Carers can come in different forms. They can be family members or close friends. The moment they start helping and act as a support for health reasons they become carers. However, the job is long and thankless. Deciding to be a carer is only the first step. The longer they stay as carers they slowly learn about things that should have been done at the very beginning.
When the carer is family, there is a change in the relationship. For example, when a mother or father moves in with their child, there will always be clashes about how the household is managed. There is a lack of personal space, along with the added conflicts with how to go about the medical treatment of their illnesses or disabilities. Who has the power in that relationship? It is often messy and can get in the way of other relationships the carer has outside of the home.
A care agency is a solution when things become unmanageable.
When you begin to feel the stress of caring
Things become unmanageable when you experience stress and fail to properly cope with it. Carer’s stress stems from continually caring for an ill patient with little to no break. Those who experience carer’s stress experience bouts of anger and irritation, anxiety, and depression.
There is also the issue of double-duty stress. This happens when you care for an ill individual, possibly from working in healthcare or being a carer for another person, and for your family as well. It becomes too overwhelming.
When this happens, it is best to start to look for additional support. If you are not inclined to have a live-in carer, there are visiting care services as well.
When you fail to properly ensure the activities of daily living (ADLs)
At the same time, just because you are feeling fine doesn’t necessarily mean you can continue to be a carer. When you fail to properly ensure the activities of daily living (ADLs) which include feeding, toileting, bathing, personal grooming, and properly managing the medications you are not properly caring for that individual.
It is best to read up online for the best way to ensure all the ADLs are achieved. It is understandable if you fail at first and there is a learning curve. However, if the situation does not become better then consider a care agency.
When it is no longer beneficial for both of you
It all boils down to whether the situation is beneficial or not. A carer may have motivations for wanting to take on the role mostly out of love and the assurance of the quality of care is the best. An ill individual or elderly person may find the set up beneficial as well to be among friends and family, a familiar environment is often best. However, when there are strains in the relationship and this mutual give and take becomes half-hearted, there is nothing wrong with looking into alternate sources of support.
When is it time to look? It’s time when the system does more harm than good.
