Acting as the primary caregiver for an elderly loved one is a challenging job. While you might be reluctant to reach out for assistance, joining a caregiving support group can actually increase the quality of care you provide. Making a concerted effort to connect with other like-minded individuals can increase quality of life for both you and your senior loved one. If you provide care for an aging parent but aren’t sure if joining a support group is right for you, here are five reasons to consider joining one.
1. Identify & Address Difficult Emotions
People who devote most of their time and attention to aging loved ones often experience a complex array of emotions. Fear, regret, resentment, and other feelings may not show themselves in your day-to-day life, but they’ll have a definite impact on it. Finding out you’re not alone can be refreshing. A support group gives you the opportunity to share these feelings and learn new stress-reduction techniques along with strategies for maintaining a positive outlook.
Family caregivers need to care for their own wellbeing. If you’re caring for an aging loved one and are feeling overwhelmed, consider hiring a professional caregiver to provide respite care. Tucson families who want to prevent burnout can turn to Home Care Assistance. One of our professional caregivers can assist your loved one at home while you take a nap, go to work, run errands, or go on vacation.
2. Learn How to Balance Your Responsibilities
Many of the caregivers who join these groups find they’re shouldering too much responsibility on their own. Support groups are great places for discovering new resources and alternative strategies for creating a comprehensive care plan for a loved one without feeling overburdened.
Other family caregivers can also offer advice about hiring a professional caregiver. When researching agencies that provide elder care, families are usually looking for flexible care plans, compassionate and highly trained caregivers, and 24/7 availability. Whether you need respite care to take a break from your caregiving duties or your senior loved one needs around-the-clock assistance at home, you can rely on Home Care Assistance.
3. Make New Friends
These are often communities of people who value family and familial responsibilities over all else. This makes these groups the ideal place for connecting with those who share the same ideals, challenges, and goals.
4. Enjoy Greater Accessibility
Caregiving support groups are far more accessible and convenient than they have ever been in the past. In addition to groups that meet at physical locations, there are also a number of virtual communities that offer the same sense of camaraderie and diverse array of benefits. Many online support groups are tailored to specific types of care, such as care for advanced conditions like dementia, Alzheimer’s, and Parkinson’s.
5. Share Information
The best caregiving support groups also serve as knowledge-sharing communities. All the tips and tricks you’ve learned while caring for your loved one can be shared with group members. You can learn about new research and medications, get recommendations for local doctors, and more.
If you’re feeling isolated and overwhelmed by your caregiving responsibilities, a support group can be a wonderful source of encouragement. Caring for a senior loved one can be challenging for families who don’t have expertise or professional training in home care, but this challenge doesn’t have to be faced alone. Family caregivers can turn to Tucson Home Care Assistance for the help they need. We provide high-quality live-in and respite care as well as comprehensive Alzheimer’s, dementia, stroke, and Parkinson’s care. Call (520) 276-6555 today to speak with a friendly and experienced Care Manager to formulate a home care plan for your loved one.