An Extra Pair of Hands: 4 Signs that You Might Need Help With Caring for a Loved One

Men and women often don't understand the responsibilities of a caregiver until they are thrust into this role. Taking care of a loved one who is elderly or ill is a full-time position, and this can lead to the caregiver finding he or she can't do it all. Meal preparation, doctors' appointments, errands, and more increase, as the person tries to do it for themselves, their family, and the loved one. Additional help may be needed to complete everything. How can you know when this time has come? What are some signs that you can no longer do everything on your own?

Failing to Meet Obligations

Are you juggling home, work, and your caregiver responsibilities only to find you have dropped one or more balls? It's okay if your house isn't spotless or your laundry has piled up more than you would like. 

However, there may come a time when a doctor's appointment is missed, a prescription isn't picked up, or you are falling behind at work and the boss has noticed. If any of these things are happening more than once, it may be time to obtain extra help in caring for the loved one, and many turn to a professional organization for this type of assistance.

A home health care provider can be of help in this situation. This provider finds someone who can come to the loved one's home and take on some tasks so you can get your life back on track. 

This may be helping with meal prep, taking the loved one to doctor's appointments, or assisting with grooming. It's a matter of what the client and his or her loved ones feel is needed. You can find help at brandycare.com so visit the site today to learn more.

Becoming Overwhelmed

There are times when a caregiver becomes overwhelmed by the demands being placed on them. This can lead to burnout, and the caregiver can no longer meet his or her obligations. 

Now is the time for self-care and no person should feel guilty for taking time for themselves. A home health care provider will provide the caregiver with a much-needed break so they can rest, relax, and recharge before returning to care for the loved one.

This break may only be for a few hours, a weekend, or a longer period of time. The time can be spent on essential tasks the caregiver has been putting off, spending time with family and friends without worry about the loved one, or to speak with others who serve as caregivers to get advice and support. Whatever the caregiver needs in terms of a break, a professional home health aide can be of assistance.

Some caregivers have anger issues and don't know how to deal with a situation that is deteriorating. Anxiety on the part of the caregiver has been reported by some, and a family might be embarrassed by the loved one's behavior, even while knowing the individual can't control it. Exhaustion, frustration, depression, and more can all negatively impact the caregiver, and outside help may be of great help in dealing with these emotions.

More Care Is Needed

Although family members would love to be able to care for a loved one at all times, there may come a point where the care needed is beyond the skill of these individuals. This does not mean all care for the loved one must be turned over to others or that the loved one has to leave the home. 

Home health care aides are often trained to take on many tasks for the family. Be sure to ask each provider what level of care they provide. Some companies only provide help with companionship, basic household tasks, and transportation. Others offer medical services that may be of benefit to the client.

Be aware that insurance companies determine which type of care they cover. Read the loved one's policy to see what type of help is available. For instance, an insurer will likely pay for in-home care for a person who would otherwise need to be hospitalized. The client gets to stay in his or her home and the insurer has fewer monetary obligations to meet, as in-home care is less costly than inpatient care.

Additional Monitoring

When a person is seen every day, it's easy to overlook changes for a period of time. Parents can attest to this. Their child grows a little each day, but they don't see these minor alterations. Suddenly, they turn around one day and it appears their child has shot up two inches overnight. 

Constant exposure allows them to overlook small changes. The same is true when it comes to caring for a loved one who is elderly or otherwise ill. It's easy to miss things at the early stage when only one person is the main caregiver.

When there is an extra set of eyes in the home, it becomes easier to notice when things are different. For instance, a caregiver may only come three days a week. He or she might see something family members have missed because they aren't there every single day. 

In addition, a trained home health care aide could detect medical issues that the family doesn't, thanks to the extra training that has been received. This gives the family more peace of mind, knowing they have someone else monitoring their loved one's condition.

When choosing a caregiver for your loved one, don't rush the process. You want someone who will treat the loved one as if he or she is a member of their own family. This gives you peace of mind knowing they are in good hands. 

Talk with several companies and meet with multiple candidates to discover the right caregiver, someone who becomes a member of your family as well because the relationship that is established between the caregiver and client is so strong. When you find this person, you'll feel comfortable leaving your loved one in the hands of another, and everyone benefits when this is the case.