Stepping into the role as a family caregiver is a major life change that might be met with feelings of excitement mixed with worry. As with most life changes, you can expect to see some challenges along with rewarding moments. Planning now for the common problems you might face as a caregiver can help you feel more confident as you begin to help your senior loved one.
Experiencing Negativity from Other People
New family caregivers are often learning what to do to help their loved ones. You might not be a trained medical professional, but you do know what makes your loved one feel better. Try to avoid listening to negative feedback from people who don’t know what it’s like to be in your shoes. Although this might be challenging, it may be easier when you surround yourself with positive sources of support that include other caregivers as well as caring members of your family.
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 homecare services, Home Care Assistance can help. We are a leading home care agency committed to changing the way seniors age.
Managing Challenging Behaviors & Aggression
Depending on your loved one’s health diagnosis, you might see him or her act differently than in the past. Seniors with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia may sometimes act aggressively. When this happens, remember to stay calm, and remind yourself this isn’t your loved one purposely trying to be mean. Then try to figure out what’s wrong or redirect his or her attention to another activity. If your loved one is physically aggressive, arrange for someone to serve as backup to help you stay safe.
Figuring Out Scheduling Conflicts
You might not have realized how much time it would take to care for your loved one. There will be times when you have somewhere to be at the same time you need to take care of your loved one. For instance, you may both have medical appointments scheduled for the same day. Create a list of at least three people you can call for help when your schedule is overloaded. Friends, family, and professional caregivers are all options for making sure everything gets done.
If you’re the primary caregiver for a senior family member and are looking for professional elder care, Lincoln Home Care Assistance should be your top choice. Our dedicated and compassionate caregivers are committed to helping older adults manage their health and enjoy a higher quality of life in the golden years.
Preserving Dignity during Personal Hygiene Care
Things tend to go fairly well when caregivers are helping with common tasks, such as preparing meals. However, the realization that your loved one needs help with toileting or bathing may leave you wondering how you can preserve his or her privacy without sacrificing his or her health. A professional home caregiver can take this responsibility off your hands so both you and your loved one feel more comfortable.
Finding Time for Self-Care
Family caregivers also tend to overlook the importance of relaxation until they’re hit hard by burnout. Don’t wait for your stress level to reach this point, because it can cause problems with how you care for your loved one. Treat your caregiver role like a job and schedule regular breaks throughout your week. Taking time out for yourself helps you stay healthy so you can continue to assist your loved one.
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. Lincoln families who want to prevent burnout can turn to Home Care Assistance. 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. Call us today at (916) 226-3737 to discuss how we can give you the peace of mind that comes from knowing your loved one is being cared for with professionalism and compassion.