Caring for Mom Can Be a Full-Time Job

You want to take care of your mother, but you’re not sure you can do it. She may live a town over from you and it seems like a reasonable solution. After all, she had been there for you while you were growing up and finding your way in life; wouldn’t it stand to reason you should return the favor?

We’ll get into that shortly.

In the meantime, it’s important to begin thinking about life as a family caregiver as a full-time job. It may not seem like a job but more an act of love. An act of love doesn’t negate the value of the work a person is required or asked to perform.

In other words, many family caregivers see the support they offer their aging parents, grandparents, or other elderly loved ones as an act of love. What happens in those situations, though, is that the family member begins stopping by on their schedule, at their convenience.

You see, while your mother may be having difficulty getting out of bed, taking a shower, or even doing the laundry, she could end up waiting too long for you to show up. If you have a meeting that is running late at work, once in a while that might not be a big concern, but if calling to tell your mother you’ll be late or you might not be able to stop by that day becomes a pattern, she could put herself in a potentially dangerous situation without even realizing it.

In many situations, when a person begins receiving support because they are limited in their mobility, either due to the process of aging, a health emergency, or injuries, they can become over-reliant on that support. What you had originally considered to be a part-time opportunity suddenly feels like a full-time obligation.

The stress and anxiety you may experience as a family caregiver is tremendous.

The stress can affect your job, causing you to lose your career, it can affect your relationships, and it can completely change your health. If you don’t have time to take care of yourself and eat healthy, just imagine the impact all of that can begin having on you and your life.

When you consider that even one or two hours a week could eventually become full-time care, you start to understand the value of home care support services. Hiring a home care aide is the best option, hands down. Never underestimate just how valuable.

If you or an aging loved one are considering caregiver services in Collegeville, PA, contact the caring professionals at Reliant At Home Care today (610) 674-6860.