 | Robert Miller is Director of Community Outreach for Faith Home Health and Hospice LLC. Faith provides care for patients throughout all stages of life, wherever they consider their home. Robert graduated from Wichita State University with a Masters in Social Worker. He has worked in a variety of settings including home health and hospice, as well as, various levels of hospital care. You can contact our office at 316-618-6800. |
Senior Living
2006-11-01 08:42:00
Caregiving for your loved ones
What should I consider when deciding to care for someone in the home?
ANSWER: Caregiving is no longer an isolated role for a small few in the family. As the Baby-boomers age, we will need everyone’s time and talents to care for our growing senior population. The question of what to consider when deciding to care for someone in the home has many variables. For some, the answer is they would care for a loved one in the home at any cost; personally, financially, physically, and emotionally. However, caregivers must consider their commitment to care. Understanding one’s commitment is important in order to create balance between the needs of the loved one and the caregiver’s abilities now and in the future. A commitment to care requires honesty, nurturance, and review to ensure it is healthy for everyone.
Even in familial relationships, we must create balance that affords time for the caregiver to re-energize. Those who are already caregivers understand the need for rejuvenation. New caregivers must know that open conversations about your willingness and abilities in regards to care are critical. Some of us can help manage incontinence or bathe our loved one. Others of us may not be able or so willing. That’s OK. Identifying one’s strengths in care includes discovering what you are comfortable with and physically able to do. Honesty is part of making a balanced commitment to care.
Things to consider: What is your relationship with the person in need? What was your history with this person and has it always been reciprocal? What is his or her health condition and does it involve medical care? Is the individual going to live with you or in his or her home? Is he or she safe alone? Are there others who can help in the care or do they complicate the caring relationship? What financial resources does the individual have and are you managing them? By answering questions like these, you will be able to begin assessing the physical and emotional requirements of caring for your loved one.
Once you have assessed the needs of the individual and yourself, you can look at which resources you need to utilize. Today, there are more community resources than ever before to help caregivers, including; home health services, hospice services, private duty services, Department on Aging services, and many more. It is important to remember to ask for help so that you don’t overload yourself. Remember, if you get sick or injured, your loved one looses their most valuable resource.
A commitment to care is not just a promise of “in sickness and health” but a relationship that requires honesty between you and the one for which you are caring. If he or she is experiencing mental challenges or no longer has the ability to make decisions, this conversation will be much different. However, most of us have the opportunity to begin a conversation about care before a crisis occurs. Don’t allow a crisis to decide when to get involved. Start talking and planning now.
