Opting Out of Family Caregiving Doesn't Mean You Don't Care
February 9, 2018
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You love your parents. You want the very best for them. You know yourself and your comfort levels. You know that caring for your aging parents isn't something you can handle emotionally or physically. Does that make you a bad person?
Many adult children feel that caring for a parent should be natural. Siblings who don't dive right in are often labeled uncaring or selfish. It can lead to family squabbles. Family members often feel that the adult children should jump right in. The family caregiver may work in shifts with others. Some find themselves reducing work hours or quitting a job to care for an aging parent. This impacts retirement goals and funds in the long run.
Opting out of being a family caregiver doesn't make you selfish. It doesn't mean you don't care. Actually, the opposite is true. You care enough to know you're not a good fit for what your parent needs. You realize you have to consider your future, too. Rather than risk their safety, you'd rather find the right person to care for them.
Challenges Family Caregivers Face
Family caregiving is hard. Sure, it's rewarding. It's also exhausting and stressful. Unless you move into your parents' house or they move into yours, you become responsible for maintenance, upkeep, and care of two homes.
You may have pets and children in your own home that need your attention, but you have to split those needs between two homes. You have a job to fit in. You may live miles from your mom and dads home and also have to add transportation times into the day.
Caregivers Are Often the Ideal Solution
The thought of balancing it all worries you. You can't face the thought of having to help your mom clean up after using the toilet or helping your dad wash all crevices in the shower. You're not alone. These are challenges adult children don't want to take on. Many parents don't want their children to see them at their weakest either. Outside caregivers become an ideal solution.
Caregivers come to your parents' home and offer whatever care is necessary on a daily or weekly basis. You can balance family caregiving with the services home care offers. When you are with your mom, you can focus on quality time together and not ignore socialization while you get chores completed.
Sit down with your mom and dad to discuss where they feel they need the most help. Once you have an idea of what they need, call a home care agency. They can walk you through caregiver schedules and prices. Call today.
If you or an aging loved one are considering caregivers in Sugarhouse, UT, contact the caring staff at Interim Healthcare. Call today 801-401-3515.
Author: Michael and Marlena Hawkins, Owners, Interim HealthCare, Salt Lake City, UT
Interim HealthCare of Salt Lake City has been in business since February 2014, providing in-home personal care and support services that help our elderly and/or disabled neighbors live enriched, safe and independent lives. Our goal is to provide customized care and support services that make it possible for our clients to remain in the comfort of their own homes rather than relocate to an assisted living facility. Interim HealthCare is family owned by Michael and Marlana Hawkins, and is a Veteran Owned Small Business.
