Common Challenges Facing Family Caregivers in Jacksonville
While family caregiving can be a rewarding experience, it’s not uncommon for the caregiver to face challenges that leave them feeling overwhelmed, anxious and exhausted by their 24/7 duties.
Common Challenges Faced by Family Caregivers in Jacksonville, Orange Park, St. Augustine, Amelia Island and Fernandina
Managing Time
Caregivers typically have less time for themselves and other family members. They often need to sacrifice the things they enjoy, like family vacations, social activities and balancing their job schedule.
Emotional and Physical Health
Many caregivers find that their own health gets worse as a result of the demands and stress surrounding the care of a loved one. A family caregiver is often at high risk of feeling isolated and depression. Caregiving is an act of love, but can easily take a toll on the overall emotional and physical heath of the family care provider.
Lack of Personal Time and Privacy
Assuming caregiving duties will instantly affect your personal time, it will put you on the schedule of your loved one and makes it all but impossible to avoid constant 24/7 interruptions.
Lack of Sleep
Sleep deprivation can be a big issue for a family caregiver who is often required to burn the proverbial candle at both ends.
Financial Strain
Most family caregivers are unpaid. It is not uncommon that this will cause them to experience some degree of financial strain especially when caregiving takes them away from a paying job.
Being Afraid to Ask for Help:
It’s important to seek a balance between caregiving and your own life. Asking for help is not a weakness. Caregiving is a tiresome responsibility, so don’t be afraid to ask others for help or consider using one of the many Respite Care Facilities in greater Jacksonville.
Respite Care Allows Seniors to Test the Waters of Jacksonville Independent Living Facilities
If your attempts to discuss or even visit independent living communities have fallen on deaf ears, you may find that scheduling a short respite stay is just the answer. Once seeing an independent living care community and experiencing all it has to offer, many seniors will change their way thinking about the viability of assisted living or nursing home communities. These facilities are a terrific way to provide peer companionship; appropriate levels of care, senior activities, and the expertise of a professional skilled staff on hand 24 hours a day.