4 Things Family Caregivers Need To Know About Caring For A Senior Parent
When you take on the care of a senior parent, there’s a lot of things that you need to adjust to. Whether you live nearby and are doing most of the care by yourself or you live far away and you’re relying on elder care to provide primary care for your senior loved one your life is going to change. If your senior parent has health conditions that require home health care that can be a big adjustment as well. But taking care of a parent aging at home can be a very rewarding experience. Some of the most important things to keep in mind as a caregiver to a senior parent are:
Elder Care Is Great Support
If you live close to your senior loved one and plan on providing most of the care yourself there will still be times when you need to take some time off. Maybe you need to work during the day, or you need to take a couple of days off each week to take care of your family obligations. Or maybe you just need a break. Elder care is the backup you need to make sure that your senior loved one is getting reliable care when you need to take care of tother things.
Be Appreciative Of This Time
When you’re first getting used to doing things for your senior loved one like managing medications, cooking meals, and other aspects of care it’s easy to get overwhelmed. But stay focused on being grateful to have this extra time with your senior parent. This is precious time that you will be glad you got to spend with them. When you’re having a difficult day stop, take a breath, and remember that this is an opportunity to have more quality time with your senior loved one.
Take Care Of Yourself, Too
Caregiver burnout is a very real condition that affects millions of family caregivers who are trying to take care of children and families and their aging parents. People in the situation of having to care for both a family and senior loved ones are sometimes called the “Sandwich Generation” because they are in the middle of caring for an aging parent and caring for their own children. It’s essential that you take some time for self-care and to rejuvenate yourself. Elder care can take care of your senior parent so you can take a few days or even just a few hours for yourself.
Ask For Help
Sometimes family caregivers feel like they have to do it all themselves or they will be ungrateful children or look bad. That’s not the case at all. No one can do it alone, especially if your senior parent has medical conditions that must be managed. There is no shame in asking for help. And help is out there for you. Home medical care, elder care, and other types of senior care are there to help you make sure that your senior loved one gets all they care they need.
If you or an aging loved one is considering elder care in South Brunswick, NJ, please contact the caring staff at Care Street Home Care today. Call (732) 607-8870.
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