The emotional side of caring for an ageing parent 

Looking after your ageing parent at home comes from a place of love. You want them to feel safe, comfortable, independent, and connected to their regular life for as long as possible. 

For many older people, staying at home and ageing in place also plays an important role in wellbeing.  

While the benefits are clear, caring for an ageing parent can also be physically and emotionally demanding.  

We hope this blog helps you remember you are not alone in the emotion you might be feeling within your caring journey. With the right help, it’s possible for both you and your parent to feel more relaxed and supported in your everyday life together. 

The emotional toll of caring is real 

Carers WA estimates that 320,000 Western Australians provide unpaid care and support to a family member or friend who requires help due to illness, disability or frail age. 

As one of these carers, you provide the type of deep comfort, encouragement, and reassurance to your parent that no one else can.  

But constantly giving this type of emotional (and physical) support to your parent, alongside making time for your own life and family, might make you feel like you’re running on empty. 

This is very normal.  

You’re not alone 

Caring for an ageing parent is often deeply exhausting in ways people don’t always talk about openly. 

While it can bring moments of closeness, purpose, and connection, it can also bring fatigue, stress, guilt, grief, overwhelm, and emotional strain – sometimes all at once. 

This is because you’re giving time, energy, and emotional space to others, with very little left for you. You’re often juggling their appointments, daily tasks and emotional stress alongside the demands and activities of your own life. 

Many adult children caring for an ageing parent find themselves balancing: 

• their own household; 

• work and career pressures; 

• raising children; 

• hobbies and a social life; 

• financial responsibilities; 

• relationships; and 

• their parent’s growing care needs. 

This situation is often called the ‘sandwich generation’ – people caring for ageing parents while still supporting their own children or managing the demands of midlife themselves. 

Even when you’re caring for an ageing parent willingly, the balancing act can still feel overwhelming. 

Over time, it can affect your energy, relationships, work, health, and overall wellbeing – especially when you’ve been carrying it all on your own.  

The impact of caring on your relationship 

One of the hardest parts of caring for a parent can be the responsibility shift that happens informally over time. 

As well as being a son or daughter, you might also be relied on as an advocate, nurse, driver, and emotional support person. 

You may suddenly find yourself: 

• managing appointments; 

• organising medications; 

• helping with finances; 

• cooking meals; 

• cleaning the home; 

• supporting personal care; and 

• helping with mobility or transport. 

And while these responsibilities are often taken on willingly, they can slowly change the dynamic of your relationship. 

Instead of simply enjoying time together, you might find that most of your time begins to revolve around caregiving tasks and logistics.  

Supporting someone shouldn’t come at the cost of yourself 

When you’re constantly looking after competing responsibilities, it becomes harder to be fully present – both for yourself and for the person you’re caring for. 

Many carers push through exhaustion because they feel they ‘should’ be able to manage it all. 

But ongoing stress and burnout can affect: 

• your mental health; 

• sleep and physical health; 

• relationships and family life; 

• work and financial stability; 

• your ability to rest and recharge; and 

• the quality of care you’re able to provide. 

While you might love your parent deeply and want to support them, it’s important to notice when your caring role affects your own wellbeing, relationships, career, and sense of self. 

We’ve put together some practical ways to help prevent carer burnout, including small steps that can help you feel more supported while continuing to care for your loved one at home. 

Carer support is not about stepping away from caring – it’s about making caring sustainable for both you and your parent. 

The unique challenges carers face 

As well as the emotional weight of constantly thinking ahead, staying organised, and making sure your parent is safe and well, there are physical jobs to do too. 

For many carers, supporting an ageing parent at home includes helping with: 

• mobility and movement; 

• showering, dressing, and personal care; 

• meals, shopping, and household tasks; 

• medications and appointments; and 

• transport and changing health needs. 

Over time, these physical demands can begin to take an emotional toll too.  

Constantly being ‘on’ and worrying about your parent and trying to hold everything together can leave little time to rest, switch off, or simply enjoy life together. 

It’s a lot for one person – or one family – to carry alone. 

Asking for help can improve everyone’s quality of life 

Many families delay outsourcing support for their ageing parent because they feel guilty or worry they are ‘giving up’ responsibility. 

But bringing in support doesn’t replace your role as a carer. Often, it simply protects your wellbeing, your relationship with your parent, and your ability to continue caring in a sustainable way. 

Having the right support around your parent can: 

• reduce pressure on yourself and other family members; 

• create breathing room in daily life; 

• help prevent burnout; 

• support your parent’s social life and independence; 

• improve safety and wellbeing at home; and 

• allow you to spend more meaningful quality time together. 

Instead of constantly managing tasks, appointments, and logistics, with support you can have more space to simply be present with your parent again. 

The value of planning early 

One of the most helpful things families can do is start conversations early – before a crisis point is reached. 

If you’re unsure how to start the conversation, we’ve put together a helpful guide on talking to your parents about accepting support. 

Having an honest conversation early one can help reduce stress and make future decisions feel less overwhelming. 

If you’re considering in-home care for a loved one 

If you have a general sense that things are getting harder and would like to look at options for in-home care but don’t know where to begin, Avivo is here to help.  

Our WA-based team will help you find a clear, step-by-step path that shows you what support could look like for your family. 

• If you’re considering government-funded support, we’ll talk you through how to book an assessment and what to expect. 

• And if you’re not quite ready for that, we can help you start small with simple, flexible support at home. 

We’ll make the process simple and stress-free by: 

• explaining everything in simple language; 

• outlining what’s funded, what’s private and what’s flexible; and 

• helping you work out what support would actually make life easier right now. 

To begin with no pressure or rush, chat to one of our friendly team members in our Perth office today: 

• Phone: 1300 428 486 

• Email: hello@avivo.org.au  

Keep calm and start small 

Remember: Planning ahead doesn’t mean things have to change quickly – it simply helps you put the right support in place early. 

Many families worry they’re acting prematurely. The reality is that early support often prevents bigger challenges later. 

It starts with help around the home, transport to appointments, social support and companionship, meal preparation, or regular check-ins – and then grows gradually as needs change. 

When you’re ready, you can start small with support that helps your parent with: 

• daily tasks that are becoming tiring or stressful; 

• safety or mobility concerns; 

• social connection and isolation; and 

• how much the caring load is affecting your own wellbeing. 

Starting small gives your parent time to adjust, meet a Support Worker they – and you – feel comfortable with, and experience the benefits without pressure.  

Helping life feel lighter for you and your parent 

Even small amounts of support at home can make a meaningful difference – to both your life and your parent’s life. 

For nearly 60 years, Avivo has supported older Western Australians with trusted aged care services in Perth and across WA, including help at home, personal care, social connection, and everyday living support.  

If you’re thinking about in-home support, our team will work closely with you and your family to create a personalised plan that fits your life, and changes with you over time.  

Caring is deeply human work 

If you’re feeling stretched, emotional, exhausted, or conflicted while caring for a parent, you are not alone and it’s normal to feel that way. 

While it is meaningful and rewarding, it also asks a lot of people – emotionally, physically, mentally, and practically. 

Our support is designed to help older people continue living safely and comfortably in the community they know, while also helping families feel supported along the way. 

Whether you need a short break, ongoing respite, or help navigating the funding options, we’ll work with you to create a plan that suits your life, family, and goals. 

If you’d like clarity on the next steps or want someone to talk through your situation with, get in touch with our team today.