As your loved ones age, they may need help doing the things that once came easily to them. Family members are often willing to take care of their elderly relatives in the initial stages of their disability. However, caregiver burnout is a real threat to adults with that added responsibility. Many older individuals refuse assistance from strangers but welcome it from their family members. With their persistent stubbornness, it may be difficult to introduce them to the idea of at-home care.

Ask for Help

The first thing that you can do as a caregiver is to ask your relative’s doctor to assist with finding professional help. Doctors can often connect you with a social worker or healthcare services Grosse Pointe MI.

Talk To Your Loved One

Your elderly relative may be resistant to allowing a stranger to assist them, especially in their own home. This could feel like an invasion of privacy and may be a difficult conversation for you to have. Remind them that this professional will make their life more comfortable and potentially improve their quality of life. An aide can cook, clean, grocery shop, and maintain their personal hygiene. This may even make the patient feel more independent than they do accepting assistance from a family member.

As a caregiver, it is common to feel overwhelmed by the added pressure of taking care of another adult. It is important to maintain your own health and well-being at all times. It is OK to accept that you need help in your role and to explore professional resources. Admitting that you need assistance as a caregiver does not negate the time that you spent in your role. It is important that you not only make sure that your loved one is happy and healthy but do the same for yourself as well.