Three Reasons Family Caregivers Can’t Forget About Themselves


Home Care in Freehold Township NJ: Three Reasons Family Caregivers Can’t Forget About Themselves

Now that your family’s made the decision for mom to stay in her home, you’re focusing on providing her home care. You’re not alone. The AARP studied home care and found that more than 34 million adults in the U.S. had provided unpaid care to a senior family member or friend during a 12-month period in 2014 and 2015.

The CDC also studied home care and found that 37 percent of family caregivers quit their jobs to provide care to an aging family member. Of those providing home care to a family member, 35 percent of struggled to find time for personal activities or their own responsibilities at home. Another 29 percent said they struggled with job responsibilities and find time for their own spouse/significant other and children. In this study, it was also revealed that 59 percent of family caregivers feel their health is declining.

Does this sound like the situation you’re in? It’s important to set time aside to focus on yourself. You need to take time to relax and unwind. Learn why it’s so vital to take time for yourself.

Caregiving Costs Money

According to the CDC care for an aging adult cost approximately $5,500 in 2007. With many caregivers quitting their jobs to take care of an aging parent, the added expensive of caregiving is difficult to manage when you give up your income. Unless your aging parent has healthy bank accounts, you may find your credit score taking a hit if you try to manage the additional expense of family caregiving when you give up your job.

Your Health Matters

The CDC’s study also found that 67 percent of family caregivers cannot find time to go to their doctor for medical care. This comes from the fact that caregivers put their aging parent’s needs before their own. If you’re heath declines, who’s left to care for your mom or dad?

Stress Affects the Care You Provide

If you have an aging parent who is already feeling bad that they must depend on you, your anger and frustration will only worsen an already difficult situation. You need to de-stress in order to provide the best care possible.

Consider home care services as a suitable way to get the breaks you need. You don’t have to commit to a full schedule of care. Home care providers can come once a week while you go out and do something fun or stop by each day to help with cleaning and meal preparation. Talk to a home care service today to learn more about how they can help you find time for yourself.

 

If you or an aging loved one are considering home care in Freehold Township, NJ, please contact the caring staff at Lares Home Care 888-492-3538 or 732-566-1112.

Sources:

http://www.aarp.org/content/dam/aarp/ppi/2015/caregiving-in-the-united-states-2015-report-revised.pdf

https://www.cdc.gov/aging/caregiving/facts.htm