The reality is unavoidable—your loved one will grow too old to live unassisted at home, and a difficult decision must be made by those left to care for them. Many families cannot afford nursing homes, or are opposed to leaving their parent or elder in the care of someone they don’t know, but the alternative– caring for an elderly person in your own home– poses a unique set of challenges. The following examines the most difficult aspects of taking on the role of a home caregiver.
Personal Conflicts
Depending on the state of the individual’s health, caring for an elderly person can be nearly a full time job. If you have taken a loved one into your home, chances are that you still have to keep up with all your existing responsibilities. Many home caregivers report that they have to make special arrangements with work to go in late or leave early, or enlist the help of others to pick up where they left off when compromising time at work is not an option.
Over-exertion
Mental and physical stress associated with providing intensive care for another person is common among those who serve in the medical community. For home caregivers, it is impossible to clock out from this stress—though of course, many consider it a small sacrifice for keeping their parent or relative safe and well cared for. It is important to take time for yourself while caring for someone else—to over-exert yourself to the point of exhaustion only does the person you are caring for a disservice, as you must be ready to provide them with whatever it is that they may need.
Financial Issues
Taking an extra person into your home will always mean added household expenses, but caring for someone with complicated or expensive medical needs can rack up more bills than many people are able to manage. Finding family members who are willing and able to contribute to the cost of home care is often difficult, and puts added strain on wallets as well as relationships.
Limited Medical Knowledge
If you are caring for an elderly person for the first time, you may not be equipped with all of the skills and knowledge to meet all of their needs without a little training or experience. For example, a basic knowledge of cathing is required by home caregivers, as many elderly people need the added assistance to perform bodily functions comfortably.
Family Conflict
The deterioration of a loved one’s health puts stress on an entire family, not just the person who is caring for them. Sadly, the fear of losing someone coupled with the confusion about putting various end-of-life affairs in order has the potential to pit family members against one another. Legal counseling should be sought early on to avoid unnecessary debates or conflicts about property or finances.
With the right amount of resources, planning, and determination, these challenges can be overcome by those willing to sacrifice their time and energy to a person in need.
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Hailey Andersen is an avid blogger who enjoys sharing her insights on health and homecare.
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