Sharing The Caring: When Senior Home Care Becomes Too Much

By Author: Robin Hewitt
Total Articles: 738
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When an elderly parent can no longer safely live alone it is typical for one adult child to take on the majority of the senior home care required. Often this is the perfect solution in the early stages of care, with the child living nearest to the parent or the one who has the least obligations gladly volunteering to help out. The problems arise as the parent’s health deteriorates and more senior care is required; according to the National Alliance for Caregiving six in 10 caregivers are also employed, and two thirds have had their caregiving duties affect their employment.


Employment isn’t the only area of a caregiver’s life that is influenced by their senior home care duties. Long term senior care puts the caregiver at risk for mental, emotional, and physical problems themselves as well as putting a financial strain on the caregiver’s household. In fact, one of the primary factors in placing an elderly parent in a long-term facility is the deterioration of the caregiver’s own health: they are no longer healthy enough themselves to continue providing senior home care.


While ...
... there is no cut and dried solution to ease the burden of senior care, there are viable options that should be taken in the best interests of both the aging parent and the primary caregiver. If there are siblings, a family meeting should be held to discuss how other brothers and sisters can best assist in the needed care, whether it is in terms of spending time with the parent to ease the burden or as a monetary commitment towards in-home companionship or health care providers. A support system for the caregiver needs to be organized, and resources should be contacted on local, state, and national levels. The following are excellent sources for information and assistance:

The Council on Aging, which is typically found on a county or regional level
Community senior centers, which often have meal and visiting services
The American Association of Retired Persons (Aarp.org) has a special section for senior care and caregivers
The National Family Caregiver's Association (Nfcacares.org ) is another excellent place to receive information on available help
Senior Resource (SeniorResource.com ) lists resources by state, and includes Canadian provinces
Family Caregiver Alliance (Caregiver.org) has extensive information and tips for senior home care providers

The key is to start building a support system for your senior care and those charged with senior home care, and to do it in a timely manner-that is, before the caregiver can no longer cope with the needs of the aging parent. This will ensure that your senior will be able to continue living independently, and that the primary caregiver will stay healthy in mind, body, and spirit while providing the best care possible in their parent’s golden years.

Robin Hewitt is a freelance writer working with Visiting Angels to help educate people about issues and problems concerning senior care. To learn more about senior home care, visit our website.