Caregiving can be very rewarding, but, as an Aging Life Care Professional® (certified Professional Care Manager member of The Aging Life Care Association® – ALCA), I know it often comes with a host of practical challenges and a heavy emotional toll. These challenges vary depending on the specific needs of the person being cared for, but there are some common themes.
This demanding role is incredibly time-consuming, often requiring the caregiver to juggle multiple tasks such as administering medication, assisting with daily activities, attending medical appointments, and managing household chores. The cost of caregiving is substantial too, including medical expenses, medications, specialized equipment, and potentially home modifications. This financial burden is often overwhelming for many families.
Caring for someone with physical limitations is also physically demanding. It involves lifting, transferring, and assisting with mobility. This leads to fatigue, injuries, and even chronic health problems for the caregiver. Thinking into the future, this also may hurry the caregivers need for physical interventions which leads to a cycle of decline.
The constant demands of caregiving also lead to chronic stress and burnout, characterized by emotional, physical, and mental exhaustion. Caregivers often experience a range of difficult emotions, including sadness, grief, anger, guilt, and resentment. They may also feel overwhelmed, anxious, and depressed.
If you’re struggling with the emotional toll of caregiving, don’t hesitate to reach out. As an Aging Life Care Professional®, I know some support services for you as well as your loved one.
You may also be interested in some reading that validates and examines the things you are going through. To Survive Caregiving: A Daughter’s Experience, A Doctor’s Advice on Finding Hope, Help and Health is a good book for caregivers.
To Survive Caregiving: A Daughter’s Experience, A Doctor’s Advice on Finding Hope, Help and Health
To Survive Caregiving: A Daughter’s Experience, A Doctor’s Advice on Finding Hope, Help and Health by Dr. Cheryl Woodson, explores the challenges and rewards of caregiving from both a personal and professional perspective. Dr. Woodson shares her own experience as a geriatrician caring for her aging mother with Alzheimer’s disease, while also offering medical advice and guidance to other caregivers.
The book explores the emotional, physical, and financial toll that caregiving can take, while also emphasizing the importance of self-care, seeking support, and maintaining hope. Dr. Woodson provides practical tips on managing medications, navigating the healthcare system, and dealing with difficult emotions like guilt and resentment.
Through her personal anecdotes and professional insights, Dr. Woodson offers a compassionate and informative guide for anyone navigating the complexities of caregiving. She emphasizes that caregivers are not alone in their struggles and that there are resources and support systems available to help them through this challenging journey. The book ultimately aims to empower caregivers to provide the best possible care for their loved ones while also taking care of themselves.
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If you are caring for an aging loved one and are feeling these effects, please reach out to us. We help families throughout the community, and we understand how to look at the whole picture and build a plan with you to help alleviate unnecessary stress and make things easier for you and your loved one.
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