Caring for a loved one from a distance can be challenging. You may experience a variety of emotions, many of which will be negative. These negative emotions come from being separated from your senior loved one. However, there are ways to manage those emotions and continue providing great care from a distance.
1. Guilt
Being away from your loved one, especially when he or she is sick and needs constant care, can leave you feeling guilty and full of regret. You want to be there, but you can’t. As a result, you may start second-guessing everything you do. For instance, if you go out to celebrate a promotion at your job, you may feel guilty knowing your loved one is sick and you are not there to help him or her. Remind yourself that you are doing all you can from where you are, and that your loved one would be proud of your accomplishments.
Hiring a professional caregiver not only relieves some of the guilt, but it also ensures your elderly loved one’s care is in safe hands. Roseville, CA, home care professionals can be a wonderful boon to seniors. Whether they require around-the-clock supervision or just need assistance with exercise and household tasks a few days a week, seniors can enjoy a higher quality of life with the help of trusted in-home caregivers.
2. Fear
If you cannot supervise your loved one’s daily activities, you may fear what will happen to him or her. You may wonder if he or she is taking medications on time, eating and exercising regularly, and going to doctor visits. The fear of not knowing what is going on in your loved one’s life could cause you to stress and put your own health at risk. However, you should contact local family caregivers to check in with your loved one if possible, or hire professional caregivers. You can also video chat with your loved one to see for yourself that he or she is doing just fine.
3. Doubt
As a family caregiver, you may feel as if no one can provide the type of care you can. However, distance can prevent you from providing a high level of care. Consider hiring a home caregiver who is trained to care for seniors. Knowing your loved one has a qualified professional caring for him or her may help you feel at ease and erase doubt from your mind.
If your aging loved one needs occasional help with bathing, grooming, cooking, or other basic household tasks, or if you need time to attend to important personal matters, reach out to Home Care Assistance, a leading provider of live-in and respite care. Roseville seniors can maintain their independence while living at home with the help of our reliable respite caregivers.
4. Pressure
If you live far away, you may be under a great deal of pressure to visit your loved one on a frequent basis. This pressure could be coming from your loved one or other family caregivers. Try to schedule trips to visit your loved one well in advance. You will then have plenty of time to make arrangements at your job and with other personal commitments. You may feel more relaxed and less pressured knowing you are making time to see your loved one.
5. Jealousy
Looking at family photos and videos could make you feel jealous of those who are able to be around your loved one on a regular basis. Jealousy often leads to resentment and bitterness as well. To prevent this emotion, remember your loved one needs in-person care and love from other family members, especially since you are unable to be there. Think about how alone and depressed he or she would be if no one was around. Socializing is necessary for your loved one to live a healthy, happy life.
Certain age-related conditions can make it more challenging for seniors to age in place safely and comfortably, but Roseville live-in care experts are available around the clock to help seniors manage their health. Whether your loved one is living with dementia or is recovering from a stroke, you can trust in professional live-in caregivers to enhance his or her quality of life. If you’re looking for a reliable in-home care provider for your senior loved one, call Home Care Assistance at (916) 226-3737.