Life is all about learning how to overcome challenges, but you may find you have more than you expected as a family caregiver. The good news is some of the most common issues you may face are easy to plan for when you know what to expect. These six challenges that affect family caregivers are all things you can easily address by being prepared for when they arrive.
1. Handling a Stubborn Parent
Seniors aren’t always ready to accept help. Your aging loved one may refuse to have assistance at home or not want to do things to maintain his or her health. The best way to manage this challenge is to hear your parent out and try to find a common ground. For instance, your loved one may accept help with a chore he or she dislikes, which could lead to accepting more assistance in the future.
2. Being Let Down by Others
Your sister might have promised to watch your loved one while you went to the doctor, or your brother might have just forgotten to pick up some groceries. Your family members and friends may mean well, but they’re also humans who are capable of making mistakes. Professional caregivers make it their duty to always do what they promise, and they’ll even fill in for you while you tend to your own needs.
If you’re the primary family caregiver for an elderly loved one and need additional assistance providing high-quality home care, Clearwater Home Care Assistance can help. We are a leading home care agency committed to changing the way seniors age.
3. Getting Sick
Speaking of doctor visits, you may find that you get sick on occasion. Trying to take care of all of your responsibilities when you’re ill isn’t just hard on your body. It could put your loved one at risk of getting sick as well. Ask someone else to help you when you’re ill, and remember that resting now can help you get back on your feet faster.
4. Making Mistakes
At times, you might forget one of your loved one’s appointments, or you could even mix up his or her medications. Try not to allow yourself to get upset about it. Instead, look at your forgetfulness as a learning opportunity. Making mistakes such as these is a sign you’re overwhelmed and may need to scale back your responsibilities.
5. Feeling Awkward About Bath Time
Your loved one may need assistance with bathing. In the beginning, you can use techniques such as adding hand rails to the shower to help your loved one bathe while you stand nearby in case he or she needs assistance. However, there may eventually come a point when your loved one needs more hands-on care. You can work with a professional caregiver to learn techniques such as draping to make this less awkward for you and your loved one.
The type of in-home care seniors need can vary. Some need assistance a few hours a day, while others require more extensive around-the-clock assistance. At Home Care Assistance, we tailor our care plans based on each senior’s individual care needs, and the plans can be adjusted at any time.
6. Discovering You’re Burnt Out
Caregiver burnout is sneaky. You might have just thought you were tired, or you may have experienced depression in the past. Either way, burnout is preventable and treatable if you get help right away. Just taking a few hours to yourself each week may be all it takes to help you begin to feel happier about your role again.
Clearwater respite care professionals can assist seniors with a wide array of daily tasks, offering family caregivers the chance to focus on other personal responsibilities or take a break to prevent burnout. Whether it’s for a few hours a day or a few days a week, respite care is the perfect solution for family caregivers who are feeling overwhelmed. Reach out to Home Care Assistance today at (727) 330-7862 to find out how we can help you and your loved one maintain a high quality of life.