Helpful Solutions to Common Issues Family Caregivers Face

Being a family caregiver takes careful planning and a willingness to be flexible. Even in the best of situations, you’re going to run into issues from time to time. Use these helpful solutions to get past these hurdles.

You Have to Take a Trip.

When your job requires you to travel, you don’t always have the ability to say no. If you’re the family caregiver to your mom on a part-time basis, and you suddenly have to take a week-long business trip, it can be a hassle.

Keep a list of back-up caregivers available. You may need your sister to fill in for you for the week. If she can’t cover every day, you might need to split days between a few family friends or relatives. If that fails, talk to a home care agency about added care services while you’re out of town.

Your Parent is Combative.

Some chronic conditions and illnesses can make a parent temperamental. Some seniors with dementia have been known to hit, slap, kick, bite, and shove their caregivers. This can be really hard to handle emotionally and physically.

If this happens, talk to a doctor first. Sometimes, pain can present itself as rage and violence. It could be as simple as a parent having a UTI. Try to find out what triggered the agitation. It might happen at certain times of day. If that’s the case, make that a good time for your parent to spend time alone watching a movie or taking a nap.

Your Parent Won’t Eat.

Your mom loves pan-fried cod. It was always her favorite meal, but you’ve made it and she says it’s disgusting and that the oil you used is rancid. She refuses to eat it. You’ve noticed the only foods she eats now are very sweet. She goes through a bunch of bananas every other day. She’s eating cases of yogurt. She won’t eat foods you cook, however.

As you age, your taste buds change. Cells doesn’t repair as quickly. This can make foods taste dull or unpleasant. Your parent may not be eating because the food doesn’t taste good. Try using fresh herbs and garlic to add flavor. You may also need to try new foods and see if any are appealing.

Don’t let family caregiving weigh too heavily. You don’t need to take on that additional stress. Work with a home care agency to make sure care is always available on the days you need it.

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