supporting primary caregiversTaking care of another person’s needs can be challenging under any circumstances.  Often when an elderly loved one needs care due to changes in their mental or physical health and wishes to remain in the home, the caregiving role is taken on by their family.  Providing this kind of care on a full-time basis can be exhausting for caregivers even under the best of circumstances.  That is why it is important for those who serve in the primary caregiving role to have the support they need.

An excellent place to begin building a support system is through local resources.  This may include identifying area community resources for your loved one as well as those for people serving in a caregiving role.  There may be support groups where a caregiver can speak with others who are in similar circumstances or classes which they can take to help them better understand and provide care for their loved one’s condition.   Community resources may also be available to provide your loved one with social and recreational opportunities which can help them stay active.

Additionally, those providing full-time care should identify a group of secondary caregivers who can provide support and assistance.  Secondary caregivers are those who can also provide care for the person in order to give the primary caregiver a break.  These individuals usually consist of close friends and family members who are invested in providing relief and emotional support for the caregiver as well as care for the person in need.

Another important resource for caregivers to explore is respite care.  Respite care is a type of care which allows caregivers to take a break while someone else takes care of their loved one’s needs.  Respite care can be something formal such as an adult day program where a loved one would spend the day, or informal where another caregiver could come to the home for a few days and fill in for the primary caregiver.  Depending on the needs of your loved one, a few hours of substitute care may also be a good choice.  In other situations, a formal program which offers supervised care of their loved may be the most appropriate option.

Families who take on the caregiving role can provide a loving environment where their loved one can receive compassionate care.  However, those who fill the primary caregiver role will need support in order to take care of themselves and their loved one.  We understand the issues faced by today’s seniors and their families and can provide insight and advice to help in finding support for your family.  Please contact us online or by phone if we may be of assistance.

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