Family Caregivers Carry a Heavy Burden

Here are a few facts about family caregivers:

 

The typical caregiver is a 49 year old woman. She spends about 20 hours a week devoted to providing care for an older parent–usually the mother. Care lasts, on average, for five years. This average caregiver also has a job, and all care that’s given is done on her own in her off-time.

 

If this assessment sounds exhausting to you, you’re not alone. The average family caregiver is in a rough spot right now. Acting as a caregiver is a noble cause, but it is a tough one. Tasks like helping with meals, cleaning up, assisting with bathing, dressing, and transferring, and ensuring that all medications and doctors’ appointments are up to date are not tough in themselves, but when done everyday for years at a time, with no rest, it can become a heavy burden.

 

It isn’t uncommon for a family caregiver to take on the bulk of the load when it comes to caring for an elderly loved one. Much of the time, this is just a natural course of action. Because you love your parent or grandparent, providing assistance for them just seems like the right thing to do. And it is. The issue isn’t that it’s not the right thing to do, the issue is that sometimes there are medical issues that exist that cannot be easily compensated for. Sometimes, the extent of the needs are too great for someone without training to try and tackle over an extended period of time. Sometimes, we just need a break so we can take care of ourselves, rest, and come back to giving care with a refreshed body and soul.

 

In these instances, there is nothing wrong with taking care of yourself. The question is, how will you care for yourself AND your loved one?

 

Family caregivers carry a heavy burden when helping others.

 

Some people can do this and they can do it well, but not everyone. Some people can for short periods of time, but as their energy begins to wane, the quality of care that they are capable of decreases. Unfortunately, the person that they are trying to help ends up suffering as a result. Usually, this is barely noticed. Sometimes, it can be detrimental.

 

Respite care can be a great option for avoiding this issue. If you are concerned about a family member looking after your parent, you don’t want to impose on someone else, or you just want to make sure that your mom or dad is left in the hands of a professional while you’re away, a professional respite caregiver can skillfully fill this gap for you.

 

This isn’t the ideal choice for all, but for many it is. And, if you’re like most, you probably will have a lot of questions before you would even dream of hiring a professional caregiver, even if it is for a limited basis. If you fall into this category, give us a call. We can give you the advice and guidance that you need to make an informed decision and ensure that your loved one continues to always get the best care possible.

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