This sponsored post was submitted by Vidal Home Care.
Caring for a loved one requires strength and courage. Whether you are navigating the unpredictable waters of Alzheimer’s or doing your best to provide a safe environment for a caree, please know this: you are not alone.
As people age or progress through the stages of an illness, more care may be required to ensure their comfort, safety, and health — and sometimes, only a professional can meet these needs. In other cases, choosing care outside of the home may be the best option.
Whether you are considering outside help or are beginning to look into the future, these signs may indicate you’re ready for the next step.
Concern for Safety
At some point, your caree may experience a fall or accident because of limited or decreasing mobility or agility. Sometimes, the concern of leaving a loved one alone to do errands outside the home is too great. Many caretaking families experience this same struggle.
When the falls become more frequent, or the fear of leaving them alone increases, or your caree cannot be alone for other safety reasons; it may be time to consider home care.
This doesn’t always mean you must hire full-time care. You may start with hiring respite care when you have errands to run, or other things to attend to inside the home.
Home care offers a variety of options and flexibility in providing a safe environment for your loved one. And by adding support, you’re able to provide better care.
Also, if the home care provider has additional medical certifications, he or she may be able to provide immediate assistance should another health event or emergency arise.
Medically Necessary
Taking on the role as a caregiver is honorable and selfless. Much of the caretaker part is attainable for most family members, but recognizing where your care stops and medical intervention begins can be challenging.
Depending on the type of care you are providing — or what your loved one is dealing with — medication schedules, dietary restrictions, and monitoring health status can be overwhelming.
It may be time to consider at home help when these things begin to cloud other areas of care. Many home care agencies provide an assurance that your loved one receives their medications on time and is fed a proper diet. This help frees you up to spend more quality time with your loved one.
Your To-Do List is Way Overdue
When taking care of a loved one becomes the top priority, other areas of life may begin to take a backseat. When your to-do list is left unchecked — no washing dishes for days, the laundry is piling up — and you have yet another doctor’s appointment to attend, you may want to consider outside help.
There are many facets of care that don’t mean a nurse is sitting with your loved one (which is still amazing!). Most care providers also do light housekeeping, meal preparation, and offer transportation services for a minimal financial burden. Just because you are taking care of someone else doesn’t mean pressing pause on every other area of your life.
Caregiver Fatigue
When it comes to ensuring that our loved ones are safe and provided for, it’s easy to take on more responsibility than we should. Feelings of guilt and grief may have become closer companions than you expected. Stress and anxiety present a daily battle in making decisions or trying to remember a medication schedule.
If you wish to be a supportive carer, you will need to be your best self for the sake of your loved one. It’s not selfish. Bringing in additional help is just the opposite. It is being the most responsible in setting limits to what you can provide and ensuring your loved one is cared for in the best possible way.
Choose Compassionately
Choosing to bring in home care is never an easy decision. Maybe you are concerned with the financial aspect of providing extra care. You may feel the guilt of not being able to offer everything your loved one needs all the time. These are all valid feelings, but by reaching out for support, you’re ensuring you can keep providing care for as long as possible.
