If you’re in a caregiver role, it’s crucial to start thinking about getting outside help. Even if you feel like you can handle your duties now, caregiving is a job that becomes more difficult over time as your loved one’s needs become increasingly complex. At some point, you will need help, and home care can really lighten your load.
Here’s why getting home care for your loved one is a good idea, even if you still want to remain a caregiver.
1. Your loved one might want companionship
With home health services, your loved one won’t get much companionship. That’s not what they’re there for, and it’s not in their budget to offer those services.
This is why home care is so important. Some home care companies offer companion care designed to keep seniors actively engaged in life. For example, a companion caregiver might share a meal or play cards with your loved one. They’ll be there to do just about anything your loved one enjoys, including:
- Watching television
- Putting puzzles together
- Taking a walk
- Drinking coffee or tea at a café
- Going to the movies
- Playing board games
- Knitting/crocheting
The best part about home care companionship is that your loved one can be decently independent and still enjoy the company. It’s never good to be in isolation, and having someone to connect with in a friendly way can alleviate that burden.
2. Home care prevents caregiver burnout
Caregiver burnout is real, and it’s a state of emotional, mental, and physical exhaustion that arises from caring for another person. It doesn’t take long to realize how easy it is to burn out, but caregivers tend to push their own limits far beyond what they should.
Taking care of an elderly or disabled loved one is hard work, whether you’re doing it alone or you have help. The challenge isn’t so much the number of tasks that need to be done, but rather, the emotional and energetic impact. For example, you might only need to take them to a doctor’s appointment, but that won’t necessarily be easy.
It’s not like driving to a friend’s house and having them hop in the car so you can speed away to your destination. You’ll probably need to take the day off work, and it will be a process to get them ready and into the car, then into the doctor’s office, and back home again. By the time you’re done, you’ll feel as if you’ve run a marathon, but you’ll have to keep going, continually performing exhausting tasks.
Getting home care services for your loved one will alleviate the pressure of having to perform so many exhausting tasks that zap your energy. You’ll get relief, even if only for a few days a week. If you’ve been caregiving for any amount of time, you know that getting covered for just a few hours is worthwhile.
3. You can’t do everything
If you’re trying to be the sole caregiver, or you have family and friends who just don’t want to help, home care will be the best choice you’ll ever make. You really can’t do everything yourself, and the sooner you look for additional help, the better.
Don’t make the mistake of avoiding home care because you think you can convince family members to take on the role of a caregiver. If they haven’t already volunteered, that’s an uphill battle that probably won’t end to your liking.
4. Home care workers are efficient and trained
Caregiving is a service and there are skills to learn in order to be efficient and safe. For example, if you rely on having your loved one lean on you while you walk them to the bathroom, that’s probably not safe unless they’re steady on their feet.
There’s also a correct way to lift someone up to a standing position and transfer them to a chair or even the toilet.
Home care workers are trained and will always do their job in the safest manner possible. They can even show you some new things to help you when you’re alone with your loved one.
Home care services support a better quality of life
The biggest home care benefit to your loved one is having an improved quality of life. Whether you’re just providing them with companionship care, daily routine care, or more, your loved one will be fully supported to thrive when they have home care services.
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