Question: Is it Time to Hire a Caregiver?
I’m caring for my loved one and feeling a little overwhelmed. When do I know it’s time to hire help?
Answer: Caring for an ailing or disabled family member is hard work. It’s a job you want to do out of love but you may find yourself becoming increasingly overwhelmed. Then those feelings of love can begin to mesh with feelings of fatigue, frustration, and resentment.
Because you love them so much, you want to give them the best care possible. You want them to be safe, nurtured, and comfortable. When you find yourself overwhelmed, you may not be capable of providing the best care possible by yourself. Some signs that you may be ready to hire help include:
- Your loved one missed doses of medication.
- Your having difficulty getting your loved one out of bed or out of a chair.
- Your loved one is bed bound and you’re having difficulty turning and positioning him or her.
- Your loved one has fallen repeatedly or developed pressure sores.
- Your loved one has complex wounds that require frequent care.
- You’re feeling overly tired and not getting enough rest.
- You’re short tempered, angry, or depressed.
- You find that you don’t have time to complete your other daily tasks.
Hiring help isn’t an admission of failure. Knowing your limits and seeking help when you need it shows you’re capable of making good decisions, both for yourself and for your loved one.
If you know it’s time to hire help, here are some resources to help get you started:
