Once you find yourself in the family caregiver role, it’s easy to forget about your own needs. Juggling all of your responsibilities and caring for your senior loved one become things you do without thinking about how they impact your health and relationships. As a family caregiver, you need plenty of support, and the following are some reasons why.
Your Health Depends on It
One of the main concerns for family caregivers is their own health. Caring for a loved one, going to work, and being responsible for a home and family leave very little time for exercising, eating healthy, and keeping appointments for healthcare visits. Stress can lead to heart disease, and for a caregiver who has diabetes, stress can make it challenging to manage blood sugar. Having reliable support makes it possible to keep medical appointments, get some rest, and have some time for exercise.
Caring for an elderly loved one is a challenging task for anyone. The responsibilities can sometimes feel overwhelming, but help is available. When researching agencies that provide home care, families are usually looking for flexible care plans, compassionate and highly trained caregivers, and 24/7 availability. Whether you need respite care to take a break from your caregiving duties or your senior loved one needs around-the-clock assistance at home, you can rely on Home Care Assistance.
Your Family Relationships Depend on It
If you’re a caregiver with a spouse and children, chances are you long for quality time with them. Maybe your relationship with your spouse or significant other has diminished because you can’t carve out enough time to spend together. You may be missing out on your children’s school activities or going out as a family. If your children are very young, they require close supervision and attention. Although you want to give your loved one the best care possible, your relationships with your children and partner are equally important. Getting help can provide more time for you to spend with other family members.
Seniors can face a variety of age-related challenges. Though some families choose to take on the caregiving duties, there may come a time when they need a trusted Clearwater senior care provider. Families sometimes need respite from their duties so they can focus on their other responsibilities, and some seniors need around-the-clock assistance that their families are not able to provide. Home Care Assistance is here to help.
Your Job Depends on It
Caregiving can leave you exhausted. If you’re trying to hold a full-time job while being a caregiver, you may be unable to give your full attention to your work duties. Being tired when you go to work can be risky if you operate machinery or work in child care. Driving while fatigued puts you and others at risk for crashes. Missing work for caregiving can also burden coworkers and lead to resentment when they must repeatedly cover for you.
Your Loved One Can Benefit from It
Although you do your best to provide excellent care, caregiving can leave you mentally exhausted and prone to doing or saying something you might regret. Your loved one may not say it, but he or she can sense when you’re a little frustrated or irritated. Seniors who are unable to leave the house may want to see new faces. When you seek outside support from a family member or in-home caregiver, your loved one may enjoy the company. If your support person engages in conversations with your loved one and joins in activities such as watching a favorite television program or playing a board game, your loved one will probably look forward to the interaction.
Whether you need respite from your caregiving duties or your aging loved one needs live-in care, Clearwater, FL, Home Care Assistance can meet your family’s care needs. Our dedicated caregivers are available around the clock to provide transportation to doctor’s appointments, ensure seniors take their prescribed medications, and help with a variety of tasks in and outside the home. Call one of our friendly Care Managers today at (727) 330-7862 to learn more about our customized care plans.