Tips for caregivers

With life expectancy increasing more and more, professionals are faced with the decision of what they can do to help elderly relatives. Deciding whether they should go into residential care, receive care at home or even go to live with relatives is not an easy decision to make.

Lots of people choose to have their elderly relative move into their home, but providing care for a loved one can be emotional and is no easy task. As the care giver, you must be able to overcome any emotional hurdles, because your main duty would be to provide as high quality of care as possible.

There are a number of things involved if you are considering giving elderly support, but the role doesn't have to be a burden. Your relative’s presence should be a positive experience, not just for them, but for yourself and your family too.

If you decide to care for the elderly, there are lots of things you can do to make them experience a little easier for you. Even though you may be the person's primary care giver, it is important you take time for yourself. Where possible, get another relative to help out, they can either come to your house or take your relative out, but having a few hours to yourself will stop you becoming irritable and burned out.

Where possible, encourage social activity so your relative gets out of the family home. Churches, senior centres and even bingo are places your relative can continue to socialise and make friends. Adult day centres have many benefits not just for your relative, but also for you. They allow your relative some time away from you and at some centre the chance to receive medical checkups. Importantly, adult centres give you a break or allow you to continue to work either full time or part time.

There are lots of support agencies that can help if you do decide to provide someone with care, your local authority or medical professionals will be put you in touch with the necessary agency if things do become too much.