Family caregivers often keep working through their daily schedule without taking the time to rest. Caring for a senior loved one comes with many responsibilities, and it’s easy to overlook just how much doing things such as laundry and house cleaning can add up. These five reasons for why caregivers need breaks highlights the importance of making sure you have plenty of support.
1. Medication Mishaps Happen When Caregivers Get Tired
One of the key roles many family caregivers serve is overlooking how their loved one’s medication is dispensed. However, being overly stressed can cause a caregiver to make serious medication mistakes. Even one missed dose can cause seniors with certain health conditions to experience ill effects, and it may be even worse if they take too much medication at a time. Ask someone to help with this task if you feel exhausted.
An in-home caregiver can assist your loved one with medication management and other important daily tasks. Families shouldn’t have to worry about finding reliable home care. Mississauga Home Care Assistance is a leading provider of elderly home care. We offer a proprietary program called the Balanced Care Method, which uses holistic methods to promote senior health, our caregivers and Care Managers are available 24/7, and all of our in-home care services are backed with a 100% satisfaction guarantee.
2. Exhausted Caregivers Are More Likely to Get Hurt
A caregiver who isn’t thinking clearly may also make misjudgments that lead to injury. For instance, you may forget to use safe lifting practices while transferring your loved one from one place to another. Regular breaks can keep the mind sharp, and you can even use your break times to research new best practices for senior care to add to your daily routine.
3. A Lack of Rest Can Lower Immunity
Anyone who is overworked can experience a lowered immune system because the body doesn’t have enough energy to fight off germs. Family caregivers are also exposed to more pathogens than the average person since they often spend large amounts of time in hospitals or doctor office waiting rooms. Taking a break helps the body recover from the stress so it can ward off infections.
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. Mississauga 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. Family Caregivers Have High Rates of Depression
Family caregivers may always seem to be smiling, but that could just be a mask they put on to show the world. Caregivers often experience stressful events on a daily basis, and watching as their loved one’s health decreases can take its toll. A break allows time to recover from the stress. You can also choose to go to counseling or a support group to find new ways to manage the emotional strain of your role.
5. Seniors Benefit When Caregivers Take a Break
Seniors need their caregivers to take a break just as bad as their caregivers need one. When family caregivers step away, seniors are treated to the opportunity to spend time with someone new. Older adults also enjoy seeing their caregivers have time to do something that keeps them healthy and happy. When it’s all added up, taking a break before you burn out is beneficial for both you and your loved one.
Caring for a senior loved one can be challenging for families who don’t have expertise or professional training in home care, but this challenge doesn’t have to be faced alone. Family caregivers can turn to Home Care Assistance for the help they need. We provide high-quality live-in and respite care as well as comprehensive Alzheimer’s, dementia, stroke, and Parkinson’s care. Give one of our friendly Care Managers a call today at 905-337-1200 to schedule a free consultation.