When your elderly loved one gets to the stage where they require more specialized care, it’s common for family members to try to avoid sending them to a nursing home. Instead, many people choose to provide care for their elderly loved ones, which can be both rewarding yet challenging.
However, there is another option that sits between placing your loved one in a nursing home and providing care all by yourself. In-home care allows your loved one to stay in the comfort of their homes while being cared for, and it might be the best option for everyone.
When Is In-Home Care the Best Option Over Friends and Family?
Caregivers face unique challenges when caring for their elderly loved ones, especially as they try to balance the care with their own lives and obligations. When dealing with some of these challenges, consider how in-home care can help to alleviate some of these issues for you.
Time Management
This is one of the biggest challenges people face: managing their time. Not only might you be caring for your older loved one, but you may also be parenting children who are still living at home.
Having an in-home care option can help, especially since you don’t need to just stop looking after your loved one. You can hire a carer to help with your loved one for a few hours a week, or to help with some of the tasks that are more difficult for you. This will help you better manage your schedule.
Their Health and Lifestyle
Especially if you have work or family obligations of your own, you might not have the emotional, mental, or physical ability to be caring for a loved one with more serious health conditions. It may be challenging to take them for daily walks or keep them active. And, of course, there are tasks that need to be done as a part of daily living that they may be struggling with, like getting in and out of bed or getting dressed. Some patients also require specialized medical attention, which not all family members have the expertise to provide.
An in-home caregiver can be there specifically to help your loved one maintain their lifestyle, attend to their daily needs and provide the medical attention they require.
Your Relationships
Caring for a senior family member can bring all sorts of challenges for your family, often causing strain on relationships. It’s an emotional time, and you might even inadvertently experience issues with your siblings, your children, or even your elderly loved one if they feel like they’re losing their autonomy.
This is where in-home care can help to relieve some of that stress as there is a dedicated professional taking care of your loved one and taking some of the burden off your shoulders.
Isolation and Burnout
It’s common for caregivers to find themselves feeling isolated. With your caregiving duties, it might be challenging for you to spend time with friends or other members of your family. In addition, if your loved one is living with you, it may be hard for you to feel as though you can relax or have any time to yourself. This can often lead to loneliness, depression, or even burnout, where the caregiver feels exhausted both emotionally and physically.
With professional in-home care for your loved one, you’ll be able to strike a better balance between being there for your loved one and still being able to live your life.
Conclusion
Being a caregiver is complex and challenging. You’ll be spending a lot of time looking after your family member’s needs, leaving much less time on your own family, yourself, or your work. It might be a good idea for you to consider hiring a professional carer to provide at-home care then since they can help you avoid these challenges so that everyone can live more fulfilling lives.
Ultimately, the decision depends on the preferences and requirements of the individual and family members, so good communication is essential. Don’t hesitate to call Comfort Keepers to learn more about how our in-home care may be the best option for your loved one.
