(ARA) - The catch phrase says it all. Adult children who are caring for their parents while also raising their own family are known as “the sandwich generation.” These caregivers find themselves pulled in many directions -- caring for a parent, raising their children, keeping their marriage healthy and often holding down a job as well. On top of all this, adult caregivers are thrust into the awkward and often unwanted position of feeling like they’re parenting their own parents. “It can be unsettling to find yourself in this role,” says Richard Bitner of Visiting Angels, a national network of franchised non-medical senior homecare agencies. He points out that this reversal in the parenting role can give rise to stress for both parents and caregivers. A recent survey by the National Alliance for Caregiving and the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) found that an estimated 22.4 million U.S. households -- nearly one in four -- are providing care to someone age 50 or older or have provided care during the previous 12 months. As these caregivers have discovered, it takes a lot of time, energy and patience to care for an aging loved one, and often it can seem like all of these attributes are in short supply. It’s not surprising, then, that guilt coupled with resentment are prevalent emotions among caregivers. “Caregivers’ lives have been turned upside down,” says Bitner. “Despite the fact that they love their parents, caring for a parent is a big responsibility that affects the whole family.” Plans for the immediate future go out the window. Schedules that were already jam-packed and complicated need to be reworked. Children may resent the new demands on their parents’ time and attention. With all these added stressors, experts emphasize the importance of caretakers looking after their own physical and emotional health. “You can’t take care of someone else without taking care of yourself first,” agrees Bitner. This involves getting help from others, whether it be from siblings, a support group or a health care service. Home Care Services for Natick/Wellesley MA and nearby areasThe staff at Visiting Angels understands this need. The company provides non-medical caregivers who go into clients’ homes to offer companionship or the elderly parent, do light housekeeping, run errands, prepare meals or do shopping -- all services that can provide a respite for families dealing with the care of a loved one.
“You can be confident that your caregiver is qualified and has excellent references,” says Bitner. The company hires only experienced caregivers who pass a rigorous screening process. They also look for intangible traits such as a caring personality. Many of the company’s caregivers are former hospital staffers looking for the opportunity to do one-on-one personal care for the elderly “We work with each family to develop an individualized program to manage the daily needs of the client and then match those needs to the best possible caregiver,” explains Bitner. Caregivers are then introduced to the family, who has the final say in the selection process. Once the caregiver has been placed in the home, Visiting Angels continues its personalized contact through telephone check-ins and home visits to make sure the match is a good one. About Visiting Angels Newton/Canton Visiting Angels Newton/Canton MA is an award winning local home care agency providing high caliber in-home care services to elderly and disabled adults. Countless families in Newton, Needham, Brookline, Canton, Westwood, Dedham, Watertown, Natick, Wellesley, Stoughton, Roslindale, Norwood and nearby towns have benefited from our dementia care, Alzheimer's care, companion care, elderly care, respite support, transitional aid, and senior home care services. While non-medical in nature, the care provided by Visiting Angels Newton/Canton can make a big impact on your loved one's happiness and quality of life. Call us at 617-795-2727 for information!
