Being a caregiver for an aging family member is one of the most challenging jobs there is. Family caregivers experience a lot of unusual challenges, but the right support can help them overcome these difficulties. If you’re a family caregiver, you need to be aware of these reasons you may require a little extra support.
Physical Health Is at Risk
All the stress of being devoted to your loved one’s every need could put a surprising amount of strain on you. According to a 1999 study published in JAMA, spousal caregivers have a 63 percent higher risk of mortality than non-caregivers. This happens because they’re more likely to ignore their own health problems, skip healthy meals, or miss exercise while they focus on their families. To combat this risk, family caregivers need people who can help them with their duties so they can visit their doctors and take care of their own physical health.
Caring for an elderly loved one is a challenging task for anyone. The responsibilities can sometimes feel overwhelming, but help is available. When researching agencies that provide home care Phoenix, families are usually looking for flexible care plans, compassionate and highly trained caregivers, and 24/7 availability. Whether you need to take a break from your caregiving duties or your senior loved one needs around-the-clock assistance at home, you can rely on Assisting Hands Home Care.
Seeing a Loved One’s Health Decrease Is Emotionally Difficult
Unlike professional caregivers, family caregivers often have decades-long relationships with the loved ones they’re caring for, which results in the unique emotional strain of watching people they love face gradual decreases in health. You may benefit from either grief therapy or a family caregiving support group, which can help you work through all the difficult emotions associated with seeing your loved one’s condition get gradually worse.
Caregivers May Face Financial Challenges
If you’ve quit your job or reduced the number of hours you work, you may find your budget is impacted. This can put added strain on you and make it difficult to afford necessities. Caregivers facing this issue should check with their local social services departments. In some cases, there may be government programs or charitable organizations that provide financial support to caregivers.
Caregiving without Breaks Can Harm Mental Health
A huge challenge for caregivers is not getting regular breaks from their duties. Instead, many end up spending every hour of the day focusing on what’s best for their loved ones. This constant mental effort can result in dangerous levels of caregiver burnout.
To safeguard your mental health, you need to take breaks. Hiring a professional caregiver or having someone else watch your loved one for a few hours can give you a little time to relax and refresh yourself.
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 Phoenix 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. Assisting Hands Home Care is here to help.
Caregivers Can Benefit from Healthcare Tips
Most family caregivers end up performing healthcare tasks they’ve never encountered before. To ensure your loved one gets the best care possible, you can benefit from resources such as caregiving classes and consultations with an occupational therapist. This can help you find the most efficient ways of helping your loved one instead of having to figure out everything for yourself.
Living independently is important for seniors who want to maintain a high quality of life. For some, this simply means receiving help with tasks that have become more challenging to manage over time. Even when families have the best intentions, they may not have the time to provide the care their elderly loved ones need and deserve. If your loved one needs help to continue living at home safely and comfortably, reach out to Assisting Hands Home Care, a trusted provider of in-home care Phoenix seniors can depend on. To create a customized home care plan for your loved one, call 602-847-6549 today.
