Learn how in-home care services can help overcome the issues family caregivers encounter.
Taking care of your aging parents is a tremendously rewarding act of love. As you think about the care they provided to you when you were growing up, you now have the opportunity to do the same for them. It allows you to take your relationship with your parents to a whole new level.
Having said that, providing care for loved ones is not always a bed of roses. It is important to be aware of the pitfalls you may experience and to understand how to manage them to safeguard your own overall health. A few of the issues family caregivers encounter include:
Lack of Privacy
Your physical and emotional privacy can both be compromised if you are sharing living space with your parents. This is especially true if one or both of your parents have dementia, which could cause them to feel lost or fearful when you step out of the room. Likewise, your parents may struggle to maintain privacy while in your care.
Lack of Support
You may feel as if the bulk of caregiving falls on your shoulders. This can cause you to assume you are solely responsible for your parents’ care, which is not just overwhelming, but can cause frustration and hurt feelings in other relationships. No one person can effectively care for another by themselves. Trying to do so places you at risk for depression, burnout, and other serious health issues, and also impacts the level of care your parents receive.
Lack of Sleep
Interrupted sleep can originate from an older adult whose circadian clock has shifted, causing them to waken more frequently during the night. It can be the result of worry and stress. If dementia is a factor, wandering and sundowning can cause you to stay on alert. Ample sleep is vital to your ability to offer the very best care for your parents, as well as for your own physical and emotional wellness.
How Can You Combat These Challenges in Caregiving?
Fortunately, there is one simple solution to all of these concerns. Hearts at Home In-Home Care’s in-home caregivers are available to partner with you to ensure the best care for your parents and a healthier life balance for you. Taking time away from caregiving is not just a smart idea; it’s essential.
Our respite care services allow you to take necessary regular breaks from caregiving for your own self-care, while enriching the lives of your parents. We provide additional opportunities for socialization and engagement in fulfilling activities together with the necessary support to promote comfort and safety—so you can have peace of mind in knowing your parents are in the very best of hands while you’re away.
Contact us at 913-440-4209 for more information on our personalized in-home care solutions for older adults. Our services are available in Mission Hills, Leawood, Kansas City, MO, and the surrounding areas. Visit our Service Area page to see if we can help in your town.