The Government of Canada’s Senior Action Report notes many older adults are living longer and healthier lives today. While this is certainly good news, some seniors need assistance from family caregivers to maintain their quality of life as much as possible while aging. While rewarding at times, providing this type of care can also be exhausting. Here are some reasons this can be the case and some related tips to keep in mind.
Increasing Demands on Time
What’s sometimes termed “compassion fatigue” refers to increasing demands on time to provide compassionate and appropriate care for a senior loved one. This type of exhaustion often becomes a problem when caregiving needs become more time-consuming. Possible solutions include:
• Reaching out to other family members for assistance
• Setting reasonable boundaries in a way that doesn’t affect your loved one’s safety or wellbeing
• Exploring options with in-home care to make time management less exhausting
Families who need help caring for a senior loved one can turn to Home Care Assistance, a leading provider of senior care. Services available in our customizable care plans include meal prep, mental and social stimulation, assistance with personal hygiene tasks, and much more.
Financial Stress
Juggling your own finances can be an even more exhausting task if you’re also helping your loved one with medical bills or prescription drug costs that aren’t covered by insurance. Your financial stress could be further compounded if you have to reduce your working hours to provide care. For prescription drugs, some Canadian provinces have programs your loved one may be eligible for. If a reduction in working hours is a concern, in-home care provided during specific hours of the day may solve this problem.
Unrealistic Expectations
Seniors receiving care sometimes have unrealistic expectations of their caregivers. Addressing issues of this nature on a regular basis can certainly be exhausting. With situations like this, it may be helpful to have a family meeting to clear the air. Even just having an open, honest discussion with your loved one about expectations may help.
Physical Demands
Being a caregiver can literally leave you physically exhausted if your regular care duties involve a slew of tasks on a never-ending to-do list. If the physical demands of caregiving simply become too much for you, reach out to other family members or check into senior ride options or home delivery services for prescriptions and meals. Even soliciting help from friends or neighbors for routine errands or yard care for your loved one could ease your physical burden. With in-home care, many common daily tasks can be professionally taken care of while you get a well-deserved break.
Professional caregivers can be a wonderful source of information and support for family members caring for aging loved ones. When researching agencies that provide at-home care, Mississauga, ON, families are usually looking for flexible care plans, compassionate and highly trained caregivers, and 24/7 availability. Whether you need respite care to take a break from your caregiving duties or your senior loved one needs around-the-clock assistance at home, you can rely on Home Care Assistance.
Emotional & Mental Strain
Watching a loved one need more care over time can be emotionally draining. Family caregivers are also susceptible to mental exhaustion from a lack of interaction with other people, the regular demands of care, and feeling as if they have no emotional outlets. Possible ways of managing this type of exhaustion include:
• Joining support groups for family caregivers
• Considering in-home or respite care so regular breaks can be taken for longer periods to recharge mentally
• Keeping a journal or having a trusted friend to discuss feelings and frustrations with
• Focusing on positive aspects of care as much as possible, such as getting to know your parent as an adult friend
Whether you need respite from your caregiving duties or your aging loved one needs 24-hour care, Mississauga, ON, Home Care Assistance can meet your family’s care needs. Our dedicated caregivers are available around the clock to provide transportation to doctor’s appointments, ensure seniors take their prescribed medications, and help with a variety of tasks in and outside the home. If you need compassionate, professional home care for your loved one, call one of our friendly Care Managers today at 905-337-1200.