November is National Family Caregivers Month, designated to honor individuals who have taken on caretaking roles for aging family members and to recognize the demanding work and sacrifice that it requires. From this year’s proclamation from the White House, “Every day, millions of Americans provide essential care and medical assistance to their loved ones. These acts of love, commitment, and compassion enable their family members to receive the support they need to live a life with dignity. . . . During National Family Caregivers Month, we recognize the important role of our Nation’s family caregivers and thank them for the invaluable and instrumental care they provide.”
Providing care for an aging relative is one of the kindest things someone can do. It takes an incredible amount of love, work, and sacrifice. However, we’re all human, and there often comes a point where the caregiver needs a temporary or permanent reprieve from caregiving duties for the sake of their mental or physical health, other relationships, finances, or another reason. In these cases, professional caretaking services are a resource that can ease the caregiving burden while supplying high-quality care for seniors.
When to Make the Switch
You’re experiencing caregiver burnout.
Caregiving can be exhausting and overwhelming, especially for individuals who are trying to balance it with other familial, professional, or communal responsibilities. Even though the work is given out of great love, it sometimes results in feelings of depression, guilt, or anxiety. If you feel you’ve reached an emotional breaking point with regards to caring for an elderly relative, that does not mean that you’re selfish, uncaring, or incapable. It simply means you’re human and have been giving too much for too long. Permanently serving as a full-time care provider is often unrealistic, and professional caretaking services can ease your burden and allow you to breathe again while reallocating your time toward family, work, and/or self-care.
It’s not financially sustainable.
Serving as a full-time caregiver doesn’t leave much or any time for traditional employment. If your family needs you to earn an income for them to live comfortably and have all their necessities taken care of, securing professional caretaking services for your elderly relative can free up your time to pursue a career.
The situation has changed.
A change to professional caretaking services is often needed in cases where there has been a major change in circumstances. Perhaps you were caring for a relative, but they suffered a bad fall and now require a higher level of care. Or maybe your child or spouse now needs more of your time and attention, or your living situation is no longer conducive to in-home care. There are innumerous reasons why a switch to professional caretaking services might be beneficial for everyone involved. In these situations, remember that you can remain involved in your relative’s care, whether through part-time caretaking and assistance or regular visits and phone calls.
Southern Utah Senior Home Care Services
While deciding to switch to professional caregiving services can be difficult, it can be extremely beneficial for everyone involved. Remember, you deserve to be taken care of just as much as your elderly loved one. If you’re ready to make the change, turn to Visiting Angels, one of America’s leading home care companies.
Visiting Angels has provided kind and compassionate senior care services to residents of southern Utah since 1998. Our professional home care providers are friendly and compassionate, and we help make it possible for senior citizens to continue to live in their own homes safely. Contact us to learn more.