Home Care in Ada, MI – A Doctor’s Perspective on Caregiver Health

Home Care in Ada, MIIt is vital to be interested in the well-being of family caregivers. Doctors and scientists are beginning to study the effects of caregiving and the results on caregiver health. Caregiver health must become a public health issue, because there are millions of family caregivers in America. The numbers are only going to increase, and the length of time they provide caregiving will also increase.

You are probably in this category. A family caregiver seeking out more information to help you with your roles and responsibilities. Trying to find out how caregiving might affect your health? Then you’ve come to the right place. This article will give you an idea of what doctors have observed in the way of caregiver health.

  • Caring for a chronically sick loved one can have serious health consequences for the caregiver
  • Lowered immune system strength which could cause more frequent occurrence of infections
  • Wounds heal slower
  • Overall general health is in a lower state compared to non-caregiver groups
  • Headaches, insomnia and gastro-intestinal problems occur more frequently
  • Risk of heart disease is increased
  • Anxiety disorders and depression take place at a higher rate
  • Higher rates of alcohol abuse and other substance use
  • Emotional exhaustion

If you think about it, a sick caregiver can’t take care of themselves or someone else. The purpose of bringing up this study is to encourage caregivers to be especially diligent to take care of themselves. Home care services can be your biggest ally. Expert caregivers can come into your elderly loved one’s home and give them the highest quality care. They can be doing this while you take care of yourself and the other people in your life. It’s not as expensive as you think! When compared to most long-term care facilities, home care is quite affordable.

There are other benefits of home care as well. Your elderly loved one is happier being able to age at home in the comfort and familiarity of their home and neighborhood. They are closer to their group of friends and places where they are used to socializing. Studies have shown that seniors who remain at home are healthier and happier and are able to stay independent longer.

You may at first think that having a caregiver means the loved one has lost their independence, but there is a much better way of looking at independence! When compared to someone who is in a care facility and has no flexibility for meal times, bath days, going shopping and so on, home care service is very independence-oriented.

Loving caregivers encourage elders to do as much as they can, lending a hand when necessary. They usually become the senior’s most trusted and loyal friend and companion, a perfect way to avoid the pitfalls of loneliness.

If you or someone you know needs help with home care in Ada, MI, contact the caregivers at Gauthier Family Home Care. We provide quality and affordable home care for many disabled and elderly loved ones in our community. Call us at (616) 258-2300 for more information.

Gauthier Family Home Care