Some of the typical issues for family caregivers can make it challenging to care for a loved one.
Caring for your aging parents is an incredibly rewarding act of love. As you reflect on the care they provided for 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 family members is not always a bed of roses. It’s important to be aware of the hurdles you may experience and to know how to manage them to protect your own overall health. Some of the typical issues for family caregivers include:
Lack of Sleep
Interrupted sleep can stem from an older adult whose circadian clock has shifted, causing them to waken more often throughout the night. It may be the consequence of worry and stress. If dementia is a factor, wandering and sundowning may cause you to stay on alert. Ample sleep is vital to your ability to offer the most effective care for your parents, as well as for your own emotional and physical wellness.
Lack of Support
You might feel as if the lion’s share of caregiving falls on your shoulders. This may cause you to assume you are solely responsible for your parents’ care, which is not only overwhelming, but can cause hurt feelings and frustration in other relationships. No one person can effectively care for another on their own. Trying to do this places you at risk for depression, burnout, and other serious health issues, and also impacts the level of care your parents receive.
Lack of Privacy
Your physical and emotional privacy can both be compromised if you’re 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.
How Can You Overcome These Challenges in Caregiving?
Fortunately, there is one simple solution to all of these concerns. Home With You Senior 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 only a good 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 safety and comfort—so you can have peace of mind in knowing your parents are in the very best of hands while you are away.
Contact us at 410-756-0959 for more information on our personalized in-home care solutions for older adults. Our services are available in Catonsville, Columbia, Ellicott City, as well as the surrounding areas. Visit our Locations Served page to see if we can help in your community.