4 Reasons People Hire Eldercare Caregivers for Loved Ones
Many people never imagine that one day they may be caring for their parents or grandparents. According to a recent government study, there are more than two million Canadians currently in this situation. While some people can quit their job and give full attention to their loved one, not everyone is that lucky. Being a caregiver is a hard job. It is okay to reach out for help, and is a smart decision if the situation is putting a strain on your life. Here are common reasons why people make the decision to hire live-in or live-out help.
Even though you love the person dearly, it can be an emotional rollercoaster.
Caring for a loved one can be emotionally fulfilling and fatiguing at the same time. It’s hard on the caregiver to see their mom, dad, or grandparent not able to do the things they once did. The caregiver may be juggling a full time job, a busy home life or children, and now find themselves struggling to care for an aging parent. It’s hard on the person receiving the care, as they no longer have the independence they once had. Both people can become impatient and snappy because of the new situation, and either party can slide into a depression.
Many people find the stress and emotional aspect too much to handle on their own. Having another person there to jump in and help can turn the situation around completely. When hiring a professional, keep in mind that they will be your loved ones new companion. Look for someone who is patient, kind, and who will mesh well with your loved one’s personality. If your senior is a handful, ask in the interview how the applicant would handle an adult sized melt down or how they have handled them in the past.
Caring for a loved one can be physically exhausting.
Taking care of another person can be physically exhausting, especially when the other person is an adult. Many people who care for their loved ones wear themselves out both emotionally and physically. They suffer from aches and pains related to lifting up another person who weighs the same (or more) than they do. This is a big reason that people reach out to professional caregivers for help.
When seeking out a caregiver, make sure the applicant is physically able to handle the job. Will they be required to lift your loved one from the bed into a wheelchair? What about in and out of the bathtub? Make a list of the physically strenuous activities that will be required on a daily basis, and specifically ask in the interview if the potential caregiver can do each task. Don’t be shy about asking about the physical aspect of their previous clients and jobs. Hiring a caregiver that can’t get your loved one up, down, and around when needed defeats the purpose of hiring help.
Caregiving is a full time job.
Many people don’t have time to get everything done in a day that they need to. Add in an aging parent who needs a lot of attention, and an entire day can fly by. Caregiving involves bathing another person, driving them to their appointments, cooking for them, cleaning their room or areas of the home, making sure they take their medications, and more. Keep in mind that on top of that, you will still need time to do everything you normally do in a day. Many people say that in order to care for their loved ones on their own they had to give up their careers and their social life.
Hiring live-in or live-out care allows a person to keep their day job, care for their kids, do what they need to do for their family, and know that their loved one still has all of their needs met. It gives a person their day back, and for many their sanity.
There are some jobs best suited for a medical professional.
Some seniors need specialized care that is better suited for those with medical training. This can be a nurse or certified medical professional. There may be at home medical procedures or therapies, or perhaps the senior needs to have their stats monitored 24/7. Thankfully, there are nurses and medical professionals available for those needing this type of care.
Remember that to be your best for others, you need to first take care of yourself. If you are physically or emotionally exhausted, there is no way you can adequately care for those around you. Reach out for help before you burnout. Hire a professional caregiver, join a support group, and do what you need to do to keep your life balanced. Making the decision to hire a live-in or live-out caregiver can be hard, but it guarantees that your loved ones needs are met. And remember, you are likely going to be responsible to act as the caregiver’s employer. This will include taking source deductions (tax, CPP and EI premiums) and remitting them to the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) on time, every time. Visit the NannyTax website to see what caregiver tax payroll solutions we can offer.
Photo Credit: Melodi2
