Four Situations Where Family Caregivers Need to Arrange Home Care Assistance
As the primary family caregiver, you can't imagine ever needing to arrange home care assistance for your parents. After all, you're there for them. Have you considered every possibility?
Many family caregivers overlook some of the situations that arise when they can't help their parents. Here are four situations where you should rely on professional caregivers to take over for a day or two.
You Don't Feel Well
If you have a cold, flu, or another virus, it's easily spread to your parents. They may not fight it as effectively as you can. Do you want to spread it and potentially make them sick enough to require hospitalization?
When you don't feel well, stay home. Let home care assistance providers help your parents until you're well. They're in excellent hands, and you can focus on feeling better.
You're Having an Outpatient Surgery
When you're scheduled for outpatient surgery, you'll need to take it easy for several days or weeks. The recovery time depends on the type of surgery. Generally, you cannot lift more than a certain weight. You have to limit activities and the amount of time you're stood up.
You won't be able to help your parents with laundry and housekeeping. You may not be allowed to drive. You need to make sure they have home care assistance services to help them. You can tear your stitches or lengthen your recovery time if you overexert.
You Need a Vacation
You have the chance to take a vacation. Your parents don't want to go with you. Hire respite care and enjoy taking a break. Caregivers can help your parents with their necessary care.
You Have an Upcoming Colonoscopy
Medical professionals recommend everyone get their first colonoscopy at the age of 45. If you're at that age, it's time to schedule this screening for colorectal cancer.
Preparing for a colonoscopy takes about a week. Two of those days will require you to step back and stop helping your parents. The day before your appointment, you cannot eat any solid foods. If you have to cook for your parents, it isn't easy.
The evening and hours before your scan, you start drinking the solution that helps flush out the gastrointestinal tract. You have to drink a glass every 15 minutes. It can make you feel nauseous. You won't have time or energy to help your parents. Someone else needs to help out.
Book caregiver visits as soon as you know you need respite care services. A home care assistance specialist is happy to answer questions and make the arrangements.