Respite Care: Common Challenges Primary Caregivers Face

According to the AARP, around 19% of the 48 million caregivers in the US today provide care for an adult with functional or medical needs without compensation. That means 1 in 5 Americans are acting as primary caregivers to their loved ones. As much as we appreciate their contribution to ensuring long term care, we must also acknowledge how much caregiving can take its toll on them. As a home health agency in Los Angeles, California, we at Sunshine Palliative + Home Health Services, Inc. know well that, without eventual support, primary caregivers experience worsening problems that put them and their care recipients at risk. In the spirit of service, we would like to discuss some of the most common ones:

• Deteriorating physical, mental, and emotional health
  22% of caregivers report that the strain of caregiving has led to poorer health. Caregiving combines physical and emotional labor, which can lead to fatigue, lower immunity, and greater susceptibility to injury and illness.
• Financial problems
  The demands of providing home care and support on their own make many caregivers sacrifice time from their actual jobs. This leads to a strain on their finances since most primary caregivers do not receive pay, which adds a layer of problems for them and the care recipient.
• A sense of isolation
  To provide quality senior care in California, primary caregivers must regularly put the care recipient’s needs first. This means they get less privacy, opportunities for attending to personal needs, and time for rest and recovery.

If you are a primary caregiver, know that you can rest from your duties without sacrificing your loved one’s care, thanks to respite care services. Let our care team handle your tasks and responsibilities as you take time to return to top condition. Learn more about our home health medical services by calling us today.