Caregivers play significant roles in their senior loved ones’ lives, which is why they need assistance from others when taking on caregiver-related tasks. Receiving help, especially from siblings, can make caregiving less challenging and more comfortable to handle as time goes by. Below are a few ways family caregivers can get more assistance.
Delegate Tasks
Waiting for others to volunteer to help with your parent’s care could take a while or never happen at all. Take charge and delegate the responsibilities to your siblings and others based on their strengths and availability. For example, if your brother works near your loved one’s pharmacy, give him the responsibility of dropping off and picking up prescriptions and helping with medication management. Make sure to split the tasks up evenly to prevent everyone from becoming overwhelmed.
An experienced professional caregiver can be a wonderful asset for you and your family as you manage the many responsibilities of providing care for your loved one. Though you may be researching multiple agencies that provide senior home care, Home Care Assistance has much to offer your family and your elderly loved one. We are leaders in the senior home care industry, offering proprietary programs like our holistic Balanced Care Method and around-the-clock assistance from reliable, experienced caregivers. Trust Home Care Assistance to help your loved one enjoy a happier and healthier life in the golden years.
Explain the Situation Clearly
Sometimes family and friends are unaware of how much family caregivers sacrifice, which is why you should be honest and open about the role. Offer details about how it affects your quality of life, and explain how receiving more help could benefit your mental, physical, and emotional health. When your siblings learn how doing more could benefit your health and the health of your parent, they may be more inclined to help with the caregiving responsibilities.
Being a caregiver for a loved one can be extremely rewarding, but it can also feel overwhelming at times. If you’re the primary family caregiver for an elderly loved one and need additional assistance providing high-quality homecare, Lakewood Home Care Assistance can help. We are a leading home care agency committed to changing the way seniors age.
Refrain from Using Negative Tones & Phrases
Your siblings and other family members may get upset if you speak in an angry, resentful, or condescending tone. Although everyone should be helping out, you should never make your family feel guilty, as it could cause them to refuse to help and damage your relationship. Instead, be polite and welcoming. It’s okay to be honest about how you feel, but you should never place blame on your siblings. Caregiving is a role that people accept or volunteer for, so they have the right to say no when you ask for help. However, maintaining positive tones and body language could be more appealing, as opposed to asking angrily.
Seek Out Respite Care Services
Asking family and friends for help seems like the most logical option, but many family caregivers hire professionals to come in and help with their loved ones’ care. Respite care services are available on an as-needed basis, meaning you can use respite care if you want to get away for the weekend or you need assistance while your loved one recovers from an illness or injury.
Respite care is flexible and can help you refresh, regroup, and refocus. A professional caregiver could also offer you tips and advice that simplify your daily tasks. Another benefit of hiring a caregiver is having an unbiased person around who can provide honest feedback to resolve conflicts between you and other family members.
Family caregivers need to care for their own wellbeing. If you’re caring for an aging loved one and are feeling overwhelmed, consider hiring a professional caregiver to provide respite care. Lakewood families who want to prevent burnout can turn to Home Care Assistance. One of our professional caregivers can assist your loved one at home while you take a nap, go to work, run errands, or go on vacation. Call one of our Care Managers at (303) 987-5992 to learn about our customized in-home care plans.