sisters or other siblings, family members and friends who could provide some help, make sure they’re being asked for it! Reach out for additional care services wherever and whenever you can.

Look into what care agencies are in your area and what they can provide you with.

Also, don’t be afraid to look into long-term care options.

3. Change up her diet – Try to make sure that your mother is eating a healthy, balanced diet that will sustain her throughout the day. If she is having trouble with chewing or swallowing, it might be time to find some easy-to-eat foods for her!

4. Keep an eye on your mother’s medications – It can be difficult to keep track of all meds and dosages for most of us but especially elderly people.

If she starts to forget doses or takes too many, be vigilant and watch out for side effects like confusion and dizziness. Medication reminders like these may help.

5. Set limits – Be sure to set clear boundaries with your elderly mother about what you will be able to handle during the day.

The more you try to take on, the worse things will get! Make sure to let her know that she can only make phone calls to you within certain times of the day. This will help to avoid the constant phone calling so many elderly parents do.

6. If possible, give her some free time – It is important to give your mother the opportunity to be as independent as she can be. She will feel better and you’ll have a chance to do something for yourself too!

7. Get help from professionals – If you are caring for an elderly loved one, it’s ok to hire help. It can be anything from someone to come in and clean the house to someone to sit with your mother while you shop to someone actually caring for your mother’s personal needs.

8. Stay Healthy – You can’t take care of someone else if you are running on empty! Even though it may be difficult at times, try to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Talk to your doctor and other medical professionals who can help you to create a self-care plan during this time.

9. Take care of yourself first – The caregiver is the one who needs to be cared for as well!

Spend time alone, in your own place doing things you enjoy and make sure that your family knows how important it is so they do not take advantage of you or feel guilty about asking for assistance themselves.

10. Take a break – as often as you can! Even 15 – 20 minutes of listening to music, taking a walk around the block can help. It’s the little things done multiple times a day that can be very beneficial.

11. Deep breaths – Caregiving can be an incredibly stressful job and sometimes the only thing you can do is take a few deep breaths.

Taking some moments to just focus on your breath and clear your mind of worries will help you reset. It’s important to make sure that you are taking care of yourself mentally as well as physically.

12. Exercise – It is important to maintain your physical fitness as well. Being active will help you stay healthy and feel better emotionally.

Take a walk, go for a swim, ride or cycle with friends or family members who share the same interest in order to have some fun while getting exercise done!

13. Spend time with friends – Spending more time to nurture and develop relationships will provide you with the opportunity to get a break from caregiving and reduce your stress. Call your best friend for lunch every month or so!

14. Participate in social activities away from your mother – If you are not working full time, consider volunteering for a charity or cause that is important to you – It’s just one way of feeling better about yourself while helping others out!

15. Keep an eye on your financial matters – Too often, part of caregiving includes using your own money to purchase products and/or services for your elderly mother or parent.

You don’t want to drain your own savings (if you can help it) so keep track of what you are spending your hard earned savings on.

16. Consider taking a break from your caregiving tasks – Find someone else who can help out in order to give yourself an opportunity to get away and recharge. A weekend would be wonderful but even one night away can help you to recharge.

17. Consider professional help – Breaking free from caregiving can be done if you identify the best sources of assistance.

Seek out additional care services (i.e. health aide) for yourself to help you deal with the stress and guilt most always associated with caring for our senior parents.

Find respite care so that you can share the workload that comes with caring for someone or hire a CNA or professional caregiver (read about the difference here).

18. Get a pet – Pets can provide you with companionship and reduce stress. As long as your mother is not allergic to whatever pet you choose, of course.

But, be aware that pets will make more work for you because they’ll need to be walked (or the litter box will need cleaning), feeding, bathing, etc.

19. Share your feelings with friends, family or caregiving professionals – Talk to your circle of older adults, family, clergy, etc. Read inspirational quotes. Share your thoughts online via Facebook support groups.

While it’s good to have an in-person connection, it can be just as helpful to video chat or message with others who are going through the same thing as you.

That’s what drove one couple to start the Parenting Aging Parents Facebook group. It’s for helping adult children find information about dealing “with medical problems, financial situations, life insurance, health insurance, Covid, Alzheimer’s, and more.“

Watch this ClickOrlando video to learn more about the group or visit them on Facebook.

