Home care services make a big difference to many people’s quality of life. Seniors and people with disabilities often rely on the help of caregivers so they can continue living in their own homes. But home caregiving isn’t just good for the clients; it is good for caregivers too As a caregiver, you may have to help a loved one through their activities of daily living (ADLs) like bathing, dressing, or getting in and out of bed. These caregiving activities can help you build up your strength and stamina, resulting in overall improvements in your physical health.
These benefits, often referred to as ‘caregiver gain’ are now supported with physical and mental benefits. Below are a few list of what you gain as a caregiver while rendering help to the patient
1. Caregiving tasks can be as varied as the clients themselves. Diversity of tasks keeps caregivers stimulated and can make the job more exciting. One moment a caregiver needs to run errands; another time someone needs help in the shower or with dressing. Some people don’t want to sit at a desk. Care giving is an active job, it also involves working with different clients and families at different times. Many caregivers enjoy making their own hours and designating a schedule that works best for them. Some home care workers prefer part-time, some full time. Others prefer mornings or nights and weekends. Most agencies will work with caregivers to accommodate their preferences while still meeting the needs of clients.
2. Caregivers relieve family stress. This allows family members to take a break from care giving duties. They also can allow a client to remain independent at home while improving the quality of their life.
3. Care giving improves quality of life for both the recipient and the caregiver, and makes you appreciate what you have. You can also appreciate the strength your loved one has to get through their own struggles. Caregiving is a helping profession. Providing care giving to a senior in their home brings enormous benefit to the caregiver and the family member. Events such as illness, accident or slow decline can cause the need for help in the home. To assist someone is to understand a person’s needs and meet or exceed those needs. The trust and appreciation that develops is rewarding and empowering for both caregiver and family member.
4. Home caregivers experience a wide variety of clients with complex needs. There is no “one size fits all” situation. Caregivers have the ability to adapt to different lifestyles, backgrounds, races, and disabilities. This requires putting personal preferences aside to connect and adapt to the person. A skill that more of us could use!
5. Depending on the tasks a caregiver is allowed to do, learning new skills is just part of the job. Caregivers do everything from running errands to checking blood pressure, to helping clients improve functioning.
6. Training opportunities allow caregivers to hone their skills. They learn how to deal with dementia, activities of daily living, transfers, and companionship. These are lifelong skills that transfer to all aspects of a caregiver’s life.
7. And there is more. Since the average caregiver is on his or her feet most of the day—bending, lifting, walking—there are physical benefits to care giving. The daily caregiving activities of bathing, dressing and moving a loved one and manipulating heavy or cumbersome medical equipment can build strength and stamina. Done consistently, these activities can improve the caregiver’s physical health.
8. Care giving inspires self-confidence. When you take care of someone who can’t care for themselves, you realize how much you can do. You learn new skills and might even have to test the limits of your capabilities. Caregiving can help you stay in better physical shape.
9. Juggling schedules, paying bills, keeping up with medication times and doses as well as talking to healthcare and insurance professionals are cognitive skills that can help sharpen the caregiver’s mind and improve memory.
Others benefits includes
• A new sense of purpose or meaning in life
• Fulfilment of a lifelong commitment to a spouse
• An opportunity to give back to a parent some of what the parent has given to them
• Renewal of religious faith
• Closer ties with people through new relationships or stronger existing relationships Caregiving is a tough job, but it’s nice to know that out of the struggle come so many positives.
However, it’s important to remember that the only way to reap these full benefits is to ensure you are also making time to take care of yourself as a caregiver. Whatever your reason is for hiring a caregiver, we know that in-home care is a great option for seniors looking to age in place.
At Angels Homecare Services, our team of experts is here to help you or a loved one with the difficulties that come with aging. Feel free to reach out to our team to get more answers about care giving.
Call now to book an appointment with us 081397779499
Resources
https://homecareassistance.com/blog/the-benefits-of-being-a-caregiver https://www.24hrcares.com/the-duties-and-responsibilities-of-a-caregiver/ https://homecareassistance.com/blog/the-benefits-of-being-a-caregiver https://www.vitas.com/family-and-caregiver-support/caregiving/caregiving-basics/the-benefits-of-caregiving/ https://aging.com/benefits-of-a-private-caregiver/ https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/about/community_health/johns-hopkins-bayview/services/called_to_care/what_is_a_caregiver.html https://aging.com/benefits-of-a-private-caregiver/
…Faith Francis Adokpa