Caregiving is rewarding, but it comes with much sacrifice. The challenges caregivers face can be stressful, but with a good plan in place, the role is manageable. Below you’ll find common problems for family caregivers and tips to solve each issue.
1. Poor Organization
Poor time management is one of the top causes of disorganization. Create a schedule and stick to the routine as much as possible. Prioritizing could increase organization and reduce caregiver-related stress.
2. Getting Siblings to Help Out
Your brothers and sisters may not share the caregiving responsibilities, putting more pressure on you. Never take on the role without assistance, because it could put your mental, emotional, and physical health at risk. Find positive ways to ask for help or consider using outside options such as respite care services.
Family caregivers need to care for their own wellbeing. If you’re caring for an aging loved one and are feeling overwhelmed, consider hiring a professional caregiver to provide respite care. Harrisburg families who want to prevent burnout can turn to Home Care. One of our professional caregivers can assist your loved one at home while you take a nap, go to work, run errands, or go on vacation.
3. Limited Privacy
Caring for an elderly parent at his or her home can involve guests dropping by unannounced. If you work from home or keep important information at the house, it may seem like you lack the privacy you deserve. Speak to your parent about establishing rules and boundaries. Explain that while connecting with family and friends is vital to his or her health, your loved one’s guests should respect your personal space when visiting.
4. Heavy Lifting
As seniors age and experience mobility issues, they often rely on caregivers to lift them into beds, showers, and chairs. The heavy lifting could cause muscle spasms, back pain, and significant injuries. If you’re unable to lift your parent, you’ll need to purchase devices that can help with mobility or have other family members assist with the heavy lifting.
A professional home caregiver can be a wonderful source of support for you and your family. If you’re the primary family caregiver for an elderly loved one and need additional assistance providing high-quality senior home care, Harrisburg Home Care can help. We are a leading home care agency committed to changing the way seniors age.
5. Lack of Socialization
People who balance work, children, and caregiving often find it difficult to attend social events. You need to do things that bring you joy instead of only participating in work-like activities. A lack of socialization could increase the odds of caregiver burnout.
6. Fear
There will be good days as well as times when you’re unsure how your loved one will respond to treatment or other challenges. As a family caregiver, you must do your best and learn to live with the results. Worrying about a diagnosis or things beyond your control can be stressful and prevent you from making sound decisions in the future.
7. No Emergency Plan
You may need to go out of town for work, attend a parent-teacher conference, or take time off due to illness. Without a contingency plan in place, you could put your loved one’s safety and health at risk. To address this issue, sit down with family members to create a backup plan for emergencies.
8. Being Afraid to Say “No”
You have the right to say “no” without the fear of being labeled mean or inconsiderate. Taking on duties that make you uncomfortable and accepting tasks you’re too tired to complete could be problematic. Therefore, you should establish limits and never be afraid to say “no” when those boundaries are crossed.
Families who need help caring for a senior loved one can turn to Home Care, a leading provider of at-home care. Services available in our customizable care plans include meal prep, mental and social stimulation, assistance with personal hygiene tasks, and much more. Call Home Care at (717) 540-4663 to learn more about our flexible and customizable senior care plans.