Taking Care Of An Ill Loved One Can Be Daunting; Don't Beafraid To Admit You Need Help
If you have a loved one who is in constant need of help, medically and physically, it can be a lot of work. It can also play on your emotions. You will have to give up a lot of your time, energy, and self. You may get tired, frustrated, and even angry. If you are starting to feel this way, it is time to get help. There is no shame in finding someone to help you. One way to get some time back for yourself is to hire in-home health care aid so you can get help with the following.
Medications and Medical Procedures
Getting your loved one to take a pill or drink some medicine might be easy, but it may also be a trial each day. If the medication is given as an injection or in an IV, getting it right can be more difficult. You may also have trouble doing specific medical procedures such as cleaning and dressing a wound, performing range-of-motion exercises, or replacing a catheter. There is no need to struggle with anything you need to do for your loved one. Contact a home health agency and have a trained, licensed professional come to your house for any type of help you need.
General Care
Sometimes you just need a break from having to be there for your loved one. It is good for you to be able to spend time on your own. This will allow you to stay calm and patient and help relieve some of the stress you are under. Home health agencies can provide you with someone trained and with experience to care for a patient and give you time for yourself. You can leave the house, or even just stay in a different room, knowing your loved one is safe and being cared for. You may even request an occupational or recreational therapist who can work with both your loved one and yourself to show you different activities that can entertain and teach the patient while providing help with things like memory, movement, and fine motor skills.
Do not feel you have to be the sole caregiver for your loved one. You can have the help a few times a week, daily, or even around the clock. When you have help, you are more able to provide the care your family member needs without becoming too tired, frustrated, or angry.
