The level of care each older adult requires varies. Caregivers perform tasks daily that rely on their emotional, mental, and physical abilities. However, to provide the highest level of quality care possible, there are some things family caregivers must avoid doing.
1. Neglect Education & Training Needs
While providing basic care doesn’t require an inordinate amount of knowledge or experience, caring for seniors living with multiple health issues or cognitive impairment is another matter. Caregivers need to know what their roles entail. As conditions progress, the level of care increases. Family caregivers must be able to meet the growing demands of the job. Getting ongoing education and training enhances the level of care provided.
Caring for a senior loved one 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 Align Home Care for the help they need. We provide high-quality live-in and respite care as well as comprehensive Alzheimer’s, dementia, stroke, and Parkinson’s care.
2. Let Negative Thoughts Take Over
There are days when some family caregivers rethink their decisions to assume their roles. They may experience moments of regret. Negative thoughts and feelings are bound to occur. Depression and guilt develop when caregivers feel less than perfect. All caregivers have a combination of good and bad days. Unpleasant events and situations occur regardless of the efforts made by family caregivers.
3. Refuse Assistance
Many older adults require extensive care and supervision secondary to physical or cognitive impairments. One person alone cannot meet all of his or her loved one’s demands without one or both being negatively impacted in the long run. Family members need to formulate a plan for support. The wide range of assistance needed may include running errands, helping with household chores, managing finances, and providing the family caregiver with time off.
In Portland, in-home care agencies can be a great boon to seniors. With the help of the caregivers at Align Home Care, your aging loved one can lead a happier and healthier life. We offer a revolutionary program called the Balanced Care Method, which encourages seniors to eat nutritious foods, exercise and socialize regularly, and focus on other lifestyle factors that increase life expectancy.
4. Stop Communication
Caregivers are often reluctant to share their concerns and challenges with the loved ones they’re providing care for. They may fear being viewed as incompetent or weak. However, communicating challenges honestly serves to strengthen relationship bonds.
5. Become Isolated
A caregiver may go weeks or months without having the chance for social engagement. The isolation increases the risk the caregiver will become lonely, depressed, and overwhelmed. Isolation increases the likelihood of negative interactions occurring between the caregiver and his or her loved one. Family members providing care must make time away from their duties to connect with other loved ones and friends. They may stay connected on social websites or through phone calls or gatherings.
6. Neglect Self-Care
If caregivers sacrifice their emotional, mental, and physical needs, the quality of care they provide eventually diminishes. Family caregivers must consume healthy diets to provide their bodies with sufficient fuel. They must get adequate sleep to enable their minds and bodies to relax and rejuvenate. Physical exercise is also necessary to have the physical strength to perform duties without fatigue or injury.
Whether you need respite from your caregiving duties or your aging loved one needs live-in care, Portland, ME, Align Home Care can meet your family’s care needs. Our dedicated caregivers are available around the clock to provide transportation to doctor’s appointments, ensure seniors take their prescribed medications, and help with a variety of tasks in and outside the home. To schedule a free in-home consultation, give us a call at (207) 835-3490 today.