November 2nd is National Stress Awareness Day. It’s a time to look at the effects of stress on your life. Family caregivers often experience stress and don’t even realize the troubles it can cause. Here are facts to keep in mind on National Stress Awareness Day.
Almost One-Third of Family Caregivers Feel Alone
Surveys found that 28% of family caregivers, even those with help, feel alone. Isolation and loneliness are not good for your mental, emotional, or physical health. Studies have found that people who lack socialization have a higher risk of inflammatory conditions like diabetes.
One of Five Family Caregivers Believes Their Health Isn’t Great
When asked how they feel their health is, 20% of family caregivers rate their health as fair or poor. If you feel stressed and that stress is allowed to build, it can impact your mental health by leading to anxiety attacks or depression.
Half of Care Recipients Need Multiple Weekly Visits
Senior Home Care in Gulfport FL
If you’re expecting your dad to need you to stop in once a week, you may need to re-evaluate this. More than half of older adults require multiple weekly visits. You have to consider what he needs help doing.
Your dad can’t drive, so he needs rides to his appointments and on shopping days. That’s at least once a week and not just on weekends. He may need help with housework, which can be done weekly. Meals, however, are multiple times every day.
Just over a third of older adults in need of senior home care require up to eight hours of care a week. The average amount of care each week is just over 22 hours.
The Average Age of a Care Recipient Is 74
Per the AARP, the average age of a care recipient is 74. As a family caregiver, it’s very likely that you’re in your 40s or 50s when you provide your dad’s care. If he was older when you were born, you might still be in college or starting a family at this point in your life.
When you are juggling a career, children, and your dad’s care, it is easy to burn out. You’re part of what’s known as the Sandwich Generation, and the stress you feel can be tremendous. You have to take care of yourself, and this often means pairing the care you provide with the help of trained senior home care aides.
Family caregivers need to pay attention to the stress they experience. Think of it this way, if you’re driving a car and run out of gas, can you continue on your journey? Of course not. Caregiving is similar. If you’re burned out and have no more energy to give, how can you provide quality care?
Make sure you’re taking care of yourself. It’s the best way to ensure your dad has the care he needs each week. Call a senior home care specialist to get started.
Sources:
https://www.aarp.org/content/dam/aarp/ppi/2021/05/caregiving-in-the-united-states-50-plus.doi.10.26419-2Fppi.00103.022.pdf
If You Or An Aging Loved One Are Considering Hiring Senior Home Care in Gulfport, FL, Please Contact The Caring Staff At Assisting Hands Home Care Today! 727-748-4211.
Latest posts by Becky Moultrie (see all)
- Five Things You Should Know About In-Home Care - April 7, 2023
- Are There Healthy Alternatives to Caffeine for Seniors? - March 31, 2023
- Home Care Assistance Covers a Range of Services and Support - March 24, 2023
Becky Moultrie is Owner and Administrator of Assisting Hands Home Care Serving Pinellas. Guided by a motto to Do Good with Love, she’s well positioned to do just that at Assisting Hands. She has a passion for helping families keep seniors and those who are diabled happy and healthy at home. She serves on a number of boards in Pinellas County including the Pinellas Park Gateway Chamber and Better Living Seniors (BLS), leading the Membership Committee. Annually, she hosts a Silver Santa Party, collecting donations for nearly 100 low income seniors in the county. She attends Blessed Sacrament Church, Seminole where she is an Ascribed Member of the Rosminian Order. When not busy Doing Good in the community, Becky is at home with her husband David & their 4 children, tending to their beehives and digging in the garden.
