Time may be the most precious resource that we each have in today’s world. It can be overwhelming to try and find the time to care for an aging family member along with all of the other demands of everyday life. One resource that can assist with these care giving demands is Adult Day Services.
But, how do you know if it’s right for you? Here are some questions that may assist you in your decision:
- Do you need occasional assistance with taking care of your loved one?
- Are you worried about his/her safety when you cannot be around?
- Are you leaving your loved one alone too often in order to do errands or work?
- Do you find that you are taking off more time from work to care for your loved one?
- Would you feel better if he/she was able to enjoy a nutritious meal during the day, the opportunity to socialize more or to get more exercise?
- Has a good relationship with your loved one turned into a troubled one? Are arguments increasing?
If you answered “Yes” to any of the above questions, an Adult Day Care service may be right for you and your loved one. But this doesn’t mean it will be easy for either of you. For your loved one, feelings of anger, fear, denial, and resistance are common first time reactions, so it is important to understand that a period of adjustment may be necessary. Once your loved one has adjusted the benefits of will start to show.
Adult Day Care promotes the individual’s maximum level of independence and maintains the individual’s present level of functioning as long as possible, preventing or delaying further deterioration. Feelings of guilt may be an initial reaction for you, the caregiver, but remember that you need time to care for you, to be able to work without worrying about how your loved one is managing, and time to relax and regroup, so that when you are providing care you are at your best.
For assistance caring for you senior loved one, contact Bethesda. With 133 years of experience, Bethesda has become a leader in senior care, offering independent living, assisted living, memory care, and skilled nursing.
