Moving to a senior living community is a huge, difficult, and often heart-wrenching decision for caregivers. Guilt, promises, and feelings of obligation can make this decision even more difficult. Because emotions can be hard to put aside, understanding when the right time for your loved one to be placed into a community more fit to care for their needs can put stress, strain, and tribulations on a family.
Thankfully, Senior Care Consulting is here to guide you through this process. We’ve helped countless families find comfort in discovering a senior living community. But first, we need to make sure you understand how to identify when this conversation is worth having.
Indicators Your Loved One is Ready to Move
Caring for a loved one can be one of the most rewarding tasks you’re faced with but also one of the most difficult. From expenses piling up to declining health requiring round-the-clock care, understanding when it’s time to discuss alternative options is crucial for your loved one's health and safety—as well as your own. It’s difficult to accept, but knowing when to contact the experts to help you find a proper placement will provide you with peace of mind.
Safety Concerns
Falls are the leading cause of injury among adults 65 and older, and many accidents occur within a person’s home. According to the National Safety Council, more than one in four older adults falls every year; fewer than half of them tell their doctors. Additionally, most of these falls result in a head injury or hip fracture. When caring for a loved one who has started to lose their balance or ability to walk on their own, you’ll need to take extra safety precautions.
While remaining aware of safety concerns for mobility, you should also be on the lookout for signs of forgetfulness. This could be as simple as forgetting to turn the water off after washing their hands or as complex as not remembering where they live. When all safety measures have been taken, and you’re still struggling to care for your loved one in a manner that’s best suited to their condition, you should consider discussing your options with Senior Care Consulting.
Caregiver Burnout
Caregiver burnout is all too real and should be something to look out for when it comes to caring for your loved one. This form of burnout is a state of physical, emotional, and mental exhaustion all wrapped up into one. Caregivers who have attended to their loved ones for long periods of time can experience fatigue, anxiety, depression, and even a decline in their own health.
We know you love your significant other, family member, or friend, but it’s important to remember that while you’re caring for them, you must also care for yourself. What may have started as a positive and compassionate position could quickly spiral into a negative mindset. If you’ve recently experienced overwhelming dread and a lack of motivation to care for your loved one, you may be suffering from caregiver burnout.
Though there are support groups you can join to help alleviate these feelings, the heavy question may often need to be asked—should we seek outside help? At Senior Care Consulting, we’re the helping hand you’ve been searching for. We’ll discuss your situation and determine a proper course of action to benefit all parties involved.
Expenses
Caring for a loved one can quickly strain a family financially. Nearly 8 in 10 caregivers have out-of-pocket expenses, AARP reports, and the average costs are $7,242 per year. While this may not be a large concern for families who have planned for this circumstance, others end up caring for their elderly loved one unexpectedly and without a financial fallback.
If the cost of taking care of your elderly loved one has put you in debt and is financially more than you can handle, it may be time to consider alternatives, such as assisted living, long-term care, memory care, or a continuing care retirement community. The professionals at Senior Care Consulting can work with you to make this decision as quickly as possible, considering your feelings and needs.
Requirements are Increasing
As mentioned previously, caregiver burnout can strain your responsibilities to take care of your loved one, but one of the main causes of this burnout is increased requirements. As our loved ones age, their needs become greater, especially if they suffer from a progressive disease like Parkinson’s or Alzheimer’s. Many caregivers place unreasonable burdens on themselves to continue care without realizing the amount of stress and strain it’s placing on the entire family.
While you may have been willing and able to help your loved one before, their expanding needs may place you at a growing disadvantage. There’s no shame in admitting that your loved one needs greater care than you can provide. In these situations, it’s time to talk to a professional and find your loved one the kind of help that benefits them most.
Senior Care Consulting is Here to Help
Senior Care Consulting is a placement service with integrity. We’re dedicated to assisting you in finding the proper care and treatment in a community that suits your loved one's needs. We understand the difficult conversations that need to be had and will handle each step of the process with compassion. Regardless of caregiver burnout, financial strain, or various safety concerns, we know how to find a community that will take the stress off your shoulders—and allow you to simply be a spouse, child, or friend to your elderly loved one.
Know Your Options and Choose with Care
At Senior Care Consulting, we treat your family as our own. We work diligently to ensure you’re comfortable with all decisions and discussions being made and won’t settle for anything but the best for your loved one. If your elderly family member or friend is at the stage of finding a senior living community, we’re here to help. Contact us today at (913) 945-2800 to get started.