20. Take time to create memories – Caregivers often feel like they are running out of time to spend with their older parents. This plays into the guilt. So, begin a good time project of “interviewing” your elderly mother and asking her questions about her life.

Film it if you like. Create a journal of her stories. Sift through photos and create a scrapbook of her life to be shared with the family.

21. Try relaxation techniques – Relaxation is an essential strategy for reducing stress because stress often leads to poor health outcomes.

22. Reach out for support – It can be difficult to cope with the constant stress and emotional demands of caring for an elder parent without help. Consider hiring an aide to help with things like bathing, changing adult diapers and catheters, etc.

23. Utilize community resources for caregivers – I’m talking about support groups. If you can find a local support group, I would highly encourage you to make it a part of your life as soon as possible.

You will be able to express your feelings and frustrations with others who understand you. Plus, you may learn a few tips from others as well.

24. Find a counselor – Caring for an elderly loved one is often one of the most difficult tasks any person will do in their lifetime.

So, getting help from a professional counselor, psychologist can help you tremendously to deal with the stress and depression that are so very common amongst caregivers.

Speak to him/her about this fairly new therapy technique called Mentalizing Imagery Therapy. It may be just the right thing to help you.

Look into the resources from a nonprofit organization. There are many to choose from like the Parkinson’s Foundation, The Caregiver Foundation, Caregiver Wellness Retreats and many more.

These resources can be specific to whatever health problems your mother (or father) are dealing with or they can be more generalized. I’m sure you can find help from several of them.

Here is our video about reducing stress via a caregiver support group:

25. Caring for someone with dementia or Alzheimer’s disease – Undoubtedly, if your elderly mother is exhibiting signs of dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, or severe mental health issues, both of you will face unique challenges and have specific needs to address.

This is when it’s extremely important to get as much professional help as possible or strongly consider placement in a nursing home type of facility.

26. Don’t discount Hospice help – Too many families wait until the last few days or weeks to contact Hospice for help because they think of that program as an “end of life” service. But that is very, very wrong.

Hospice provides comfort care for persons who are living with a terminal illness from which there is no available treatment. Medications and supplies can sometimes be delivered as soon as that same day or the very next day.

My mother’s hospice social worker and nurse both told us that they have had patients under their care for up to 3 years! That’s a lot of support and care so don’t discount it!

Speak to your mother’s primary care doctors about hospice and don’t be surprised if they initially turn you down.

My mother’s doctor told us my mother was “…extremely healthy and doesn’t need hospice.” But we insisted and it ended up being the best decision and truthfully, the best 4 months of my mother’s life in many, many years.

27. Be Flexible – Finally, the last tip that I can give you is to be flexible, this is especially true if you are the kind of person who likes to be in control.

Or, if you like things to go as you planned them. This part may be the most difficult for you but do all you can to not stress over it.

The truth is, you will have to learn to go with the flow, take each moment as it comes and do your best to deal with the here and now.

How Do You Deal With A Toxic Elderly Mother?

Caring for an elderly mother with whom you do not have a good relationship can literally drive you to drink. Believe me, I have been there. You need much more than just good luck to survive it.

And no, you are not a bad person, or an awful person, or a horrible person or even a terrible person if you find it difficult to be with your mother. So, stop telling yourself that!

It is difficult to have a good relationship with anyone who has been so toxic to you. Her bitterness, resentfulness, and anger were there last year and the years before. And I hate to tell you, it will probably be there next year too.

The question then becomes how do you go about caring for an elderly mother who does not care about your feelings? Who says terrible things to you continuously?

Set Boundaries From The Start

Using the “Detaching With Love” technique that Al-Anon members are taught can help you to properly set up the kind of boundaries that you need in order to survive caregiving for your elderly mother.

Detaching involves four key concepts: (source Psychcentral.com)

Having appropriate boundaries
Accepting reality
Being in the present, not the past or future
Taking responsibility for our feelings and needs

The basic idea is to let go and take control of your own feelings, your own thoughts and essentially become in charge of your own life – not theirs.

