Learn how to overcome the leading obstacles family caregivers encounter when caring for older loved ones.
Taking care of your aging parents is a tremendously rewarding act of love. As you think about the care they provided for you when you were growing up, you now have the opportunity to do the same. It allows you to take your relationship with your parents to an entire new level.
Having said that, providing care for loved ones isn’t always a bed of roses. It is important to understand the pitfalls you may experience and to learn how to manage them to protect your own health and wellbeing. A few of the common obstacles family caregivers encounter include:
Lack of Sleep
Interrupted sleep can stem from an older adult whose circadian clock has shifted, causing them to waken more frequently during the night. It can be caused by worry and stress. If dementia is a factor, sundowning and wandering can cause you to stay on alert. Ample sleep is crucial to your ability to offer the most effective care for your parents, as well as for your own physical and emotional wellness.
Lack of Support
You may feel as if the bulk of caregiving falls on your shoulders. This can lead you to assume you are solely responsible for your parents’ care, which is not just overwhelming, but can cause hurt feelings and frustration in other relationships. No one person can effectively care for another by themselves. Trying to achieve this places you at an increased risk for depression, burnout, and other serious health problems, and also impacts the level of care your parents receive.
Lack of Privacy
Your physical and emotional privacy can both be affected if you’re sharing living space with your parents. This is especially true if one or both of your parents have dementia, which may cause them to feel lost or fearful when you step out of the room. Similarly, your parents may struggle to maintain privacy while in your care.
How Can You Combat These Common Obstacles Family Caregivers Encounter?
Fortunately, there is one simple solution to all of these concerns. Abby Senior Care’s in-home caregivers are available to partner with you to ensure the best care for your parents and a healthier life balance for you. Taking time away from caregiving is not just an excellent idea; it’s imperative.
Our respite care services allow you to take necessary regular breaks from caregiving for your own self-care, while enriching the lives of your parents. We provide additional opportunities for socialization and engagement in enjoyable activities along with the necessary support to promote safety and comfort—so you can have peace of mind knowing your parents are in the very best of hands while you’re away.
Contact us at 303-699-8840 to learn more about our customized in-home care solutions for older adults. Our services are available in Littleton, Arvada, Greenwood Village, and the surrounding areas. Visit our Service Area page to see if we can help in your community.