Family caregivers often keep working through their daily schedules without taking the time to rest. Caring for a senior loved one comes with many responsibilities, and it’s easy to overlook just how much doing things such as laundry and housecleaning can add up. These five reasons for why caregivers need breaks highlights the importance of making sure you have plenty of support.
1. Medication Mishaps Happen when Caregivers Get Tired
One of the key roles many family caregivers serve is handling how their loved ones’ medication is dispensed. However, being overly stressed can cause a caregiver to make serious medication mistakes. Even one missed dose can cause seniors with certain health conditions to experience ill effects, and it may be even worse if they take too much medication at a time. Ask someone to help with this task if you feel exhausted.
An in-home caregiver can assist your loved one with medication reminders and other important daily tasks. Families looking for top-rated homecare providers can reach out to Assisting Hands Home Care. From respite care to specialized Alzheimer’s, dementia, stroke, and Parkinson’s care, there are many ways we can make life easier for seniors and their loved ones.
2. Exhausted Caregivers Are More Likely to Get Hurt
A caregiver who isn’t thinking clearly may also make misjudgments that lead to injury. For instance, you may forget to use safe lifting practices while transferring your loved one from one place to another. Regular breaks can keep the mind sharp, and you can even use your break times to research new best practices for senior care to add to your daily routine.
3. A Lack of Rest Can Lower Immunity
Anyone who is overworked can experience a decreased immune system because the body doesn’t have enough energy to fight off germs. Family caregivers are also exposed to more pathogens than the average person, since they often spend large amounts of time in hospitals or doctor’s office waiting rooms. Taking a break helps the body recover from the stress so it can ward off infections.
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 in-home care monmouth. Families who want to prevent burnout can turn to Assisting Hands Home Care. 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.
4. Family Caregivers Have High Rates of Depression
Family caregivers may always seem to be smiling, but that could just be a mask they put on to show the world. Caregivers often experience stressful events on a daily basis, and watching as their loved ones’ health worsens can take its toll. A break allows time to recover from the stress. You can also choose to go to counseling or join a support group to find new ways to manage the emotional strain of your role.
5. Seniors Benefit when Caregivers Take Breaks
Seniors need their caregivers to take breaks just as much as their caregivers need them. When family caregivers step away, seniors are treated to the opportunity to spend time with new people. Older adults also enjoy seeing their caregivers have time to do something that keeps them healthy and happy. When it’s all added up, taking a break before you burn out is beneficial for both you and your loved one.
Seniors can face a variety of age-related challenges. Though some families choose to take on the caregiving duties, there may come a time when they need a trusted senior home care provider. Families sometimes need respite from their duties so they can focus on their other responsibilities, and some seniors need around-the-clock assistance that their families are not able to provide. Assisting Hands Home Care is here to help. To learn about our high-quality in-home care options, give us a call today.
