Easing the Burden of Family Carers
Approximately 274,000 family carers throughout Ireland offer home care to their ill, disabled or aging spouse, but often at the risk of stress-related conditions including anxiety, depression, headaches, backaches and sleep deprivation. Eventually, care for an ailing loved one can lead to burnout in which the carer is depleted physically, mentally and emotionally.
Yet hesitations can arise over enlisting a professional home care service for help. After managing the care for so long, some spouses find it difficult to relinquish their home carering duties to someone else. Others struggle with guilt for no longer being able to provide the necessary care. Still others are not convinced anyone else will oversee their spouse’s health as well as they can.
Securing the help of a professional home care service is not a sign of weakness or giving up on the ailing family member, nor is asking for at-home care being selfish. Instead, hiring a trained caregiving service is actually showing greater love and concern for the spouse receiving care.
To encourage family carers to allow professional home care support, other family members and friends may consider the following:
- Reaffirm that it’s okay to recharge. Family carers need to refresh their own overall health. Respite breaks are excellent for going to the gym, seeing a movie or lingering with a friend over coffee.
- Help investigate home healthcare options. It’s important to select a reputable, experienced in-home care provider like Right at Home. Asking pertinent questions of potential in-home care services is vital.
- Involve the ailing loved one in care decisions. As much as possible, invite the care recipient to weigh in on professional caregiving choices.
- Assist with setting limits. Family carers often find it hard to say “no” and to let go of some home and care duties. It is better for everyone when the caregiving spouse eases up on unrealistic to-do lists.
What benefits do you perceive in seeking the professional help of an adult home care service?
