Senior Home Care – Joys and Challenges You Face When Caring for Your Dad

Your dad has heart disease, and he needs more support than he has ever required before. You’re going to be helping him out. Have you considered the pros and cons you’ll experience as a family caregiver? Prepare yourself for the joys and challenges that caregivers often encounter.

You Form an Even Closer Bond

When you’re with your dad every day, you’ll learn things about him you never knew. He’s sharing stories about his childhood and teen years. You’re fascinated and want to know more. That’s one of the joys of caring for an aging parent.

You Learn What He Does and Doesn’t Like

When you’re the family caregiver, you are with your dad and know exactly what he needs and how he prefers to be assisted. This insight becomes valuable when it’s time to arrange senior home care services for your days off.

You May Experience Financial Struggles

Are you quitting a job to become your dad’s full-time caregiver? It can be an expensive endeavor if you are not at retirement age. You face the loss of critical benefits like health and dental insurance. You also may lose matched 401k contributions.

If you get into the habit of covering your dad’s expenses like medications, it can quickly drag you deeper into debt. Make sure you are using your money on your expenses and not his.

He Might Not Always Be Cooperative

It’s hard to admit that you can’t do everything, and that may make your dad irritable and uncooperative. If he is having a moody moment, he may very likely take out his frustration on you. The things he’ll say can really hurt.

You have to have a thick skin when it comes to being a family caregiver. Keep remembering that it’s not you. It’s his changing health and abilities that frustrate him.

It Can Be Hard to Watch Your Dad Struggle

As your dad’s health changes, it can be hard to watch his health, mobility, or strength decline. He used to be active, but now he gets winded just walking up and down the stairs. That’s hard to take.

If you find it hard to handle, join a support group for family caregivers. You are not the only one struggling. A lot of family caregivers are going through or have gone through what you’re feeling.
Support your dad’s desire to remain in his current home by making sure he has help staying independent. You are not the only person who needs to help him out. You should take breaks and support your well-being.

Take breaks by having caregivers take over. Senior home care aides work with your dad to provide just enough assistance without taking over. Call a senior home care specialist to learn more about prices and schedules.

If you or an aging loved one are considering senior home care in Montauk, NY, call the caring staff at Artful Home Care today at 631-685-5001.