As our loved ones get older, determining the best direction for their care needs can be a source of stress for families. There are many resources to help with elderly care. Senior living communities can offer valuable solutions and support to alleviate some of these stressors.
Time demands
Providing help with elderly care for a loved one can be time-consuming, often requiring family members to juggles caregiving responsibilities with work, personal lives and other personal obligations.
Emotional and physical toll
Caring for a loved one can be exhausting, leading to burnout, stress and potential health problems. Family caregivers often find themselves balancing the roles of caregiver, advocate and family member, which can be emotionally challenging and mentally exhausting. It is important to remember to take care of yourself. Click here for some helpful suggestions for you to take care of yourself while caring for a loved one.
Financial strain
Family members may reduce their working hours to provide care for a loved one, or they may choose to hire in-home care services, which may cause financial concerns on how to best utilize the loved one’s finances. Many times choosing a retirement community to help with elderly care can be the most affordable option.
Lack of expertise
Providing care for elderly loved ones with cognitive issues or medication conditions may require specialized knowledge and skills that family members may not possess.
Family dynamics
Even if siblings enjoyed a close relationship throughout life, or only connected to care for a loved one, the relationship dynamic can suddenly change. One sibling may take on the primary caregiving role by choice or simply because they live closer. Meanwhile, another sibling may assume the role of organizing or decision making. Regardless, providing care for elderly loved ones can cause internal family disagreements, but there are proactive ways to address these challenges.
Retirement living can help with elderly care, reducing the burden on family members or friends providing private care.
Professional care
Senior living communities have professional caregivers specially trained to provide the specific care and support elderly residents need. These services include assistance with activities of daily living, medication management and healthcare monitoring.
Social engagement
Retirement communities provide many opportunities for residents to make new friends, try a new hobby, enjoy social gatherings and safely go on outings with professionally trained staff to monitor safety. This can help family caregivers experience less guilt knowing that rather than living alone at home, their loved one has opportunities to lead a fuller life.
Reduced caregiving responsibilities
Simply reaching out for help with elderly care can bring caregivers a tremendous sense of relief. By transitioning a loved one to a senior living community, caregivers are able to reduce caregiving responsibilities, allowing them to focus on their own well-being and maintain a healthier work-life balance.
Safety and security
Retirement living communities are designed with the safety and security of residents in mind. Most senior living providers have features such as emergency response systems and 24/7 staff availability to address any health or safety concerns. Technology is advancing fast and with these advancements, many retirement living providers are using technology to help protect the safety of residents by reducing fall risks and proactively identifying obstacles.
Cost predictability
While retirement living can be costly, the costs tend to be more predictable and manageable than expenses associated with in-home care. And in a retirement community, unexpected medical needs can be managed quickly and by professionals.
Peace of mind
Perhaps one of the biggest benefits for caregivers is knowing that their loved one is living in a supportive, caring environment. This reduces stress and worry associated with caregiving from a distance or those days and times when a caregiver has other responsibilities and cannot be present. However, caregivers, especially family members, can experience feelings of guilt over the decision to make the move to a retirement community. Rest assured that you did the right thing, keeping your loved one’s well-being in the forefront.
Country Meadows Retirement Communities offers a plethora of information for caregivers about a variety of senior topics in our online Resources Center. If you are considering senior care for your loved one, or just want to talk it through with a professional, please reach out to any of our locations. We’re here to help!
