5 Assumptions You Should Avoid Making as a Family Caregiver

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Assumptions Family Caregivers

Having a family member provide care can make a senior’s later years more comfortable. However, it is fairly easy for family caregivers to get mistaken ideas that can make it difficult to carry out their duties. To make sure your senior loved one receives the best care possible, avoid making the following five faulty assumptions. 

1. You Can Do Everything Yourself 

Many family caregivers think they can take care of their loved ones all by themselves, so they do not consider hiring help or asking family members for assistance. If you believe you can do everything on your own, you may need to remember your limitations. Trying to do everything yourself could make you so exhausted and stressed that you cannot provide adequate care. 

If you are the primary family caregiver for an elderly loved one and need additional assistance providing high-quality home care, Lincoln Home Care Assistance can help. We are a leading home care agency committed to changing the way seniors age.

2. You Know All About Your Loved One’s Condition 

With all the details available on the internet, it’s easy to assume you are just as qualified to care for your loved one as a healthcare professional. Even if you may have some knowledge and firsthand awareness of your loved one’s condition, step back and remember you’re not as experienced as professionals who have seen countless similar cases before. It’s important to follow all doctor’s instructions as precisely as possible. 

3. You’re the Only One Who Can Provide Proper Care 

Caregivers often assume no one else can provide a decent amount of care for their senior loved ones, and this assumption may lead them to overextend themselves. If you’re nitpicking relatives or harassing healthcare staff, it could cause issues with your personal and professional relationships. Even if your relationship with your loved one is unique, you might still need help caring for him or her.

Caring for a senior loved one can be rewarding, but it can also be overwhelming for family caregivers who have other responsibilities they need to focus on. For these families, the perfect solution is respite care. Lincoln families rely on our caregivers whenever they need time to rest, work, run errands, and even go on vacation.  

4. You Need to Protect Others from Reality

It’s quite common for a family caregiver to learn new information about his or her loved one’s condition and withhold it from other family members. Hiding essential information can cause a lot of resentment and sorrow when the family members find out they were shut out of important decisions. Being upfront about your loved one’s condition gives other family members the opportunity to plan accordingly and help you out. 

5. You’re No Different from a Hired Caregiver

In the later stages of your loved one’s illness, you may end up feeling more like an employee than a relative. Remember you provide far more than just basic caregiving assistance. Even if your loved one is not able to recognize you, having a loving family member attending to his or her needs can ensure the best possible quality of life.

Hiring a professional caregiver is one of the best ways to ensure your senior loved one receives high-quality in-home care. Although it may be challenging to find reliable, highly rated senior home care, Lincoln, CA, families can turn to Home Care Assistance. Our respite and live-in caregivers are expertly trained to assist seniors with a wide array of important tasks, including cooking, bathing, light housekeeping, and exercise. To create a comprehensive in-home care plan for your elderly loved one, give us a call at (916) 226-3737 today.

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