How Elder Support Services Can Help Family Caregivers in Bangor, ME and the Surrounding Area
If you are a caregiver for an elderly loved one in your family, you understand that the task can be challenging and demanding. Approximately 44 million Americans are providing care to a family member, according to the National Alliance for Caregiving and AARP. Many family caregivers lack the support to maintain their own health and social lives. Because of this, it is important that family caregivers have access to professional elder support services.
Visiting Angels Mid Maine Provides the Elder Support Services You Need to Avoid Caregiver Burnout in Bangor and Nearby Towns
With elder support services from Visiting Angels Mid Maine, your loved one will receive quality home care. However, our services are also beneficial to family caregivers, as it allows them to take a break to recharge.
The Demands of Caregiving
Family caregivers face many challenges and are often stressed, as caregiving is physically, mentally, and emotionally exhausting. If your loved one suffers from a physical disability, you may spend a lot of your time providing physical assistance such as helping them dress, bathe, cook, and move safely around the house. This often leaves little time for you to engage in activities you enjoy.
If you are caring for a loved one who suffers from dementia, you may have to keep a watchful eye on your loved one at all times. It is your duty to keep track of their medications, to make sure they are eating, to take them to doctor’s appointments, and to prevent them from wandering. You also must keep them engaged in conversation to keep them mentally stimulated. This constant care can increase your risk of caregiver burnout.
How We Help
At Visiting Angels Mid Maine, our elder support services are built around your loved one’s needs. Our professional and compassionate caregivers can assist with many different activities; however, it is up to you and your loved one on which tasks you want us to help with.
Our elder support services are meant to be adjustable and work with your schedule. Whether you simply need a day to recharge or need a break for the foreseeable future, we are here to provide quality assistance. From transportation to helping your loved one cook meals to helping your loved one move safely around the house to helping your loved one bathe, we are up to the challenge.
How to Know When to Reach Out
So how do you know when it is time to reach out for help? The truth is it is never too early. Even if you are currently able to manage all of your loved one’s needs, you never know when those needs will change, or when you will need a break. If you feel that you may need a break sometime soon, you may want to slowly introduce our caregivers to your loved one so that your they can have a peaceful transition from family caregiving to professional caregiving. If you are unsure whether it is time to ask for help, use the following as a guide.
Consider reaching out for help if you are:
- Overwhelmed
- Not enjoying activities that used to bring you joy
- Always anxious
- Always exhausted
- Experiencing frequent body aches or headaches
- Unable to develop a healthy sleep schedule
- Experiencing significant weight changes
If you want to learn more about our professional caregiving services, call our home care agency today at 207-605-8288 and ask how our elder support services can help you.