Getting In-home Assistance care for your loved one

April 14th, 2012

When you are caring for a relative who is unable to care for themselves, it can become quite stressful at times as you try to juggle every day tasks along with your added responsibilities. When the needs of your loved one exceed your care giving abilities, it may be time to consider in-home assistance.

Many people are not quite sure what in-home assistance consists of, and may have reservations about bringing a stranger into their home, but it’s important to understand that it is okay to ask for help. And, by dealing with a professional, ethical company, you can ease both the daily stresses of caring for a relative as well as alleviate concerns over having someone else take care of them when you are not there.

When choosing a company for caregiver services, look for one that includes experienced medical professionals, as well as offering families the ability to reach someone 24 hours a day should any questions or concerns arise. It’s also important to look for a company that can provide caregivers who are licensed and bonded, and who are passionate about what they do.

Once you are able to see the difference an experienced caregiver can make, you may soon realize that not only are you seeing the positive impact, but your loved one will greatly benefit as well.

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Best way to prevent caregiver stress

December 12th, 2011

Anyone who cares for an elderly relative can easily fall victim to caregiver stress. Just dealing with the emotional toll alone can be damaging to your health as well as the relationship you have with the person for whom you are caring. Ideally, recognizing the symptoms of caregiver stress early on is the best way to prevent them from escalating into something more serious.

Taking care of yourself as a caregiver is one of the most important ways to stay healthy. Here are a few ways to accomplish this:

  • Become an educated caregiver. As the disease progresses, new caregiving skills are necessary. Find information on alz.org or contact your local Alzheimer’s Association.
  • Take care of yourself. Watch your diet, exercise and get plenty of rest. Make time for shopping, lunch with friends or even a golf outing.
  • Give yourself credit, not guilt. You are doing the best you can. Don’t feel guilty because you can’t do more. Your loved one needs you, and you are there – that should make you feel proud.

One of the most important things to remember is that there IS help available. You are not failing as a caregiver by asking for assistance. Taking advantage of the services offered by a professional home care company can often be the ideal solution.

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Searching for an outside caregiver

October 31st, 2011

Outside caregiver

When caring for an aging relative becomes too much for one person to handle, they often consider using the services of an outside caregiver to help with day to day activities. The right caregiver can make a significant impact on the quality of care your loved one is receiving, as well as alleviating some of the stress that naturally occurs when you are struggling to balance your existing responsibilities while still providing the care that your loved one deserves.

But how do you go about choosing the right person? And what is the best way to determine what level of skill you need to search for? Here are some things to consider before searching for an outside caregiver:

  • Make a list of daily activities: By reviewing the activities of a typical day of the patient you will be able to determine the specific duties required. It helps to create a timeline of activities so that you plan for meals, naps and regular appointments.
  • Assess the degree of specialty: If the patient suffers from any degree of dementia or physical disability make sure you look for a caregiver with appropriate knowledge and experience.
  • Determine the need for meal preparation: Not only should you make a choice for a caregiver on their ability to prepare meals if necessary, but also their understanding and ability to create diet-specific meal choices.

Once you have your specific needs detailed, it will make searching for an outside caregiver much easier.

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Managing stress as a caregiver

October 26th, 2011

Taking care of elderly parents

It’s estimated that 34 million Americans serve as unpaid caregivers for other adults, usually elderly relatives, and that they spend an average 21 hours a week helping out, according to a study being released today by AARP. In addition, many more individuals devote at least some time every week to calling and/or checking on aging parents.

Taking care of elderly parents can place significant strains on the caregiver’s health and emotional well-being. Caregiver’s report having one or more chronic conditions, such as high blood pressure, at nearly twice the rate of all Americans. They often times also experience emotional stress as they struggle to care for their parents and their own families at the same time.

In order to mitigate the strain that being a caregiver can bring, it’s important to reach out to others in the same situation. Sometimes, simply hearing another caregiver express their issues can go a long way towards relieving the stress and isolation which can result when you have assumed the role of primary caregiver. Take time to look for support groups in your area, as well as searching for services such as adult daycare centers, which may allow you to take an occasional break and help prevent becoming overwhelmed.

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Deciding to become a caregiver

September 20th, 2011

Making the decision to care for an elderly parent yourself is an extremely difficult and emotionally charged process. According to a recent study by AARP, an estimated 34 million Americans serve as unpaid caregivers for other adults, usually elderly relatives.

In addition to exacting an emotional toll on the caregiver, providing care for an elderly relative can represent a significant physical and financial burden as well. Caregivers often take time off from their regular jobs, or switch to working part-time in order to maintain a level of care for their loved one. This results not only in a loss of wages, but in a possible loss of future retirement benefits as contributions to pension or retirement plans are lowered or stopped to compensate for lost wages.

For many Americans, however, caring for their relatives at home is the only choice they are willing to make, especially when it involves a parent. It’s never easy to admit you cannot care for the person that raised you, and so many families make the decision to try and provide care on their own.

If you find yourself in the position of choosing to become a primary caregiver, it’s important to know that you are not alone. There are many resources available which can provide you with information, support, and even assistance as you care for your loved one.

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