Avoiding Caregiver Burnout—Where to Start When Considering In-Home Care

When loved ones start needing more help in their daily routines, their family members often take on the caregiver roles. While we all want to be able to step up and care for aging parents or disabled family members, the reality of full-time caregiving is often far more of a burden that we can ever imagine, leading to the need to find caregivers Orange County.

Even the most patient, caring, and devoted person can suffer from care-giver burnout. This dilemma is far more common than you think, and once you realize that this situation is a proverbial marathon and not a sprint, it’s time to reassess your family situation to make sure you create a plan that works for everyone. Here are some tips from BlueSea Care when considering hiring a caregiver for in-home help:

● Be honest with your loved one. Many aging parents do not want to face the feeling of lost independence. Likewise, many early dementia patients become more reclusive, and could resent a stranger intruding into their spaces. Reassure your family member that a professional caregiver is there to help them, and be clear about what the caregiver will do. Find caregivers Orange County to support this journey.

● Don’t take shortcuts. You will find plenty of advertisements on Craigslist or Facebook for “sitters.” These individuals often have no training or professional affiliation, so you will have no idea of the quality of their services or safety of your loved one. Go with a professional organization when you find caregivers Orange County that can document their training, experience, and safety procedures. Ask for references. For example, if you are looking for a part-time caregiver for a disabled loved one, check that the potential applicant has either training or experience with the special needs involved.

● Understand that in-home care is not an “all or nothing” experience. If you worry that your loved one just isn’t to the point for in-home care, you should know that care services can be as little or as much as you need. For example, morning home health caregiver responsibilities could simply include helping your loved one dress, clean up, ensure that your loved one adheres to the medication schedule, and assist with meal preparation. Likewise, evening home health caregiver responsibilities may include help settling in for the night, or providing extra support during the time of day that some Alzheimer’s struggle the most when you find caregiver Orange County.

The most important thing to remember is that you don’t have to handle this situation alone. Your loved one needs you to watch out for his or her best interests in the long run. If you get burned out, you can’t help maintain a good quality of life. Remember that Blue Sea Care is here for you, and we can help you get just the right amount of help you want from our trained, trusted, compassionate professional caregivers.