Three Challenges Caregivers Face on a Routine Basis

Taking care of your aging parents is an incredibly rewarding act of love. As you reflect on the care they provided to you when you were growing up, you are now able to do the same. It allows you to take your relationship with your parents to a whole new level.

That being said, providing care for loved ones isn’t always a bed of roses. It is important to understand the hurdles you may experience and to understand how to manage them to safeguard your own overall health. The top three challenges caregivers face include:

Lack of Support

You might feel as though the bulk of caregiving falls on your shoulders. This can lead you to assume you are solely responsible for your parents’ care, which is not just overwhelming, but can cause hurt feelings and frustration in other relationships. No one person can effectively care for another on their own. Attempting to do so places you at risk for burnout and depression, along with other serious health issues, and also impacts the level of care your parents receive.

Lack of Sleep

Interrupted sleep can arise from an older adult whose circadian clock has shifted, causing them to waken more frequently throughout the night. It may be the consequence of worry and stress. If dementia is a factor, wandering and sundowning may cause you to stay on alert. Sufficient sleep is vital to your ability to offer the most effective care for your parents, as well as for your own physical and emotional wellness.

Lack of Privacy

Your physical and emotional privacy can both be compromised if you’re sharing living space with your parents. This is particularly true if one or both of your parents have dementia, which may cause them to feel fearful or lost when you step out of the room. Similarly, your parents may struggle to maintain privacy while in your care.

How Can You Tackle These Challenges in Caregiving?

Fortunately, there is one simple solution to all of these concerns. Compassionate Nursing Services’ in-home caregivers are available to partner with you to ensure the best care for your parents and a healthier life balance for you. Taking time away from caregiving is not only a good idea; it’s essential.

Our respite care services allow you to take necessary regular breaks from caregiving for your own self-care, while enriching the lives of your parents. We provide additional opportunities for socialization and engagement in interesting activities along with the necessary support to promote safety and comfort—so you can have peace of mind knowing your parents are in the best of hands while you are away.

Contact us online or at 314-432-4312 for more information on our customized in-home care solutions for older adults. Our services are available in Oakville, Des Peres, Creve Coeur, and the surrounding areas. Visit our Service Area page to see if we can help in your town.