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It is stressful being a Caregiver for an elderly parent or loved one, no matter how much you may love them. There is a significant amount of disruption to your life and schedule, as well as the worry and sorrow of watching someone you love to become more helpless. There are also feelings involved with elderly care including frustration, guilt, resentment, and hopelessness. Feeling unappreciated for all the work you do also contributes to anxiety. There are some ways to combat the stress of elderly care including getting help and support, maintaining your health, and staying organized about your loved one's health and care. Allowing yourself assistance and support is critical to managing stress when caring for someone. Hold a family meeting and include your loved one to identify problems and solutions. Together you can work out a care plan and share responsibilities so that you do not try to do everything alone. Also seek additional help from professionals, community resources, or support groups for any specific medical conditions like Alzheimer’s or cancer. Maintaining your personal health is important in helping you deal with the stress of elderly care. Getting proper nutrition, rest, and exercise allows for your stable physical and mental health. Neglecting your health problems will allow stress to catch up with you easily. You will not continue to be a strong caretaker if you put your needs last. This can lead to emotional exhaustion, depression, and illness. Understanding and communicating your feelings is also part of maintaining your health. There are fewer negative effects of stress for people who admit their feelings and express them. It is important to stay organized and have awareness about the details of your loved one's care. You should be educated about legal matters, finances, and support services, and have knowledge about their medical condition. This helps the day to day process move along more smoothly, so that you do not become overwhelmed with logistics. In case of an emergency, a list of your loved one’s doctors, hospital, pharmacy, and medications should be on hand to make an urgent situation less stressful. Visiting Angels Newton/Canton is a home care agency offering compassionate and experienced Caregivers to help your loved one remain in their home. Visiting Angels Newton/Canton allows you to maintain your schedule and provides a respite for family members through services such as meal preparation, light housekeeping, personal hygiene assistance, and companionship. If your loved one needs home care services in Canton/Stoughton or other areas listed below, please contact us or call 617-795-2727. Visiting Angels Newton/Canton provides home care services for elderly and disabled clients in Brookline, Watertown, Dedham, Needham, Newton, Roslindale, Wellesley, Natick, Westwood, Norwood, Canton and surrounding areas. (ARA) – You’re rushing out of the office on a weeknight, hoping to get your daughter to soccer practice on time, cook dinner and help your other child with their homework. Just as you hit the road, your cell phone rings. It’s the pharmacy telling you that the two prescriptions your father needs immediately are ready for pick up. Or you’re off to your son’s school play just as your mom’s neighbor calls to inform you that she has fallen again and needs you right away. If these scenarios sound familiar, you’re stuck in the middle and have joined the “sandwich generation.” The term refers to adults with families of their own who find themselves caring for their parents as well. According to numbers from the National Family Caregiver Survey, 44 percent of Americans between the ages of 45 and 55 have aging parents or in-laws as well as children under 21. This means that lots of families are dealing as best they can with the stress of running two households. Whether your parent lives with you, lives nearby or lives in another state, trying to juggle all these responsibilities is stressful, no matter how much support you have from family and friends. And don’t forget the guilt. There’s plenty of that, too. Guilt over not spending enough time helping your kids with their homework because you’re cooking and freezing meals for your dad. Guilt over making your mom postpones her doctor appointment because your meeting at work ran overtime. Guilt at not having enough time to spend with your spouse. Guilt over asking your next-door neighbor to drive the kids to football practice – again – because you have to make long distance arrangements to attend to your loved one’s needs in another state. Homecare Agencies Provide Respite for Families With Elderly Loved-Ones“Caring for an aging or ill parent is a full-time job that can take a toll on the caregiver. Add to that the demands of your job, lost time at the job plus your immediate family’s needs chances are you’re going to need assistance along the way,” says Richard Bitner of Visiting Angels, a national network of franchised non-medical senior homecare agencies.
“Not everyone needs to be placed into an institutional facility and can remain in the comfort and familiarity of their own home,” says Bitner. “Visiting Angels provides something these families have been missing -- stability in everyone’s lives and peace of mind.” The company provides senior homecare to help elderly and older adults continue to live in their homes. These caring, experienced home caregivers provide up to 24-hour care in the comfort of the client’s own home. In addition to offering joyful companionship, Visiting Angels can provide a vital link in patient care. Although Visiting Angels are non-medical caregivers, they are an important link between the patient, their family and their doctor. Caregivers will also do light housekeeping, run errands, prepare meals or do shopping -- other ways they can provide a respite for families dealing with the care of a loved one. Please contact Visiting Angels Newton/Canton to speak with one of our knowledgeable Case Managers at 617-795-2727 to learn more about our programs. About Visiting Angels Newton/Canton MA Visiting Angels Newton/Canton MA is an award winning local home care agency providing high caliber in-home care services to elderly and disabled adults. Countless families in Newton, Needham, Brookline, Canton, Westwood, Dedham, Watertown, Natick, Wellesley, Stoughton, Roslindale, Norwood and nearby towns in Greater Boston have benefited from our dementia care, alzheimer's care, companion care, elderly care, respite support, transitional aid, and senior home care services. While non-medical in nature, the care provided by Visiting Angels Newton/Canton can make a big impact on your loved one's happiness and quality of life. Call us at 617-795-2727 for information! |
AuthorVisiting Angels Newton/Canton is an award-winning in-home care agency that provides high quality home care to seniors and disabled adults in Greater Boston, MA. Archives
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