Taking on the role of caregiver for an aging loved one can be an extremely rewarding experience. However, there are many times when an aging loved one’s complex care needs make caregiving a stressful and emotional job that can impact your health as a caregiver. Fortunately, there is help available in the form of both physical and emotional support. Here’s a brief overview of some of the available resources for family caregivers.
Local Support
Sometimes allowing someone to take a bit of the burden from you can be just what you need to ensure high-quality care for your loved one. One of the best resources is your local Area Agency on Aging, whose primary mission is to help older adults and those with disabilities. They have a wealth of support services and can refer you to great local resources, such as home care agencies.
Caring for senior loved ones can be challenging for families who don’t have expertise or professional training in home care, but this challenge doesn’t have to be faced alone. Family caregivers can turn to Assisting Hands Home Care for the help they need. We provide high-quality in-home care as well as comprehensive Alzheimer’s, dementia, stroke, and Parkinson’s care.
In-Home Support
If you provide care for an aging loved one and feel as if your responsibilities are becoming too much to handle alone, look into home care. Reputable home care agencies have teams of highly qualified and trained caregivers who can offer assistance on an hourly or live-in basis. Along with providing high-quality care for your loved one, they can help out with other tasks, such as housework, grocery shopping, and transportation.
If you have a senior loved one who needs help maintaining a high quality of life while aging in place, reach out to Assisting Hands Home Care, a leading provider of home care Reston families can trust. Our caregivers help seniors focus on healthy lifestyle habits such as eating nutritious foods, exercising regularly, and maintaining strong social ties, and we offer mentally stimulating activities that can boost cognitive health and delay the onset of dementia.
Emotional Support
There are also options out there if you need emotional support while caring for a loved one. Joining a support group is a great way to meet other caregivers and learn new things that can make caregiving a more manageable task.
For those who are hesitant about attending caregiver support groups in person, there are also plenty of online forums, which can be great for learning new caregiving tips and connecting with others who are in similar situations. Being able to relate to others and knowing you’re not alone can help tremendously. Also, you might also consider speaking to a counselor or therapist who specializes in illnesses and being a caregiver.
Families who find it difficult to care for their aging loved ones without assistance can benefit greatly from professional respite care. Reston, VA, family caregivers who need a break from their caregiving duties can turn to Assisting Hands Home Care. Our caregivers can encourage your loved one to eat well, exercise regularly, get plenty of mental and social stimulation, and focus on other lifestyle factors that promote longevity. If you need professional care for your loved one, reach out to one of our Care Specialists today.
