Caring for a senior loved one can strengthen your bond, but it also comes with many challenges. You need to develop a routine that suits you and your elderly parent and try to prepare for the unexpected. Take a look at some common problems for family caregivers and tips for solving each issue.
1. No Training
Most caregivers step into the role with no knowledge or training. Speak with your loved one’s doctor, social worker, and other professionals to learn more about the role and how to provide high-quality care.
A professional home caregiver can be a wonderful source of support for you and your family. Not every senior has the same care needs, which means they don’t all need the same type of elderly home care. You can rely on Home Care Assistance to provide an individualized care plan to meet your elderly loved one’s unique care needs. Our holistic Balanced Care Method was designed to help seniors focus on healthy lifestyle habits, such as eating nutritious foods, exercising regularly, and maintaining strong social ties, and our Cognitive Therapeutics Method offers mentally stimulating activities that can stave off cognitive decline and delay the onset of dementia.
2. Taking on Too Much
It’s okay to allow others to help out with your loved one’s care. Taking on too much could lead to exhaustion. Receiving assistance doesn’t make you a bad caregiver. It shows you’re willing to put your trust issues aside to increase your loved one’s quality of care.
In Rhode Island, respite care is a great help to many families. Caring for a senior loved one can be overwhelming at times, which puts family caregivers at risk for burnout. However, an in-home caregiver can take over your loved one’s care, allowing you the time you need to focus on your own health, maintain a full-time job, or care for other members of your family.
3. Poor Sleeping Habits
Finding the time to rest can be difficult for caregivers who have strenuous jobs, children to care for, and other personal commitments. However, if they don’t find time to rest, their bodies could give out. Develop a good bedtime routine and make it a priority to get at least eight hours of sleep per night.
4. Guilt
When your loved one’s health continues to decrease, you might blame yourself. Remember aging is inevitable and often leads to physical, mental, and emotional problems. Therefore, you should continue to do your best and give yourself praise, even when the outcome isn’t what you wanted.
5. Limited Time
Combining your responsibilities could make your schedule feel less draining and give you more time. Instead of separating your tasks as an employee, mother, and caregiver, you can complete some duties at the same time. For example, if you stop by the store to get treats for your son’s sports group, you should use this time to pick up your loved one’s prescription if the pharmacy is nearby.
6. Financial Strain
If your loved one’s income decreases, you may need to step up financially, which can be stressful. The good news is there are local, state, and federal resources your loved one could be qualified to receive. These resources can alleviate financial strain for both you and your parent.
7. Loneliness
It’s common for family caregivers to isolate themselves from others and focus solely on their loved ones’ needs. Isolation can increase the risk of depression and other health problems. Take time to socialize with other people. For instance, you could go to lunch or dinner with your siblings or join a caregiver support group to engage with others going through similar situations.
8. Discomfort
Some caregiving tasks might make you uncomfortable, and taking on these responsibilities may increase the risk of anger, resentment, and burnout. Set limits on what you’re willing to do. Speak with your siblings about taking on these caregiver-related tasks or consider hiring a professional caregiver who specializes in elder care.
If you’re the primary caregiver for a senior family member and are looking for professional in-home care, Rhode Island Home Care Assistance should be your top choice. Our dedicated and compassionate caregivers are committed to helping older adults manage their health and enjoy a higher quality of life in the golden years. Schedule a free in-home consultation by giving us a call today at (401) 284-0979.