Many people may be feeling a little relieved now that they’ve been certified for long-term care insurance and have started using the services. However, providing care is like running a marathon. Even if you can get through it with sheer willpower right after you start, as time goes on..."Huh? I'm starting to feel a little tired..."There are more and more situations where I feel that way.
I should be able to push myself a little harder.
I should still be able to watch over her—.
Isn’t that what you keep telling yourself? The accumulation of those “just a little more” moments can suddenly, one day, push the caregiver beyond their limits. In the second installment of this series, “Caring for Parents: A Guide to the Road Ahead,” we explore what’s truly necessary to continue providing care over the long term."Letting Go the Right Way"——I’ll talk about how to make the most of short-stay and day care services.
1. Breaking Free from the "I Have to Do It" Trap
The biggest challenge in home care is actually..."Sense of Responsibility"That may be true. The love that drives you to think, “I want to do everything for them myself—from bathing to eating to using the restroom,” is wonderful. However, it’s impossible for anyone to provide perfect care 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
The basic rules of caregiving are:"Enlist the help of professionals to ease the burden on your family"That’s the point. The person enjoys themselves at the day care center, and their family gets a good night’s sleep during the short-term stay. It’s precisely because of this “time apart” that they can welcome each other back with a smile, saying, “Welcome home.”
2. Two Tools for "Breaks" You Should Know About
"Day care" and "short-term stays." The key to managing home care successfully is finding the right balance between these two. Let's start by clarifying the differences.
| Services | feature | At a time like this |
|---|---|---|
| nursing in the home (Day Trip) | Participants attend the facility during the day to receive meals, bathing assistance, and recreational activities. There are also facilities specializing in rehabilitation. | Helping the Individual Build Connections with Society / When Family Members Want to Make Time for Themselves |
| short stay (Short-term Stay) | I'll stay at the facility for a few days to receive care. | When a caregiver needs a break, wants to go on a trip, has to handle an urgent matter, or needs a block of time for other reasons |
Day care serves as a "connection to society" and provides families with "time to themselves." Short-term stays are available when you're feeling overwhelmed or have an urgent matter to attend to.The Most Reliable PersonIt is.
3. “Choosing the Right Tool for the Job” Brings Ease to Your Daily Life
You don't have to push yourself to the limit right from the start. Here are two tips for sticking with it successfully:
- Use "preventively"
Instead of waiting until you’re exhausted to take a break, set a schedule from the start—such as “Every Tuesday is day care day.” Avoiding the buildup of fatigue is the best way to protect your mental well-being as a caregiver. - Use this as practice for "just in case" situations
If you start using short-stay services while the person is still in good health, they’ll be able to adjust smoothly to the facility even in emergencies, such as when a family member falls ill or when there’s a series of weddings, funerals, and other ceremonies.
4. To protect your mental health, seek professional help
There’s absolutely no need to feel guilty, thinking, “I can still do this on my own, so why rely on a facility…?” Receiving appropriate rehabilitation and care at a facility staffed by professionals is beneficial for the person themselves as well—"Vibrant Moments"will be.
Lately, I feel like I've been giving up on my personal time and the things I enjoy...
If that's how you feel, it's time to talk to your care manager.
- Review of the Care Plan/ Try being honest with your care manager and telling them, “The current workload is a bit much for me” or “I’d like to take more breaks.”
- Collaboration Between Healthcare and Social Welfare/Our group can provide comprehensive advice on daily activities and health management in collaboration with Uchida Hospital.
Before you are a “caregiver,” you are a person living your own life. Taking time—even just a few hours—to “step away from caregiving” is by no means a luxury. It is essential for you to continue providing care with love in the future."Recharging Your Spirit""Today is a day off. I'll take it easy for a bit"—may there be more days like this, even if just once a week. Why don't we work together to create a care plan that protects your well-being?
＼ Please feel free to contact us if you have any problems ／.
Medical Corporation Daiseikai, Uchida Hospital, Community Healthcare Coordination Office
(TEL) 0278-24-5329
Uchida Home Care Office
(TEL) 0278-23-7535
