Choosing to be a family caregiver is a major commitment. Family caregivers tend to discover they have less time for themselves, but that doesn’t mean you have to put your life completely on hold. Figuring out how much time and effort you’ll need to put into caring for your senior loved one will help you make the best plans for your new role.
Identify Your Necessities
Everyone has certain things they need to stay emotionally and physically well. For instance, you might need to figure out how to work out every day, or you may need to know you have time you can dedicate to your kids. Work is another necessity many caregivers need to consider. As you make your list of priorities, remember self-care is just as important as anything else you need. Family caregivers who take care of themselves tend to do better in their roles.
Learn about Your Loved One’s Daily Routine
As a caregiver, you’ll spend the majority of your time helping out with your loved one’s activities of daily living. It’s very common for family caregivers to be surprised by just how much this entails. Your loved one may need help taking care of his or her pets, doing laundry, and preparing meals. All of these things can add up quickly when you’re also managing your own personal household.
Ask about Your Loved One’s Current Health
Seniors don’t always tell their loved ones everything about their health. As your loved one’s caregiver, you may need to assist with medication management and wound care. You might also be called upon to help with personal hygiene if your parent is unable to manage that part of his or her routine independently. Once again, this is another area where you need to fully understand what you’re signing up for as a caregiver. If your loved one’s needs are extensive, asking people to help can free up time for your needs.
If you’re the primary family caregiver for an elderly loved one and need additional assistance providing high-quality at-home care, Home Care Assistance can help. We are a leading home care agency committed to changing the way seniors age.
Find Out Who Can Help
Once you understand what your loved one requires from a caregiver, you can begin putting together a network of support. Ask your family members if they can handle a few of the tasks, and try to match people up with jobs that fit their strengths. Even having someone manage the laundry once a week frees up a valuable hour or two in your schedule.
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 Rocklin home 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.
Arrange for Respite Care
\Respite care is a service that brings a professional caregiver to your loved one’s home so you can have a break. You may need to arrange for daily respite care so you can go to work or manage other responsibilities, or you may only need someone to give you a break for several hours once a week. Either way, knowing you’re able to continue doing the things you need to do makes caregiving more enjoyable.
Whether you need respite from your caregiving duties or your aging loved one needs live-in care, Rocklin, CA, 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. Trust your loved one’s care to the professionals at Home Care Assistance. Reach out to one of our compassionate Care Managers today at (916) 226-3737