Caring for an aging loved one is an incredibly challenging task, but family caregivers need to realize that help is available. If you’re the primary caregiver for an elderly loved one, respite care can be beneficial for both of you. Here’s a closer look at just a few of the reasons you should take a closer look at respite care.
1. Increased Social Engagement
Personally interacting with your loved one is important, but he or she also needs to socialize with other people. With respite care, your loved one can interact with someone who has a different background and unique experiences. The in-home caregiver can play games with your loved one and engage in other activities that boost cognitive health. Studies have shown social interactions can greatly decrease the risk of depression, anxiety, and many other serious health complications.
2. Minimized Problems Between Caregivers and Loved Ones
You’re probably going to have occasional disagreements with your loved one during your time together. When you spend several hours with another individual, arguments can occur, and you need to be able to step back from the situation. Without respite care, you might find yourself resenting your loved one, and he or she might share those feelings.
Although it may be challenging to find reliable, highly rated in-home care, Montgomery, AL, 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.
3. Greater Chance for Relaxation
To be a great caregiver, you must be able to relax. Even if your loved one is relatively independent, you could be spending dozens of hours a month on caregiving duties, and that extra work could eventually impact your quality of life. When the caregiver stops by and takes over your duties, you can spend some time focusing on yourself. Simply reading a book or heading to the park for a few hours a week can drastically enhance your outlook on the situation.
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. Montgomery 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.
4. Maintained Sense of Identity
When another person depends on you every day, it’s easy to lose your own identity. Over time, it might begin to feel as if you’re nothing more than a caregiver, which could result in many different emotional health issues, including depression and severe mood swings. Hanging out with your friends, enjoying hobbies, and spending time with other family members can renew your sense of identity. You might also want to consider joining a caregiver support group if you feel as if your emotional health is deteriorating.
5. Increased Physical Safety
One of the reasons many caregivers never set aside time for themselves is because they’re worried about their loved ones’ physical safety. If that sounds like your own situation, respite care could be a great option. A respite caregiver can keep your loved one safe and comfortable by helping with tasks such as daily hygiene and medication reminders, so you’ll be able to rest assured your loved one is being taken care of.
There are a variety of age-related health conditions that can make it more challenging for seniors to live independently. However, many of the challenges they face can be easier to manage if their families opt for professional home care. You can rely on expertly trained caregivers to keep your loved one safe and comfortable while aging in place. Home Care Assistance can be your trusted partner when your loved one needs help with the challenges of aging. Call us today at (334) 593-3988 to learn about our high-quality in-home respite care services.