Caring for an aging loved one can be a difficult task in both physical and emotional terms. The former is true because of the simple fact that you cannot put your life on hold in order to provide care. The latter is true because of how hard it can be to see a loved one struggle.
Another problem that many grapple with is the wave of negative thoughts that can arise from spending hours of free time at what is essentially another job, especially when it is a job that helps a loved one.
At Assisting Hands Home Care, we provide respite care services to those in Park Ridge, Niles, Norridge, IL and the surrounding areas, to give informal caregivers a much-needed reprieve.
Informal Caregiving
Providing caregiving services for a loved one is as noble as it is difficult. Those who provide this care must often do so before or after work, and at times that are typically used for relaxation and leisure.
This is in addition to the emotional hardships associated with seeing a loved one struggle with everyday tasks, and the guilt that can come from wanting to avoid helping. All of this and more can add a tremendous amount of stress to your life in a hurry.
Tens of millions of individuals provide informal care to a loved one in the United States alone. Roughly 2/3 of these individuals are women, and about 25% of caregivers report poor or fair health conditions. This is directly attributed to several key factors:
- Stress: Working essentially another job is difficult enough but being attached on a deeper level makes providing care more stressful overall.
- Lack of Sleep and Restlessness: Stress is notorious for leading to a lack of sleep and restless mind. This can quickly cause you to burn out if you are not careful.