You let go of past indiscretions, hate, and anger.
You let go of your mother’s problems and issues.
You stop reacting to her comments and actions.
You stop obsessing about her and worrying about her.
And finally, you let go of the expectation that your mother’s behavior will change.

My siblings and I went through this with our own mother. In order to survive caring for her – we had to do our best to accept that as much as we had always wanted a loving mother – she simply wasn’t capable of giving us that.

We had to accept her limitations and realize that she was angry at life, at herself, at her decisions and everything else – including us.

We did our best to care for her in as loving a manner as we could – in spite of the verbal lashings and truly hateful words. She was in emotional pain and did not know how to get out of it. The same may be true with your own mother.

For spiritual support, read our article Bible Verses For Caregivers (Scriptures For Encouragement).

Another article that may help you is How To Handle Caregiver Resentment and Anger

Can Being A Caregiver Kill You?

Although caregiving won’t literally put a knife in your heart or shoot a bullet into you killing you – there are many other ways that caring for an elderly parent can cause you much harm now and in the future.

The average caregiver is a 49-year-old woman who works outside the home and provides at least 20 hours a week of unpaid care to her aging parent, according to the latest data from the Family Caregiving Alliance.
msxfactor.com

I am part of the Baby Boomer generation and as such am seeing many friends and family dealing with the stress and strain that comes with caring for an elderly parent.

Because medicine and technology are advancing so quickly, our parents are living much longer than their parents did and as a result, we are caring for our parents well into our own retirement years. In fact, “34% of caregivers are 65+ years old“. (source: caregiver.org)

The stress of caring for an elderly mother or father for so many years, sometimes decades can certainly wreak havoc on someone’s physical and emotional being.

A study conducted at Ohio State University in 2003 found…

…significant deterioration in the health of caregivers and a 63% higher death rate than the similar group of non-caregivers. The continuous demands placed on an adult child caring for an aging parent can induce illness and depression, limit the effectiveness of the caregiver, and even lead to premature death.dd
planwithheritage.com

It all has to do with the impact of stress on the body. That’s why it’s so very, very, very important for caregivers to care for themselves first.

What To Do When You Can No Longer Care For An Elderly Parent?

At some point, most caregivers come to the realization that they simply can’t continue and that their health, their finances and their own families simply can’t endure the pain and suffering any longer and that it’s time to let go.

Believe me, it’s not an easy decision. But after decades of seeing this scenario unfold hundreds of times with my patients, family and friends I can honestly say that it’s a healthy decision, for everyone involved.

“Other people don’t always like or understand our decisions,” says Steven Zarit, a professor in the human development and family studies department at Pennsylvania State University and a caregiver support group leader. “We all have limits on what we are able to do, and if we have done the best we can and can’t go on, we shouldn’t feel guilty.”
aplaceformom.com

So what are the steps to begin disengaging?

#1 – Get the professional help/counseling that you need to learn the skills and muster the strength to implement your new plan.

#2 – Let everyone know of your decision and your new approach.

#3 – Make the decision of how your elderly mother will be taken care of. Will it be by a private aide at her home? Will it be at a facility? Perhaps another family member?

*Here’s how to talk to an elderly parent about moving into assisted living.

#4 – Use a Geriatric Care Manager to help you with these decisions.

It is important to take time for yourself, even if it feels like you have no spare moments. Be sure to find ways that work best for YOU – finding balance doesn’t mean doing everything at once; it just means making choices about what’s important right now.

Taking care of an elderly mother may feels at time like it’s going to kill you – and it certainly can – if you let it.

Follow the tips in this article and you’ll be well on your way to making this part of your life, the caregiving part, as pleasant as it can be.

5 Resources You May Find Useful

Here are five resources that I would recommend to anyone who is looking to break out of the emotional dungeon that caregiving can put you in.

A great book that may be useful for you and that’s been recommended several times is Set Boundaries, Find Peace – A Guide To Reclaiming Yourself by Nedra Glover Tawwab
The second resource is a podcast titled Master The Art Of Boundaries.
Another resource, that’s free is the Family Caregiver Support Program.
I personally love books, they have helped me through many of life’s struggles so here’s a list of some of the best books for caregivers that you can get help from.
Community resources can be an excellent option depending on where you live. You can find respite care for yourself through multiple community activities.