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Is Being A Family Caregiver Right For You?
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 22 percent of adults provide care and assistance to a loved one by age 45. Of those family caregivers, about one-third provide at least 20 hours of care per week.
There’s nothing more loving than caring for an aging loved one. However, before you take on the role of a family caregiver, it’s important to understand what it entails and how you can prepare.
The Role Of A Family Caregiver
A family caregiver is an individual who provides nonmedical care to a loved one, often an aging parent or grandparent. Family caregivers often help with tasks like housekeeping, cooking, running errands, scheduling appointments, and overall ensuring the health and well-being of their loved ones.
An important distinction between family and professional caregivers is that they are not trained and often have to balance caregiving with their full-time careers. Without the proper training or time, it’s easy for family caregivers to feel overwhelmed and burnt out, especially if they don’t have support.
Considerations For A Family Caregiver
Being a family caregiver is a noble and compassionate role, and many are willing to do it for their loved ones. However, family caregiving is also a lot of work, and knowing what to expect can help set you up for success.
There’s A Lot To Learn
Unless you’re a healthcare worker, such as a nurse, there will be a learning curve for caregiving. It may start as helping with simple tasks like cooking or cleaning, but you may also have to assist with scheduling appointments, managing medications, and mobility assistance. If you’re aging loved one has a chronic illness such as heart disease or diabetes, it may mean learning about those conditions and understanding symptoms to better care for them.
It Takes Patience
Caring for another person takes patience, and it can take even more patience when caring for a parent or grandparent. Because of the role reversal, some older loved ones are reluctant or resistant to help. It’s essential to remain calm, patient, and empathetic, even in stressful situations.
It May Be Mentally And Emotionally Challenging
Watching a loved one age is difficult, and while you may want to be there to care for them, sometimes it can take a toll on you emotionally and mentally. Make time throughout your day to relax and recharge because you won’t be able to care for someone else if you don’t care for yourself. Don’t be afraid to reach out for help from other loved ones or even a professional home care service provider.
Caregiving Assistance With Visiting Angels
Caring for an aging loved one is not something you have to do alone. Whether you need someone to help temporarily or want full-time assistance, Visiting Angels of Flagstaff is here to help you and your aging loved one.
Many family caregivers work alongside part-time Visiting Angels caregivers who help with daily living tasks such as light housekeeping, medication reminders, and personal tasks such as bathing, dressing, and grooming. We also offer respite care for those needing support so they can reset and recharge.
Our Flagstaff office is happy to provide a free consultation to any family caregivers seeking support in caring for their aging loved one. Contact us online, or call us at 928-220-4100 to learn more.