The older you get, the more health challenges you will face. That is simply the natural process of aging, like it or not. Most of us don’t like it at all, especially when we have a million things going on at once. You might be helping an aging parent as their caregiver, raising children, being so focused on a career, struggling to spend time with friends, or doing hobbies you used to enjoy, but it’s not going to get any easier.
When you are a family caregiver supporting an elderly parent, for example, you need to understand that your body simply doesn’t recover like it used to. Maybe it only took you a few hours to overcome a simple jog in your 20s or 30s, but now whenever you do a physical, strenuous activity, it might take you days to get that refreshed feeling once more.
Supporting an aging person is going to tax your body.
You may not think you’re doing a lot of physical work, but you are. You are probably walking a lot more, getting one thing from the kitchen, then another, running errands for your elderly mother, taking her to a doctor’s appointment, and so much more.
Plus, you have all of your normal daily routines to take care of. Even if you are living alone, you still have to go grocery shopping for yourself, perhaps work, take care of the house, clean, and so much more.
Over time, the pressure and physical stress, and strain of being a family caregiver is going to catch up with you. The older you are, the more quickly that is going to happen. You may not have considered assisted living in the past, but it is certainly something to think about now.
Some assisted living facilities offer respite care options.
Unfortunately, most people think of a long-term or permanent solution when they hear the term ‘assisted living.’ They assume that their elderly mother or father, grandparent, or even their spouse is going to have to live there for the rest of their life if they choose that option now.
Not true.
At least it’s not true for most assisted living communities these days. Some will provide respite care, which means a short-term or temporary option. That means your aging parent could stay at assisted living for a brief time, perhaps for a few days a week, a week or two at a time, or some other duration, depending on their availability.
That could give you and your body the time it needs to rest, relax, and recuperate.
How do you bring up the topic of respite care at assisted living?
Be forthright and honest. First, though, learn as much as you can about assisted living. Take a tour. Ask questions. Then, when you are satisfied, talk about how this is wearing you down, how you need some time for yourself, to recuperate, and your mother will likely agree. That’s because parents, no matter their age, want what’s best for their children.
Also, if it’s not your mother or father, or even a grandparent, but somebody else in the family you’re taking care of, most people want those who are supporting them to continue being there in the months or years ahead.
If you or an aging loved one is considering a move to an Assisted Living Facility for Caregiver Services in Buckhead GA, please contact the caring staff at Woodland Ridge today. 770-431-7055
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