November is Family Caregivers Month. It’s a time to honor and celebrate family members who are doing all they can to make sure their loved ones have the support they need to live their best lives.

There’s nothing like family, and there’s really nothing like home. However, families can face challenges when helping relatives, and they may need more help than they can give.

Family members who take on roles as caregivers could already have many responsibilities. In addition to caring for their children, working, and managing their own homes, extending a hand for too long can be exhausting.

One of the best ways to celebrate this month is to show a family caregiver your appreciation by giving them a much-needed break. Another great idea is to help them devise a plan for additional support in the future. Self-care is NOT selfish. No one can be a caregiver long-term if they don’t get time to regroup and refresh.

Balance is Important

While we all want the best for those we love, we’re also responsible for our own well-being. Caregiver burnout is real, and without time for proper self-care, we could wind up sick—really sick.

Sometimes, we must take a break to recover from common illnesses caused by stress or lack of sleep. Who hasn’t felt exhausted, and then along comes a very inconveniently-timed cold?

It’s best to get help sooner than later, even if the help is just temporary. Self-care shouldn’t be considered indulgent; it should be a part of life. We all need time to recharge. Adding some paid caregivers for part of the time is a great way to split the responsibilities while still meeting the caregiving goals for your loved one.

The Benefits of Home Care

Home care can include light housekeeping, cooking, shopping, and personal care services. It can also include companion care, where someone visits just for social reasons instead of coming to do actual tasks.

Additional Benefits of Home Care Services:

• They help reduce the risks of injuries and illnesses.
• Home care can help clients maintain their abilities/independence.
• Health and safety can be maintained proactively.
• Cleaning services and errands can help clients stay on top of their responsibilities and keep tasks from piling up.
• So much peace of mind can be gained through having a little help.

One of the best parts about home care is that it’s safe, reliable, and helps to create balance in caregiving duties. With anything new, there are usually unknowns or assumptions.

Here are some things to keep in mind:

• Caregivers are background-checked to ensure they’re trustworthy.
• Home care agencies are flexible and don’t have to be full-time for clients to benefit.
• Staff who help are matched with clients to make sure they’re a good fit.
• Services are reasonably priced.
• Clients are at the heart of the team, meaning they have a voice in what services they need without having to pay for what they don’t.

If you’re a family caregiver running on empty, nothing is lost through an assessment from a home care agency to learn more. To all the family caregivers, hats off to you this month and ALWAYS!

If you or a loved one would like to learn more about exploring home care services in the greater Grand Forks or Minot areas, contact us at hccinfo@yourhomecarecompanions.com.