Family Caregivers: Their Roles & Respite Opportunities
Posted on 15. Nov, 2010 by Aaron Yeagle in In-Home Care
Below are a couple of excerpts from an article I found speaking to family caregivers:
When one member of the family becomes disabled, roles within the family often change. A person who took care of the family in the past or was the income provider may become dependent, while another person in the family takes on added, often unfamiliar responsibilities. For a single person, the changes may involve a new dependence on non-family members. Just the word “dependence” can cause unpleasant feelings. Being able to talk openly about fears, anxiety, frustration, and doubts can be very helpful in dealing well with these new facts of life.
In making the decision for home care, it is important to be realistic about what the person in your care needs, and what you, the caregiver, can provide in terms of time, kinds of care, and financial responsibility. For example, deciding to hire an in-home attendant may be necessary if the primary caregiver works full time. Before this happens, it’s important to look at the financial and emotional issues that go along with this decision.
I like how this article addresses how roles change within the family dynamic. Every situation is unique unto itself due to the variety of factors families face while caring for their elder loved one. A few of the factors that need to be immediately identified are:
- In what direction is the health of your elder loved one heading?
- How much time do I have to dedicate as a caregiver for my elder loved one?
- Am I healthy enough to provide and/or manage the necessary care?
- Is there other family members or close friends who are currently not involved but can and would provide respite care?
These questions and more should be reviewed prior to seeking outside help from a private caregiver, in home care agency, or other source for respite care.
It is important to remember that if you are the only one involved in the provision of care for your elder loved one, there are resources for you (especially if you have other family obligations!)
You can seek help through your local Area Agency on Aging, hiring a private caregiver (unless you know exactly what you’re doing, this can be a somewhat risky path), hiring an in home care agency, or seeking the advice of a social worker or elder care advisor.