Sometimes Family Caregivers Need Help Too!
November is National Family Caregivers Month – for those of you who take the time and make the sacrifice to care for a loved one, we salute you!!
Janet Kuebler, Certified Senior Advisor (CSA), Certified Dementia Practitioner (CDP)
“Family caregiving is a labor of love, and studies show it offers many emotional rewards,” said Janet Kuebler, Certified Senior Advisor and Owner of Right at Home homecare serving Somerset and Hunterdon Counties. “But caregiving is hard work. Caregivers can put their health in jeopardy. They often have little time to exercise, go to the doctor, or relax and unwind. They may be financially supporting their loved one while cutting back on their own work hours.” For family members, being a caregiver also makes it hard to maintain your relationship as a “spouse” or “son/daughter.”
And in 2020, as they help loved ones stay safe, they are under even more stress! The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently noted, “Unpaid caregivers for adults, many of whom are currently providing critical aid to persons at increased risk for severe illness from COVID-19, had a higher incidence of adverse mental and behavioral health conditions compared with others.”
How can caregivers get additional help?
“If you know a family caregiver (and no doubt you do), this is a great time to lend a hand,” said Janet. “If you’re a family member, organize a family meeting to talk about sharing caregiving tasks. Friends can join in, too.”
If you are a family caregiver, it is important to recognize when you may benefit from some assistance; caregivers often slowly give up their own lives and activities over time without even recognizing it. Don’t let a sense of obligation or guilt stop you from looking into help or accepting help from others. Some things to consider:
- Look into the services of aging life care professional (also known as a geriatric care manager or Certified Senior Advisor), who can help locate services. Also, support groups are a great setting in which to share emotions safely and find tips from people who have “been there.”
- Skilled nursing care can be provided at home and maybe covered by Medicare or private insurance. These services can include physical therapy (PT), occupational therapy (OT), or speech therapy.
- Homecare can provide great ‘nonmedical’ assistance, including services such as personal care (bathing, dressing, grooming, help going to the toilet), light housekeeping and laundry, meal preparation, health reminders, transportation, and companionship. Having some help only a few days a week can provide a much-needed break.
In choosing partners to assist your family, do your homework. Choose a reputable agency that screens, trains and supervises their caregivers, and handles liability insurance and workers’ compensation for their employees. And especially in 2020, it’s important to check out the agency’s infection control policies.
About Right at Home of Somerset and Hunterdon Counties
Right at Home is a locally owned and operated New Jersey licensed Health Care Service Firm, accredited by CHAP, serving Somerset and Hunterdon counties. Our mission is to provide our clients and their families with an improved quality of life. For more information, contact Janet Kuebler by phone at 908-281-7961 or by email at janetk@rah-wcnj.com.