There’s no doubt that being a family caregiver is challenging. Most caregivers experience some type of frustration during the week, and it only takes a few minutes of talking to a group of caregivers to realize many of the issues they face are common. These six challenges are all easier to handle when you take time to recognize they exist and have simple solutions.
1. Getting Sick or Injured
Caregiving is physically demanding. Some seniors need assistance with transporting themselves from one place to another, while others need help with the majority of their household tasks. Caregivers who get sick or hurt aren’t able to perform their duties. Choosing to get help before you’re completely worn out can prevent many health issues from occurring.
Families who need help caring for senior loved ones can turn to Home Care Assistance, a leading provider of at-home care. Services available in our customizable care plans include meal prep, mental and social stimulation, assistance with personal hygiene tasks, and much more.
2. Failing to Get Enough Sleep
Your sleep schedule may be interrupted by your loved one’s needs. You may also simply find it difficult to fall asleep when you’re under so much stress. Overnight care is a solution that makes it possible for you to get the proper amount of sleep each night.
3. Having to Make Sacrifices
There are only so many hours in a day, and caregivers tend to discover they must give up certain things they enjoy. While it’s common for everyone to occasionally have to skip events they were looking forward to, no one should have to give up everything. You can lean on respite care services to make sure you can go on that short vacation or attend a friend’s wedding.
Caring for a senior loved one can be rewarding, but it can also be overwhelming for family caregivers who have other responsibilities they need to focus on. For these families, the perfect solution is respite care. Rocklin families rely on our caregivers whenever they need time to rest, work, run errands, and even go on vacation.
4. Experiencing Financial Strain
Caregivers sometimes quit their jobs or reduce their hours at work to care for their loved ones, often leading to worries about how they’ll cover their expenses. In many cases, it makes more financial sense for a caregiver to continue to work. Many health insurance programs cover home care services for seniors, which allows caregivers to continue to earn income, even if they choose to just work part-time.
5. Feeling Isolated
One of the sacrifices caregivers must sometimes make is their social lives. There may not be enough time to attend every event and make many phone calls, but it’s possible to carve out a few hours of time for socializing each week. Hiring a professional caregiver can help you go on that date with your spouse or attend a class where you can meet other people. Having friends outside the home can help you avoid feeling isolated.
6. Facing Emotional Distress
Most caregivers report some degree of constant worry about their loved ones’ health. They may fear what the next stage of dementia might bring or have anxiety about whether or not they’re doing their best. Either way, it helps to talk to someone else about your problems. Addressing stress early on can prevent it from turning into more severe conditions, such as depression.
If you’re the primary family caregiver for an elderly loved one and need additional assistance providing high-quality senior care, Rocklin Home Care Assistance can help. We are a leading home care agency committed to changing the way seniors age. Home Care Assistance can be your trusted partner when your loved one needs help with the challenges of aging. Call us today at (916) 226-3737 to learn about our high-quality in-home care services.