Dealing with Caregiver Stress
A New Respite Solution with Short-Term Stays in Assisted Living Communities in San Francisco
Family caregivers are the strongest and most selfless people I know. They give up free time and put aside personal interests in order to care for aging loved ones. They are brave and strong, often doing most of the work alone with little support from other relatives. But with no respite in such a difficult role, caregivers can quickly become rundown and experience a decline in health.
I watched this firsthand as my mother cared for my aging grandparents. After my grandmother was diagnosed with colon cancer and my grandfather gradually became unable to walk on his own, my mother gave up everything to care for their needs. She would do their grocery shopping, cook, clean, and transport them to and from important medical appointments. Before long, I could see the affect this almost constant care was having on her, both physically and emotionally.
If you know someone working as the primary caregiver for aging relatives, they may also experience some of symptoms of caregiver burnout: fatigue, sadness, insomnia, withdrawal, and a weakened immune system. Fortunately, there are supportive services that can help. Here are a few options I found that really make a difference in the lives of stressed-out caregivers:
Respite care services offer a short-term stay in a senior care community, where aging loved ones can stay while the primary caregiver takes some well-deserved time off. This is great option for families because it gives aging loved ones the chance to meet new people and get involved in activities, which can lead to an overall better quality of life. It also allows the caregiver peace of mind, knowing that their loved ones are taken care of while they take some time to relax and rejuvenate.
Transitional care is another great option for families in need of assistance caring for an aging loved one. Especially if your elder has had a traumatic experience such as a heart attack or fall, you may not be as confident about how to care for them when they are eventually discharged from the hospital and sent home.
To ensure that your loved one gets the best possible care after discharge from the hospital, it may be wise to accept the help of a trained professional. Fortunately, you can make arrangement for the patient to go directly from the hospital into a short-term stay in senior housing. Community staff have plenty of experience caring for elderly residents after hospital stays, and some communities even feature special physical therapy rooms for light exercise to help them regain their strength. And when it comes time to bring them back home, the transition will be much easier for you both.
Caregiving is tough, but you don’t have to do it alone. There are many nurturing senior communities that can offer respite for family caregivers when they need a little extra help in their role. Seniorly works with hundreds of assisted living communities in San Francisco, CA and can provide assistance.
If you or someone you know is working as the primary caregiver for aging relatives, know that it’s okay to ask for help. Everyone needs a break from time to time, and self-care is essential to remaining effective in your role. You may even notice that when you feel healthy, so do your loved ones. What could be better than that?
