As a family caregiver, how many people do you care for? Compound caregiving is defined as a situation where you have multiple family members you’re caring for. For some, it could mean caring for a disabled adult child and two elderly parents at the same time. Others may be caring for grandparents, parents, and an ill spouse every day.
Studies find that compound caregivers often work at least 12 extra hours a week. If a family caregiver is already spending 50 hours a week helping a parent, adding in care for a spouse who is diagnosed with cancer can make it seem impossible to have time alone to decompress.
Problems With Compound Caregiving
When you’re caring for multiple people at once, the amount of time you have for yourself is minimal. If you’re also trying to earn a living, you also have your job to fit into your daily schedule. Eventually, you’ll start reducing the amount of time you sleep to get the extra hours you need.
Decreased sleep impacts your physical health. It also increases the likelihood that you’ll become overly stressed, which increases the risk of anxiety disorder and depression. It also makes you more likely to make mistakes when providing care. Driving when you’re sleepy is also dangerous and best avoided.
The Needs of a Compound Caregiver
If you think about caregiving, you have to think about how much you can take. Imagine you have a job you enjoy, but your boss suddenly asks you to work a double shift every day. It’s not going to take long before you’re burned out.
The same is true of caregiving. You may want to help and feel it’s important, but you cannot lose track of your own needs. You need to be able to go out and have dinner or drinks with your friends. You need to go out on date nights with your significant other. You need time to spend with your kids. You need time alone.
You may be able to get your siblings to help out with your parents, but what about with your spouse? You must build a strong support team. Support groups, whether they’re online or held in a local community center, church, etc., allow you to spend time with people who know what it’s like.
The other part of a support team is a senior care aide. Respite care services are important. Focus on your health while a senior care aide takes over caring for some of the people on your list. Call to learn more.
If you or an aging loved one is considering hiring senior care in Los Altos, CA, please contact the caring staff at Home Helpers today (408) 317-4969.
