According to the Population Reference Bureau, Americans above sixty-five will make up 24% of the total population by 2040. Additionally, 9 out of every ten persons above 65 say that they would want to age in place. Independence and freedom to live as they wish are the primary reasons provided for wanting to remain at home. Home care services can help your loved one achieve just that.

What Is Caregiver Guilt and Burnout?

As a primary caregiver, guilt may be a familiar feeling for you. It propels you to do everything you can to care for your loved one, most times, at the detriment of your health. But everyone has a breaking point, and the caregiver burnout sets it.

Caregiver burnout is physical, mental, and emotional exhaustion that arises from the responsibilities of caring for another individual. You may focus too much on the needs of your loved one, often neglecting yours. It is important to acknowledge the warning signs and seek help, such as home care services.

Sings of Caregiver Stress

Most primary caregivers are often accustomed to the heavy demands of caring for their loved ones that they never notice the burnout set in. Here are some warning signs that you may need to call in elderly care services.

• You no longer find pleasure in activities you used to enjoy
• Fatigue
• Having problems relating with other members of your family or friends
• Having trouble sleeping, drastic weight changes, or unexplained medical conditions
• Becoming easily irritated or angry

How Home Care Services Can Help You Manage the Guilt and the Stress

The guilt may trap you into thinking that you have failed if you seek help through elderly home care services. However, the in-home caregiver can help look after your parent, and you take a break to tend to yourself. Here are a few ways you can benefit.

1. Round-The Clock Home Care

One of the greatest worries for most primary caregivers is to leave their loved ones unattended. You do not have to push yourself hard beyond the limits with in-home caregivers ready to help. You can have companionship and a general caregiving package, where the caregiver will spend the day with your parent. They can also carry out housekeeping, grooming, and meal preparations.

2. Respite Care

Ready to take a slight break from the responsibilities? Respite care packages from elderly home care agencies allow aides to come to your place and look after your loved one for an agreed period. You could use the weekend getaway, a few days off the week, or even a couple of weeks to get yourself back into good shape. You can have peace of mind that your Mom or Papa is still receiving the care they need.

3. Home Health Care

The in-home caregiver can handle transportation duties for your parent, taking them to their medical appointments. Additionally, they can remind your loved ones to take their medication. You do not have to worry about your parent missing their dose while you are out running errands.

Caregiver’s burnout and guilt are real yet often ignored. Take a break to look after yourself with home care services so that you can better look after your loved one. To check out Alarys’ respite care or 24-hour in-home care service packages, contact us today to learn more about our services.

The average lifespan in the U.S. has nearly doubled over the last century and is presently at 78 years. The Census Bureau expects the ‘silver tsunami’ to continue over the next decade, with 10,000 baby boomers celebrating their birthdays daily. About 90% of these seniors say they prefer to age in place.

It may be difficult for your parent to admit that they need home care assistance to handle some basic activities of daily living. As a primary caregiver, it is devastating to watch them struggle to take care of themselves. No matter how much you love them, you cannot look after them alone. Senior home care services allow you to take a break while providing the right level of care for your loved one.

Without the right information, you can make costly mistakes during the hiring process. Here are five pitfalls that you should look out for.

1. Holding Off Until It’s Too Late

The Alzheimer’s Association reports that one in every three seniors dies from Alzheimer’s or a similar form of dementia. Most families often postpone the conversation about home care assistance until it’s too late. In a rush, they end up hiring the wrong elderly care service for their parent. Research shows that enlisting in-home care early enough may improve the senior’s physical and mental health.

2. Not Having an In-Home Assessment

Some families mistakenly hire a caregiver without establishing if they are the right fit for their parent. Elderly care services ought to provide an in-home assessment that allows all parties involved to establish an elaborate care plan. It allows the senior to meet the new caregiver and lay a strong foundation for a healthy working relationship.

3. Focusing More on Cost Instead of Credibility

Home health care expenditure reached a staggering $97 billion in 2017. While it may seem important to put more emphasis on the home care assistance costs, it may be the wrong approach. It is important to have a budget. However, you should not compromise the safety and security of your parent in the hope of saving a few hundred dollars. The skills and the personality of the caregiver ought to be equally evaluated with the financial side of things.

4. Flying Solo for the Search

While you may be the primary caregiver of your loved one, it is advisable to consult the rest of the family before making a choice. Most seniors say they prefer to age at home to maintain their freedom and independence. Hiring home care assistance without their input may make them reject the idea of 24-hour in-home care. For less friction, try to keep everyone in the loop as you go through the hiring process.

5. Choosing the Wrong Type of Home Care Service

Home care services offer different levels of care for their clients. Families that fail to conduct adequate research on the home care assistance providers may end up enlisting for the wrong program for their loved one. Do you need specialized nursing care or just a caregiver for general companionship? Analyze your senior’s needs before making the decision.

Finding the right home care assistance for your parent is key to keeping them healthy and safe. You need to take time to research the potential caregivers to avoid making these costly mistakes. For more information on choosing the right in-home care services, contact Alarys Home Care.