“Caring for our seniors is perhaps the greatest responsibility we have. Those who walked before us have given so much and made possible the life we all enjoy.” — Senator John Hoeven
Caregiving is Selflessness. It is sacrifice. It is maturity. It is understanding.
Caregiving is a responsibility that not many run towards. The demands can be extreme at times and will require great levels of patience and maturity.
As you can imagine, this activity is not easy. It can be mentally and emotionally draining for the caregiver and seeing that not a lot of people see the value behind caregiving, not many people will understand what the caregiver is going through.
Caregivers experience quite many things and sometimes may neglect the importance of personal care.
They may not have other options or not know that other options even exist. It could be where to get affordable external care or even Geriatric care(link) services to help reduce responsibilities.
One of the best ways to deal with the burden of caregiving is by having a devoted and reliable support network.
What is a Support Network?
It’s the caregiver’s outlet and safe haven. Support networks are individuals or groups that afford the caregiver an opportunity to share what they are experiencing as well as get expert advice on how to deal with mental and emotional challenges that they may be facing in the course of caregiving.
In this article, we will explore why building and maintaining a caregiver support network is so important and the steps to create one.
Why is a Support Network Important?
- Building a support network is essential during caregiving because it helps to prevent caregiver burnout(Link).
- It is therapeutic for the caregiver.
- It can offer financial support
- It provides an opportunity for professional advice and Counselling
Steps to building a support network during caregiving:
- What is the current situation?
- How far have you come and what areas need improvement?
- What are your current needs?
- What are the needs of the person you are caring for?
- Can Technology help?
Asking the right questions is vital to understanding who should be in that network and where to find them.
Reach out to family and friends:
Reach out to family and friends who can offer practical and emotional support. This can include help with household chores, running errands, and providing emotional support.
You can also ask for help from friends and family members who live far away by setting up regular phone or video calls. It is important that you identify who exactly to reach as not all friends and family members are a good option.
Consider joining a support group:
Support groups are a great way to connect with other caregivers who are going through similar experiences. They offer a safe space for caregivers to express themselves and release a lot of mental tension.
These groups can provide emotional support, practical advice, and financial assistance. You can look up local support groups from the following websites:
- https://srgtexas.com/find/supportgroups/caregiver-support-groups/
- https://www.ageofcentraltx.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Caregiver-Support-Groups-March18.pdf
- https://www.thecaregiverspace.org/caregiver-space-community-facebook/
- https://www.medicarefaq.com/
Talk to healthcare professionals:
One person you can and probably should talk to is your loved one’s personal doctor.
You can share your struggles with him/her and seek professional advice that’s peculiar to the patient in question. You can also talk to other healthcare professionals, who can offer practical advice and support.
They can also provide information about local resources, such as respite care and even support groups.
Consider hiring professional help:
At some point, the task of caregiving may get overwhelming. If you ever need additional help, please consider hiring professional help, such as a home health aide, Geriatric care, or a cleaning service.
These professionals can provide practical support in different areas that can help reduce your workload and stress levels. It’s not a crime to seek extra help if the load gets too heavy sometimes. Always seek help when you need to.
Every superhero needs their own hero sometimes. You don’t have to feel alone or misunderstood. There are many people out there who have similar experiences and would love to connect with you. You deserve peace of mind and you deserve some rest.
If you need to get some more professional advice on support options available to you, you can call us on (832) 282-7363. We would be happy to help!
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