How Can You Get a Handle on Time Management as a Caregiver?
May 6, 2020
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When you’re a caregiver, you’re the one handling everything usually, which can lead to a long to do list that never seems to shrink. That alone can make you start to wonder about your time management and whether you’re doing something wrong.
Multitasking Is Going to Slow You Down
It always sounds like handling multiple tasks at once is going to help you to get more done, but multiple sources confirm that it actually slows down your ability to function. Multitasking slows down your thought processes and some studies suggest can actually damage your brain. Focusing on one task at a time allows you to devote your attention to that one task, so you can move onto the next one much more quickly.
Keep Your Limitations in Mind
Something that caregivers tend to forget is that they do have limitations. You only have so much energy and time and there are certain skills you have mastered. When you’re committing yourself beyond your limitations, though, that creates big problems for you. You may find that you’re more anxious about getting everything done or you could find that there’s no way that you can accomplish all that you’ve put on your plate. The easy answer to this is to avoid overcommitting as much as you can.
Get Comfortable Delegating
For some people, delegating tasks is an impossible thing to do. It might feel uncomfortable to ask someone to handle something for you, even when you know you need the help. Caregivers in particular need a lot more help than they’re routinely offered. You have to learn to ask for the help that you need, and that’s not an easy skill to master. Something else to consider is hiring home care providers. That’s an excellent solution, especially if you don’t have friends and family to whom you could delegate some of the tasks on your list.
You’ll Never Get it Perfect
All of these issues are a problem for caregivers, but the biggest time management problem you might be experiencing is wanting everything to be perfect. Perfectionism can cause you to worry about what you’re doing and second guess yourself, even taking longer to do all that you need to do. When that happens, you’re spending way more time and energy than you should. There’s a cliche about how sometimes good enough is good enough, and that can be very true in caregiving.
Worrying less about how you’re spending your time may be the key to getting more done. Keep in mind that you’re doing the best you can and give yourself some space to keep doing the best you can.
If you or an aging loved one are considering home care in Sugarhouse, UT, contact the caring staff at Interim Healthcare. Call today 801-401-3515.
Author: Michael and Marlena Hawkins, Owners, Interim HealthCare, Salt Lake City, UT
Interim HealthCare of Salt Lake City has been in business since February 2014, providing in-home personal care and support services that help our elderly and/or disabled neighbors live enriched, safe and independent lives. Our goal is to provide customized care and support services that make it possible for our clients to remain in the comfort of their own homes rather than relocate to an assisted living facility. Interim HealthCare is family owned by Michael and Marlana Hawkins, and is a Veteran Owned Small Business.
