Caring For a Senior Loved One: Resources For Caregivers

Caregivers are a special group of people working to care for a loved one, including helping them with daily activities such as eating, dressing, and bathing, along with offering companionship. Many tend to prioritize their loved one’s needs over their own, and this can become a huge burden on the caregiver’s own health and finances.

Jennifer Prell, CEO and Founder of Elderwerks Educational Services, emphasizes that self-care is just as important as caregiving for others. To help avoid burnout and distress, caregivers need to identify their own needs, set goals, create boundaries, and ask for help when needed. Admitting that you just can’t do it all might be painful, but it’s beneficial not only for you, but for others around you.

Prell suggests utilizing Elderwerks, a not-for-profit 501(c)3 organization, to help find resources to assist your loved one at home or to find a new senior housing option. Elderwerks is a free service offering information, referrals, and guidance when you need it most.

Home service agencies, handymen, maid services, food delivery organizations, lawn maintenance companies, and others can provide important services to relieve some of your daily obligations. If you are taking care of your loved one 24 hours per day, seven days per week, you must make time for yourself.

Get some relief by enrolling your loved one in an adult day care service for a short time or up to eight hours per day. Your loved one will meet others who are like them, and you can take care of yourself, run errands, and just have time alone if you need it.

Caregiving for a loved one can be a special time, but also a stressful one. Do the tasks you’re good at or like to do, and pass the other tasks on to friends, family, and other resources.

For more information about how Elderwerks can help, please contact:

Elderwerks Educational Services : 251 E. Northwest Highway : Palatine, IL 60067: 855.462.0100 : https://www.elderwerks.org/