5 Reasons You May Want to Rethink Providing Care for Your Aging Parent
When your mother or father experiences changes in physical or mental health that make it difficult to live alone safely, your first thought may be to invite your aging parent into your home to provide the necessary care. Yet, even the most loving and devoted adult children sometimes have difficulty providing the care their parents deserve. Here are five reasons to think twice about caring for your mom or dad.
1. Chronic Health Conditions Are Difficult to Manage
Although it may seem simple enough to ensure mom takes her medicine on time every day, many of the chronic health conditions the elderly face come with a number of complex side effects. It can become overwhelming for inexperienced family caregivers to manage such responsibilities without proper training, and in some cases, it’s best for them to be surrounded by experienced professional caregivers.
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 elderly home care. Dallas families can rely on expertly trained caregivers to keep their loved ones safe and comfortable while aging in place
2. Relationships Are Difficult to Maintain
Sons and daughters often don’t realize they’ll be giving up their role as family member in place of caregiver. It can be difficult to separate both roles, often causing tension and sometimes damaging the once strong relationship between parent and child. Parents can often feel embarrassed or ashamed that help is needed, further damaging the relationship.
3. Safety Is Constantly at Risk
Regardless of your attempts to provide safety for your parent, unless you can keep a close eye on things around the clock, regular household items like the stove, the car, and even the fireplace can all become hazards. If your loved one is living with a chronic age-related condition, he or she may even need 24-hour care to ensure maximum safety and comfort.
The type of home care seniors need can vary. Some need assistance a few hours a day, while others require more extensive around-the-clock assistance. At Home Care Assistance, we tailor our care plans based on each senior’s individual care needs, and the plans can be adjusted at any time.
4. Your Emotional Wellbeing Is at Stake
The reality of being a caregiver is you’ll have less time to yourself, and this means your own social life will be impacted. Feelings such as stress, exhaustion, and anxiety are common with caregiving, and it’s important for family caregivers to be aware of these feelings and possible options for support.
5. Caregiving Impacts All Aspects of Life
When you choose to care for your parent, it affects your entire family. You’ll have less time to spend with your spouse and your children, and this can negatively impact the family dynamic. Depending on your loved one’s care needs, you may also need to reduce hours at work or stop pursuing your career.
For some families, caring for a senior loved one can be overwhelming at times. Luckily, they can rely on professional respite care. Dallas Home Care Assistance is a trusted name in respite and hourly care. Our caregivers are available around the clock to assist seniors with bathing, transportation, medication reminders, exercise, and much more, allowing families the time they need to focus on other important responsibilities or just take a break. To schedule a complimentary consultation with one of our friendly and qualified Care Managers, give us a call today at [hca_phone].