The Ides of March: Caregiving in the Modern Age in East Grand Rapids, MI
Being a caregiver today is different than it was many years ago. First, there are far more resources upon which to rely. Also, there are more opportunities for those who wish to pursue this as a career. Technology has also improved the level of care that patients receive. For those who are planning to be home care providers to family members, times have changed in this regard as well.
The average family caregiver is far busier today with their own life than they were a generation ago. This is due to many different factors, including that the nuclear family has become more fractured. People are living farther apart from their loved ones. This is likely due to the fact that it’s easier now to get to visit with someone else, thanks to cars and public transportation. However, when you’re providing home care for a loved one, this only means that you’re going to spend more time in your car driving back and forth to their house.
Also, more people in families work than they did many years ago. Two income households are far more common today than in any other time in history. Back in the 40s, 50s, and 60s, women tended to remain home to raise children and care for their family while men worked. Today, just as many women work in the professional industries as men do. Coupled with the fact that 80 percent of all caregivers are female and you can begin to realize how this has impacted the overall level of care, and the opportunities to provide care.
More and more people are returning to schooling to try and change careers and advance their life in some meaningful way. As a result, you’re finding that there is simply less time to devote to family members, especially elderly loved ones, who may require some level of care at home.
How can all of this impact you as a caregiver? It’s important that you understand the confines of your time, and your busy schedule, when you take on this role of being a caregiver to a loved one.
If you don’t believe that you’re going to have enough time to be there for them, to provide the optimal level of care for them, then you should consider hiring professional in-home care providers.
You can’t control your busy life, but you can control making the right decision when it comes to your loved one’s care and well-being. Talk to a home care provider and see how they can assist your loved one, while helping you continue to live a full and productive life without being overwhelmed every second of it.
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