There are so many benefits to providing care for a senior loved one at home: a strengthened relationship and bond, the satisfaction that comes from knowing you’re making a difference in someone’s life through a challenging time. While incredibly rewarding, however, family caregivers will be quick to tell you that it’s not all roses and sunshine! The truth is, caregiving can be overwhelming, exhausting, isolating, and stressful. And if caregivers aren’t taking care of themselves, they’re at risk for caregiver burnout, depression, and other serious health concerns.

One great way to find help is through family caregiver support groups. The referred care providers at American, Advocate, and Whitsyms In-Home Care have outlined some of the key benefits below:

• The chance to vent in a nonjudgmental environment and receive compassion, empathy, and understanding
• An opportunity to learn better, healthier coping skills
• The ability to improve upon existing caregiving skills
• A sense of regaining control and empowerment
• Tips and advice to help ensure seniors can remain at home longer
• Reduced isolation, loneliness, anxiety, and depression
• Validation of feelings and experiences
• And many others

There are a number of both in-person and virtual family caregiver support groups available. Find one that best meets your needs through:

• The nearest hospital or community center
• Disease-specific organizations, such as the Alzheimer’s Association, Parkinson’s Foundation, American Cancer Society, or National Stroke Association
• Your local Area Agency on Aging
• Local faith communities

The referred Florida senior care experts at American, Advocate, and Whitsyms In-Home Care are also a great resource for family caregivers. A referred care professional can partner with family caregivers to assist with a variety of in-home care needs for seniors, freeing up time for family members to take the time they need for self-care. Some of the many tasks we can assist with include:

• Socialization and companionship for enjoyable activities and outings
• Planning and preparing nutritious meals
• Light housekeeping and laundry
• Running errands

And many more

Reach out to us any time for the support you need by professionals you can trust. Just click on the link below to the location that is closest to you.

• American In-Home Care – Serving North, Central, and West Coast of Florida
• Advocate In-Home Care – Serving Southeast and Southwest Florida
• Whitsyms In-Home Care – Serving Southeast and Southwest Florida

State of Florida License and Registration Numbers: 30211518, 30211651, 30211295, 30211390, 30210978, 30211293, 30211382, 30211504, 30211733, 30211535, 30211531, 30211710, 30211709, 30211045, 5661

As children, siblings go through a range of experiences and emotional journeys together. Threaded in with the joys of growing up together are issues such as sibling rivalry, jealousy, and basic differences in personality types. Sibling dynamics can be complicated when we’re young, and sometimes those dynamics carry through into adulthood.

As a result, family caregiving with siblings can be challenging. Each person has his or her own opinions, and when those opinions clash, it’s not always easy to come to a resolution that pleases everyone. Holding regular family meetings with specific parameters in place can be helpful. Try these tips from our Florida senior care experts at American, Advocate, Douglas and Whitsyms In-Home Care for successful family meetings – leading to more effective family caregiving.

1. Where should you meet? Comfort is key, whether that means meeting in someone’s home, or a neutral location – a coffee shop, restaurant, park, library meeting room, etc. Choose a meeting space that is comfortable and one that has limited distractions and noise. If you can’t meet in person, utilize a platform such as Zoom to meet remotely.
2. How should you begin? Before the first meeting, create an agenda, with each sibling’s input on what should be discussed. Share a copy in advance with everyone, and agree to follow the agenda, shelving any additional items that may arise until the next meeting.
3. What rules should be in place? This will differ for each family, but in general, should include guidelines such as allowing each person the chance to be heard without judgment, using respectful language, and making it a safe place to openly share thoughts and feelings. And if you’re meeting remotely, it’s important to keep in mind that people often behave differently than when meeting in person, and to structure guidelines accordingly.
4. What if you can’t agree? Compromise is key, as there often will be no one-size-fits-all solution to the issues being addressed. Agree to disagree at times, knowing that at the heart of the conversation is making life the best it can be for an elderly parent.
5. What happens next? Document any decisions made during the meeting and share with each sibling so that everyone is on the same page. It’s also a good idea to schedule the next meeting while you’re all together, to adhere to a schedule of regular, ongoing conversations.

Know that throughout the challenges of providing care for an elderly parent, American, Advocate, Douglas and Whitsyms In-Home Care’s professional referred care providers are on hand to serve as your partner in care, allowing you the opportunity to step away from caregiving tasks while knowing your parent is receiving high quality care.

To find out more about the many ways we can help, click on the location below that is nearest to you for additional information:

• American In-Home Care – Serving North, Central, and West Coast of Florida
• Advocate In-Home Care – Serving Southeast and Southwest Florida
• Douglas In-Home Care – Serving Treasure Coast
• Whitsyms In-Home Care – Serving Southeast and Southwest Florida

Reach out to us today to discover how Florida’s best referred care providers are helping seniors – and the families who love them – enjoy life to the fullest with exceptional in-home care services.

State of Florida License and Registration Numbers: 30211518, 30211651, 30211295, 30211390, 30210978, 30211293, 30211382, 30211504, 30211733, 30211535, 30211531, 30211710, 30211709, 30211045, 5661