Caregiver support groups are a tremendous asset for anyone who provides care to an aging loved one. However, you may have a few natural reservations about joining a support group, especially if you’re short on time or feel nervous in a new social setting. If you’re unsure about whether a support group is right for you, consider these five benefits meeting with other caregivers regularly could have for you and your loved one’s health.
1. Discover New Care Techniques
Many family caregivers learn as they go. When you first started, you likely had little experience with caring for someone. While doing online research and talking to doctors can help, there’s something amazing about what caregivers can learn from each other. When you talk to someone who directly serves in the same position as you, you can bet you’ll hear new ideas for how to handle common challenges that make it easier to provide your loved one with high-quality care.
Other family caregivers can also offer sound advice about hiring a professional caregiver. When researching agencies that provide home care service, families are usually looking for flexible care plans, compassionate and highly trained caregivers, and 24/7 availability. Whether you need respite care to take a break from your caregiving duties or your senior loved one needs around-the-clock assistance at home, you can rely on Assisting Hands Home Care.
2. Meet People Who Understand
At some point, most caregivers experience some form of judgment from others. Whether your sister-in-law thinks you don’t do something right or your friends can’t understand why you don’t spend time with them anymore, those judgmental comments just hurt.
With other caregivers, you can let down your guard because everyone in the room understands. Being able to tell someone else you feel angry or resentful is freeing, and you can trust that only positive words of encouragement will be offered when you’re feeling down.
3. Get a Short Break from Your Duties
You might feel guilty about going to the spa, yet going to a support group somehow feels different. While both activities are perfectly fine when you need a break, new caregivers often feel better doing something they feel directly benefits their loved ones.
Since support groups typically meet for an hour or two each week, arranging for respite care is easy. Taking a break is also a great way to get used to being away from your loved one so you can eventually work your way up to scheduling a doctor’s appointment for yourself or going to the gym.
Family caregivers need to care for their own wellbeing. If you’re caring for an aging loved one and are feeling overwhelmed, consider hiring a professional caregiver to provide respite care. Danville families who want to prevent burnout can turn to Assisting Hands Home Care. One of our professional caregivers can assist your loved one at home while you take a nap, go to work, run errands, or go on vacation.
4. Learn How to Manage Your Emotions
In the course of a single day, you may go from experiencing gratitude to some of the deepest forms of grief. Being a caregiver is like riding a rollercoaster of emotions, and you need to be able to know what’s normal. Talking to other people in a support group can help you get a grip on your emotions, and you’ll have a network of support that helps you determine if you’re heading toward burnout or developing depression.
5. Cultivate a Brighter Outlook for the Future
The future may look scary when you have no idea what to expect with your loved one’s condition. However, caregiver support groups are filled with people who can share information about the latest treatments for your loved one’s condition. You can also meet people who have been doing this for a long time and can show you happiness is possible when you learn how to effectively manage your role.
If you’re feeling isolated and overwhelmed by your caregiving responsibilities, a support group can be a wonderful source of encouragement. The type of home care Danville seniors need can vary. Some need assistance a few hours a day, while others require more extensive around-the-clock assistance. At Assisting Hands Home Care, we tailor our care plans based on each senior’s individual care needs, and the plans can be adjusted at any time. We are a trusted provider of respite and 24-hour care, and we also offer specialized Alzheimer’s, dementia, Parkinson’s, and stroke care for seniors. Call us today to learn about our comprehensive in-home care plans.
