While during a pandemic like COVID-19, it is a challenging task to provide quality care to a loved one, caregivers are doing the same for their family members or friends by overcoming all the hurdles. Yes, there is a lot of anxiety on how to stay protected from this highly infectious disease or how to keep their care recipient safe. There is a lot of stress because of dwindling finances and social distancing. So, if you are a caregiver and feeling hopeless or anxious, here are some proven ways to reduce them.
Create a plan
Much of the anxiety is due to the fear of what will happen to your loved one if you become COVID positive. So, create a contingency plan and discuss with your family members who will take the responsibility of becoming a caregiver in such a case. Keep all the emergency numbers and the medical history of your loved one in one place so that the new caregiver does not experience any inconvenience due to a lack of information.
Stay informed
With the new research findings related to coronavirus, it is vital to stay informed because the safety recommendations or practices may change with time. So, listen to the advice of the national and your local authorities. On social media, rely on the latest news from the World Health Organization (WHO).
Don’t believe on rumors
While social media is essential to stay connected with your friends, don’t believe on rumors spread by various self-proclaimed health experts on social media. Try to minimize the newsfeed related to COVID-19 to stay away from unscientific advice.
Practice self –care
The current situation is one that you have encountered ever before. So, do not neglect self-care to reduce your anxiety. Try to squeeze out some time to indulge in exercising or to connect with your friends on video calls. You can take the help of caregiving gadgets to have more time to indulge in self-care activities.
Seek support
If you are anxious because of the increasing number of caregiving tasks than you can actually handle, don’t hesitate to seek support. You can discuss your problem with your family members, friends, colleagues, or even neighbors. There are several support groups and community organizations that can help you in this regard.
You must also listen to positive stories to stay positive during these tough times. Try to be hopeful for a better future. Remember that pandemic has added a lot more stress and anxiety for caregivers, but it is not impossible to overcome the same with determination and support from loved ones.