You can become a caregiver by becoming a family member for a loved one who is elderly. However, it is also extremely draining and demanding.
Approximately 44 million adults were family caregivers as of 2015, according to AARP and the National Alliance for Caregiving. Most families provide care to save money. It’s no wonder more families choose to bring their aging loved ones into their homes because elder care facilities cost anywhere from $150 to $300 per day.
Although becoming a caregiver might be a better alternative to a nursing home, you should still ask yourself a lot of questions before stepping into this significant role.
Is my financial situation stable?
Caring for a loved one yourself requires fewer resources and fewer resources are required to pay for respite care. However, this does not mean it is free! Family members should consider all possible costs involved, and how much the care recipient can contribute.
The following expenses should be considered when caring for a loved one:
It is standard to charge from $18 to $19 per hour for additional in-home nursing care or a home aide. Make your home more accessible by doing renovations or adding an addition. Shower seats, toilet bars, hospital beds, and wheelchair ramps are examples of specialized equipment needed. Having to call out of work might be necessary, even with hourly nurses, because sometimes life gets in the way.
If the individual on Medicaid asks you to care for them, some states permit them to hire a relative and receive payment through Medicaid.
Is my bandwidth sufficient?
When caring for an aging parent, you may not be able to include them in your daily errands or on your family vacation. Even simple things like taking the kids to school or running to the grocery store may be complicated if the person you are caring for cannot be left alone. Especially if your loved one has frequent medical appointments in which they require transportation, consider how much time you really have to be a caregiver.
In addition to the time commitment of caregiving, ponder how exhausting and emotionally taxing the experience can be. Is your season of life stable enough that you have the time and patience to provide care?
Is it going to have an effect on my family?
Family members who care for loved ones with Alzheimer’s or chronic pain may have difficulty filtering their words and actions; however, spending quality time together can be a special time for the whole family.
You and your family may be stressing out and feeling hurt in this situation. Are you going to be prepared for that?
Considering the needs of your spouse if you have one and your children if you have any will also require the consideration of your time and energy. If your children are young, will you have the time and energy to take care of them as well? If you are divided over whether or not to bring a family member home, look for alternatives instead of jeopardizing or even ending your marriage.
Will I have help?
The support of your family is crucial to caregivers caring for a loved one. If your siblings or family members are willing to step up, both financially and physically, can they provide you with a strong emotional support system? Children as young as teens or young adults can watch a loved one for a few hours a week to give you some time to run some errands or take a break from caring for the elderly.
If you cannot find anyone who can assist you in caregiving, perhaps friends, family, or neighbors are willing to pick up kids from school and bring them home from the dining room? Avoid burnout as much as possible – your loved one depends on you, so don’t overextend yourself.
In the end, choosing to provide care to a loved one is an extremely personal choice. Caregiving is often undertaken out of love and respect for an aging parent or family member, but it is important to consider how it can negatively impact your finances, your family, and both your physical and mental health.
You might neglect your own physical well-being in order to care for your spouse.
Do not prioritize your own health over your spouse’s, and that includes diet, exercise, and sleep, too. If you’re being disrespectful towards your own doctor’s appointments (whether it’s for a specific problem or for preventative care), this is a big red flag. Researchers from the Journal of the American Medical Association report that spouses caring for their ill spouses can reduce their lifespan by one-third. They suggest that spouses caring for their ill spouse are twice as likely to die within four years as those who didn’t care for their ill spouse.
When you’re experiencing health issues of your own, it is imperative that you put yourself first. You cannot support your spouse or your children if you are not in good health. And you deserve care too.
Are you active in hobbies and maintain relationships outside of the marriage?
Caregiving for your spouse is challenging due to the catch-22. Many spouses used to be your primary emotional support, but now they are the source of your stress. In addition, living with the person you care for means that you have barely any time for breaks. If you lack close relationships or supportive family members, your mental health can be severely affected by feelings of isolation, loneliness, and worry. Depression and anxiety are extremely common, but they can be avoided.
In order to meet your emotional needs, it’s crucial that you maintain other supportive relationships outside of the home, and have creative or leisure activities outside of the home. Adult day care programs and respite care are places where you can devote some time to yourself. Hope you enjoy this article Moreover if you have any question Please Contact us. Thank you!
