What Happens After Senior Care?

When caregiver responsibilities are reduced or come to an end, it can be hard to resume life as it once was. In fact, a lot of people can’t even imagine what life might be like at this point. As tall of an order as this might be, it doesn’t mean that it’s not a vital one. We all have an obligation to help others, and if we are no longer acting as a caregiver, it can be hard to see what’s next. Many former caregivers find themselves struggling at this point.

 

Another issue that caregivers face is that of repressed feelings. Caregivers are prone to putting on their best face and acting strong in front of the person that they’re helping. When they’re no longer helping that person, it is easy for the emotions to become overwhelming. The former caregiver can feel lost and alone. They might feel like they no longer have a purpose in their life.

 

This couldn’t be further from the truth. We all have a deeper purpose in our lives, regardless of what stage of life we’re in. Think about your own experiences. You fulfill a very different function in your family, at your work, in your church, or whatever other organizations you might be involved with now than you did a decade ago. Our roles change over time. Sometimes we don’t necessarily like the role that we might have at a given time, but that doesn’t mean it’s not important. Transitions are tough for everyone, but this doesn’t mean that aren’t important. Being a caregiver is certainly a valuable task, but so are other roles that you can play for your family and community.

 

Over time, our roles as caregiver may change or cease altogether.

 

Statistics tell us that the average stay in a nursing home is three years. Usually, there is a period of care that is needed at some level before that occurs. Sometimes there is an informal family caregiver that helps out, or sometimes there is a professional in-home caregiver that is applying care before the nursing home visit. However, when a loved one passes away or moves out of the house and into a nursing facility, your role as a caregiver, informal or not, will change. This can be a rough transition for families. Feelings of guilt or inadequacy can creep in, and they can be quite harmful. If you do experience this, we encourage you to talk with someone, especially someone who has experience working with family caregivers.

 

Part of family is being there for the people that you love. When a loved one needs help, it is natural for us to step in and assist. But eventually, our roles will change or diminish when it comes to senior care. When this happens, it is necessary to remember that we still play a major role in the lives and wellbeing of others in our family. The transition back to this can be difficult, but it is important. Please talk to someone if you are struggling. Your family deserves the best, and we each need to take care of ourselves if we’re going to do this.

 

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