When family caregivers agree to take care of an elderly relative with dementia, they are assuming a lot of responsibility. Even family caregivers with the best of intentions can quickly find themselves overwhelmed and overworked. Caring for a relative with dementia requires a lot of physical and mental strength. Family caregivers must be proactive in managing the needs of their aging loved one as well as their own and hiring a home care provider can make a big difference.
Senior Dementia and Caregiver Stress
Too often, family caregivers underestimate the physical and mental stress that it takes to look after someone with dementia. In its mildest form, dementia only changes a little about an aging person’s life. However, in medium to severe stages, the dementia takes away the elderly person’s ability to live independently and do things for themselves. Some seniors with dementia struggle to do housework, bathe regularly, pay bills, and prepare meals.
As the dementia progresses, family caregivers find themselves spending more time and effort on their behalf. It doesn’t take long for the caregiver to put their own needs last. Without the right balance, it’s common for family caregivers to experience chronic stress. Physical and mental health can suffer under chronic stress, including insomnia, high blood pressure, headaches, lethargy, isolation, and depression. It’s essential for family caregivers to make self-care a priority when looking after an aging relative with dementia.
Home Care Providers Can Help
When family caregivers are unable to get regular breaks from their duties, they will have a lot of stress. There are plenty of different solutions to this dilemma, but one of the most reliable and effective is to hire a home care provider. Professional home care providers are trained to care for seniors with physical and mental disabilities and disabled adults with compassion and expertise. They can assist with bathing, dressing, grooming and hygiene. Additionally, they can complete household tasks like cleaning, laundry and meal preparation.
When a home care provider is on hand to provide services for the aging adult with dementia, it gives the family caregiver a chance to take a break, run some errands and tend to other responsibilities. Regularly scheduled respite is extremely important for family caregivers to manage their stress levels. With quality breaks, overstressed family caregivers can find the balance they need to stay mentally and physically strong enough to support an elderly relative with dementia.
It’s much more difficult to take care of someone when the caregiver is not healthy and focused. They quickly become less effective at offering the quality of care that an aging person with dementia needs. For families that are in situations like this, they might want to consider hiring a home care provider to shoulder some of the responsibilities and empower the family caregiver with the tools they need to support their elderly loved one with dementia.
If you or an aging loved one are considering Home Care Services in Dover MA, or anywhere in Eastern Massachusetts, please call the caring staff at CARE Resolutions – (508) 906-5572.
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