In-Home Caregivers’ Mental Health

Mental health and Caregivers: Taking care of a senior living at home, whether you’re a professional caregiver, the spouse of a senior, or caring for a loved one, can be hard on your mental health. Sometimes it’s an adult child who has to become a caregiver and provide caregiver services for someone who always took care of them; or a spouse who is accustomed to being equals having to take on the responsibilities of care.

Certainly, this is especially true in elderly people with dementia or other cognitive impairment. Watching older adults fade from their previous personality, forgetting the names of their friends and family, and retreating into themselves takes a toll on the person caring for them. May is National Mental Health Awareness Month, and while caregivers focus on the seniors they care for, it’s also important for caregivers to take care of themselves.

Caregiver Stress

While the mental health condition of the elderly person receiving care at home is always forefront in the minds of others, it is perhaps equally important to maintain the mental health of caregivers as well.

Ensuring that caregivers, pay attention to their own mental health care and quality of life should be a priority. For starters, it’s important for caregivers to recognize the signs and symptoms that their mental health is at risk. That starts with the signs of caregiver stress, including:

• Feeling overwhelmed or worried all the time
• Fatigue, headaches, body pain or other unexplained physical problems
• Sleep problems – either too much or too little
• Losing interest in activities
• Sadness

In other words, stress can affect caregivers both physically and mentally, and the care they provide can suffer as a result.

Taking Care of Caregivers

Perhaps the most important job that people who provide care for seniors have is to take care of their own health, especially their mental health. But many are reluctant to do so because they don’t want to appear selfish. Here are some things caregivers can do to protect their own mental health.

• The best way to reduce stress is to share the burden, even if only a little bit. Asking family members or friends to help out on occasion can not only help you, but can help the person who needs care as well. Even if it’s just asking a neighbor to visit for a few hours while the caregiver has lunch with a friend, the benefits go beyond just the time spent.
• Having a professional in-home caregiver lighten the caregiving burden is one of the best ways you can practice self-care.
• Exercise is a great way to improve mood and reduce stress. Even a walk around the block can improve a caregiver’s outlook.
• Professional caregivers are not immune to caregiver stress. A caregiver agency should be able to provide respite care for the people you provide care for.
• If you’re the adult child of someone who needs at-home care, consider becoming a professional caregiver. It can relieve the financial burden caused by providing care to an elderly relative.
• Caregiver support groups can be enormously valuable, if only to connect with others who are going through the same things you are.

If you are having difficulty with caregiver stress and feel it is interfering with your daily life; talk to your medical or mental health professional.

Taking Care of the Mental Health of Others, and Your Own

in short, mental health issues are still stigmatized. That’s why it’s important to talk openly about them, including caregivers for those with mental health issues. A goal of Mental Health Awareness Month is; to help bring out dialog about how we treat the mental health of others…and ourselves. Not only can caregivers get the help they need by discussing their mental health challenges, they can also provide help to those who struggle with talking about their own issues.

Home Care Powered by AUAF Caregivers Can Help

Whether you’re caring for an elderly relative and need some help, or you’re looking to become a paid caregiver yourself, Home Care Powered by AUAF has the experience to help you provide the best possible care for your elderly loved ones. Our dedicated professional caregivers and staff will help you navigate the process of getting the care that’s needed quickly and effectively.

The Premier Home Care Services Provider in Chicago

Home Care Powered by AUAF has served as a Chicagoland elderly in-home care agency for over 25 years. We are structured to provide specific levels of senior home care services for your loved one. Our elderly in-home care assistance is an alternative to an assisted living facility or nursing home. This allows your loved one to enjoy independence and the comfort of home.

Depending on your specific needs; a personal plan of at-home care is created so you or your loved one can receive help a few hours a day. Our in-home caregivers are trained to provide customized, one-on-one elderly care. Because we want our clients to continue to do the things they enjoy; while maintaining peace of mind, our home care aides hours are flexible and varied. Home care providers are available for elderly in-home care services seven days a week, between 6am-10pm.

In-Home Caregiver Agency in Chicagoland

Our elderly care services come at no cost to you. Learn more about how we are funded. Our mission is to serve our Illinois community and meet each of your senior home care needs.

We have a dedication to the diverse communities that we serve. Our roots of service are based in the Coalition of the Limited English Speaking Elderly (CLESE). From our beginnings; Home Care Powered by AUAF and our senior care services sought to serve the diversity among our communities.

Becoming a Caregiver for your Parent

Meanwhile, if you find that you want to be the in-home caregiver for your elderly parent or loved one, you can opt to do so. Above all, should your loved one meet the criteria for home care services, and you meet the requirements and training by Home Care Powered by AUAF, you can provide the senior home care services for your loved one. To learn more about how you can become a paid caregiver for your family member, neighbor, friend or loved one, be sure to look at our FAQ page.

Our home care services for seniors have no long-term contract. You are free to use them for as long or as little as you need.

Home Care Powered by AUAF is here to help you. Fill out a form or give us a call at 773-274-9262