You have suddenly found yourself as the caregiver for your loved one because they became ill or incapacitated. You are now their cook, chauffeur, housekeeper, and medication manager. Most individuals aren’t prepared for the enormity of this task. For this reason, you must educate yourself on what family caregivers need most.
- Helpful Resources
Educate yourself on what to expect for the short-term and long-term to avoid certain pitfalls. Family caregivers tend to wear themselves out because they lack the knowledge of what services are available to them and their loved ones. Home Health providers, Telehealth, and complimentary transportation are examples of services caregivers may need to think of using.
2. Family Support
Typically, one family member assumes the role of the family caregiver. This may be because of the proximity to the family member or other reasons. This individual may have a family, a job, or be equally frail, all while being responsible for meeting the needs of an aging or disabled family member. Siblings, if there are any, and others can help by offering to step in with caregiving tasks so the primary caregiver can have a break.
Family caregivers don’t have to manage everything on their own. There is help if they know where to look and have the courage to ask for help. Even though some families choose to take on the enormous task of caring for their loved ones, there may come a time when they need a trusted home care provider. Family caregivers sometimes need respite from their duties to re-focus on their other responsibilities. Some families are not prepared to provide seniors with the required around-the-clock assistance. Better Healthcare, LLC is here to help.
3. Respite Care
Caregiving is a difficult task that wears you out mentally and physically. Caregivers can also become isolated from the rest of the world during this time. However, when a caregiver gets a reprieve from constant caregiving, their mental and physical well-being improves. Respite care provides caregivers the time they need to clear their heads, get some rest, and return to the task with renewed energy and a fresh perspective.
Family caregivers don’t have to risk their health when options are available. Caring for a senior loved one can be a rewarding, joyous experience, but it can also be overwhelming. For these individuals, the perfect solution is respite care. Florida families rely on our caregivers to give them the time they need to rest, go back to work, run errands, or even go on vacation.
4. Employer Support
Caring for a loved one can be extra stressful for caregivers who work outside the home. Employers and coworkers may not have empathy or appreciate the increased duties of a caregiver who must be absent frequently because of caregiving emergencies. Flexible work schedules and other policies aimed at allowing employees flexibility to care for loved ones can help a caregiver be more productive.
5. Understanding
Friends and family members, although well-intentioned, may make comments that cause a caregiver to feel inadequate. It is easy to undermine a caregiver’s confidence by criticizing decisions or offering unsolicited advice. A good ear or a shoulder to cry on may be all they need.
6. Dependable Help
It is essential for siblings or other family members to contribute to caregiving, but scheduling can be challenging. Caregivers need reliable people who can step in and handle many tasks that will allow them to enjoy a weekend getaway, a walk around the block, or to go to work without being in a hurry to get back home. An outside caregiver is an answer in this case.
Burnout is common for family caregivers, and hiring a professional caregiver can provide support. Better Healthcare, LLC can provide the services you need to help an elderly relative age in place safely and comfortably. You can rely on us for your family’s reliable, high-quality in-home care. Better Healthcare, LLC offers 24-hour live-in care for seniors who require extensive assistance. In addition, we provide shifts as short as 4 hours. To learn more about our high-quality, reliable in-home care services, call (800)-394-0005 today.
