When Giving Care is Hard

Caring for a loved one is hard. In fact, senior care is one of the most stressful things that you will ever do. It’s not that it is one single act that takes a lot of energy, but that it is hundreds of tiny things that must be done every day, oftentimes for several years. After a while, the grind of this can be exhausting, leading to burnout, exhaustion, and even physical health issues.

 

Caregivers need help. It might come many different forms, but if caregiving is getting to be hard for you and your family, hopefully these few tips can be of help to you.

 

Look for Support

 

Support can come from other family members, friends, or professionals. That might mean having your spouse watch after your mom for a day while you take care of some errands, it might mean asking your friend to stop by and check on your grandma while you’re at work, or it could even mean hiring a professional caregiver, either to take over care permanently or to act as a respite caregiver. There are a number of support options out there, so use them to help your loved one receive better care.

 

Pay Attention to Needs

 

As a family member, you have a level of love and compassion for your parent or grandparent that cannot be duplicated by a professional. A professional might have more knowledge, but it is difficult to act with the same level of love and concern. With that said, if you are not a professional, it’s important to remember that. You should be receiving training on how to be a better caregiver so that you can give your loved one the help and support that their needs require.

 

Being a family caregiver is hard work.

 

The preceding advice is not going to be perfect for everyone. Everyone comes into caregiving in a different way. For some the process is gradual and for others it happens suddenly. I was in the latter category several years ago when my grandmother was injured at the grocery store and was suddenly in need of care. We all have different situations and experiences, and that will undoubtedly shape what are needs are as caregivers.

 

Yes, you want to give your parent or grandparent the best possible care that you can, and yes, this does require some sacrifice. But you can’t be a great caregiver if you are struggling just to get through each day. Take care of yourself, and this will allow you to be an even bigger help to those around you.

 

Find a care service that you know and trust that provides respite care. If you are in the Bay Area, feel free to give us a call and set up a consultation. If not, go through the caregivers that are available in your community and see which offer respite care and which will also offer a free consultation to see how they can serve you. Giving care is hard, but that doesn’t mean that you must do it all on your own or that your loved one should suffer.

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