“Of course Grandpa can move in with me!”
Increasingly more family senior care providers are making this noble choice every day, signifying the beginning of lifestyle changes they may only fully understand when immersed in them. And while the rewards of providing care for an older family member are immeasurable, they are not without a number of struggles as well.
It might seem natural to take care of everyday tasks for a senior loved one; yet it is not quite as easy as it seems initially. For instance, helping a loved one in the shower or bath incorrectly may lead to a fall. Poor incontinence care can cause skin damage and infection. Noncompliance with a prescribed dietary plan may result in a wide array of health problems.
It is no wonder that in a recent report shared by AARP, “Home Alone Revisited,” many family caregivers mentioned pressure over the potential for making an error in the care they provide. The study highlights answers from a survey sent to over 2,000 family caregivers, who indicated that although they thought their caregiving was making it possible for their loved ones to age at home instead of moving to an assisted living or nursing home setting, they expressed concern over their experience to complete the tasks needed.
Participants in the study revealed that the most emotionally complicated element of caregiving is incontinence care. And, nearly ¾ of family caregivers interviewed are consistently carrying out medical tasks connected with pain management – tasks for which they wished they’d been given better instruction and assistance from the senior’s medical care team.
Heather Young, dean emerita at the Betty Irene Moore School of Nursing at the University of California, Davis (and co-author of this report) says that, “Too often (family caregivers) are unprepared and do not get the support they need to assume these important roles.”
Asking for guidance and training in new responsibilities is vital for family caregivers. Those who partner with an experienced in-home care provider, like Midnight Sun Home Care, can reduce the trepidation and anxiety in managing care at home effectively. Our caregivers are professionally trained in the countless complexities of aging care, and will provide family members with necessary assistance and education. We also offer safe, reliable respite care services that enable family caregivers to step away from their care responsibilities while knowing their senior family member will be safe and well cared for.
If you’re looking for a personal care assistant in Alaska to share in caregiving responsibilities, reach out to us at (907) 677-7890 for a free in-home consultation to find out more.
