Can Setting Limits Make You a Better Family Caregiver?

By Evan Loevner, CEO | April 25, 2017
Elderly-Care-in-Hillsborough-CA

Elderly Care in Hillsborough CA: Can Setting Limits Make You a Better Family Caregiver?

If you’re looking for ways to make caregiving easier for you and to help your loved one even more, then setting limits is the way to go. By setting some boundaries for yourself when it comes to caregiving you can focus on what you’re willing and able to do.

 

Evaluate Your Needs as Well as Your Loved One’s Needs

The first step is always going to be looking at what you truly need and what your elderly loved one needs, as well. Then you can start looking at how well those needs work together. If there are aspects of care that your loved one needs, such as help dressing, that you cannot physically help her with due to your own health issues, that’s a prime example of needs clashing.

 

What Are Your Priorities?

You may have priorities in your own life that take precedence over your loved one’s needs. That’s not a matter of you being cruel. What that means is that you are aware of your priorities and you’re willing to accommodate them. Just because something is a higher priority than a need of your loved one’s, that doesn’t make you a bad person or a bad caregiver.

 

You Can Say “No”

Saying “no” can be so difficult for family caregivers because it feels like such a selfish thing to do. The truth is that you’re not being selfish if you say no. You’re paying attention to your needs and priorities and you’re acknowledging that you can’t meet your loved one’s needs at that time. Saying no also doesn’t mean that you’re saying no forever. That may be your answer one time for one situation.

 

Get Help for What You Can’t Do

Just because you’re saying no for now, that doesn’t mean you’re leaving your elderly loved one there to flounder on her own. She still needs assistance in some way and you can facilitate that for her. Find someone who can do what you’re not able to do, whether that’s other family members or elderly care providers. There’s no reason that anyone, either your or your loved one, needs to suffer because you’re not able to take over.

You may even find that your limits change from time to time. That’s normal and there’s no reason to feel guilt about that at all.

If you or an aging loved one are considering hiring professional elderly care in Hillsborough, CA, call the caring staff at Aviva In-Home Care. Call today: (415) 795-2203

Evan Loevner, CEO

CEO at Aviva In-home Care
As a former hospital administrator, I launched Aviva with the goal of having a more focused, direct impact on the delivery of care than I could ever accomplish within a hospital setting. For me, the joy of running an organization like Aviva In-Home Care is having the ability to positively improve the lives of individuals needing customized care. As a passionate San Francisco resident, I know that many local seniors can benefit from new approaches to in-home care, that will bring them more connection to the community, and provide families with a greater sense of comfort that their loved one is indeed matched with an ideal caregiver. This starts by including the family throughout the care planning process, a key component of the concept of “family-centered care,” which has been adopted by top medical centers. A strong communication loop between family, the caregiver, Aviva management, and community healthcare practitioners is essential for ensuring that all the needs of the client are met. While this may not sound like a novel concept, it is not commonly practiced within the home care community.

At Aviva, we also use the latest in health technology to maximize opportunities for communication between all members of our client’s care circles. We utilize nursing oversight to ensure that we are in compliance with physician orders, and that our careplans are being properly administered. Lastly, Aviva is a proud member of The Senior’s Choice, a national network of leading home care agencies that share best practices and focus on continual improvement.

As owner of the business, I also promise to you my direct involvement in your loved ones care, and will always make myself available for feedback and improvements in our service. I look forward to working with you and your loved one on creating a care plan that is perfectly suited to the family's needs. Thank you for considering Aviva as your care partner.

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