This is a sponsored post.
I need a vacation. As the caregiver of my mother, getting away for at least a few days, helps relieve stress. At the same time, it causes me stress. I worry about my mother’s safety I’m gone. But, there are ways to be sure that your elderly relatives are safe while you travel.
Before I travel, I prepare. My mother’s home is filled with groceries, especially easy to prepare meals. I can’t forget cat food too! I make sure her prescriptions are up to date and either find a ride for her doctors’ appointments or cancel them. The most important of all, I inform neighbors and friends that she will be alone and give them my cell phone number.
I call the in-home care service that took care of my mom after her brain surgery for information. My mother has made it clear that she won’t accept their help, so nothing is set up. But taking along their phone number with me as I travel gives me peace of mind. During my trips, I call every day to check on my mom. If she says anything remotely that concerns me, I make a call to her neighbor to check on her.
Besides feeling anxious about leaving my mother behind as I travel, I admit that I feel guilty. This is an emotion that is hard to break, but as I work on it I have come to a realization – it’s actually good for both of us to be apart for a short time. I am less likely to lose my temper and feel resentment towards my mom.
In just a few days, my family and I are going on a 10 day road trip. I have followed all of the steps above to keep my mother safe while I travel. As our vacation days go along, the stress I feel will subside and I’ll come home a better caregiver.
For more information on being a caregiver, visit the Caregiver Resource Center from AARP.
I am part of AARP’s kitchen cabinet on caregiving. This is a series of posts on the topic of caregiving. This post and my social media involvement is compensated, but all opinions are my own.
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