One of the hardest parts of being a caregiver, whether you’re a close relative or just a hired one, is seeing your beloved senior succumb to their diseases and ultimately, death. It must be the slowest, most painful part of it, however, caregivers should be the last to give up as their loved-one is most likely be getting strength from them all the way to the final stages of their lives. This puts caregivers into a difficult and truly emotional position.
These are the times when caregivers should apply coping techniques to make them stronger than they truly are. While it is bad to fool yourself into believing everything will be alright, sometimes, caregivers need to do that and more just to be able to make it through the day. Here are some more coping tips for caregivers to try:
·    Talk with someone. Talking does wonders especially under stressful situations like this. You need this person to listen to you and offer advice if needed. He or she should be your sounding board, a person you trust.
·    Accept reality. Yes it’s hard but the earliest you accept it, the better you’ll cope with the situation. Also, knowing where you are right now and being certain of what’s in store for your senior will help you make a better decision in the future.
·    Respect your senior’s decisions. They may seem bizarre and unacceptable at times but if it’s what your senior wants then by all means, give it! Always acknowledge the fact that you and your senior can never have the same opinions in each and every issue that will come your way.
·    Acknowledge disappointments and allow mourning. Having to undergo continuous medications, treatments and whatnot can be frustrating at times, especially if they were done in vain. These things you need to accept and move on. Bear in mind that there are indeed things you cannot control.
·    Make new happy memories with your senior. It’s never too late to make one. Surprise him or her with an impromptu get together party with close friends and relatives, if your senior is up for it or perhaps visit a place where he or she is at their most peaceful.
·    Be more in-tune with yourself. By identifying your emotional reactions to different kinds of situation, you are better equipped in dealing with them.
·    Take time to smell the flowers. This will remind you that there is life outside of caregiving. For some, it may bring about feelings of guilt but it will help you hope for a brighter future than dwell on the fact that you are losing a loved-one.