What Three Things Would You Do If You Weren’t a Family Caregiver?
Can you imagine what your life would be like without the caregiver responsibilities any longer? If you have been acting as a family caregiver for many years, you might no longer remember what it was like before you took on this incredible responsibility.
There may have been a tremendous number of things you enjoyed doing that you have given up along the way. Even if you have only been a caregiver for a few months, there are probably several things you wish you could still do, but don’t seem to have the time to pursue them.
If you could list just three things that you would do if you weren’t acting as a family caregiver right now for an aging parent, grandparent, spouse, sibling, or somebody else you love, what might those be?
Let’s look at a few of the most common answers many family caregivers have provided over the years.
1. They would spend more time with friends.
Caregiver Northbrook, IL: Life Before Caregiving
This is a big one. One of first things that gets set aside when a loved one needs regular, ongoing support is spending time with the people we love. Often, this might be a spouse, your own teenage or young adult children, and even friends.
Friends are often the first to be let go when time is limited. Yet, it’s those same friends that can help us refresh and recharge, gain perspective, and even tell us some difficult things we just don’t want to hear.
If you didn’t have to carry on these caregiver responsibilities, would you spend more time with your friends? Does that thought bring a little melancholy sadness to your heart? Do you wish you could do that right now? You can.
Home care can provide you the time you need to spend with friends. And, it doesn’t have to be full-time care, either. You can hire an agency for just a couple of hours each day or even just a couple of days a week to give you that opportunity.
2. They would focus more on their career.
Many family caregivers either take time from work or lose their focus on the job. They are more concerned with this aging parent or other loved one, what they might need, or worrying about the call they may receive that something happened when they weren’t around.
If you knew somebody was there to support this aging senior while you were at work, you could focus more on the job, your career, and get everything in your life back on track.
3. They could pursue other hobbies and interests.
Whether it’s learning to sculpt, playing tennis or golf, or something else, most family caregivers give up these hobbies and interests while assisting an aging or disabled family member.
You don’t have to give these up anymore. Not when you realize home care is just a phone call away. Through an agency, you can hire a home care aide for a schedule that makes sense for the senior and you.
Now, what are some of those things that you would do if you didn’t have to be a constant family caregiver?
If you or an aging loved one are considering a Caregiver in Northbrook, IL, contact the caring staff at Companion Services of America today at (847) 943-3786. Our home care service area includes Northbrook, Highland Park, Deerfield, Glenview, Buffalo Grove, Evanston, Des Plaines, Skokie, Lake Forest, Wilmette and the surrounding areas.
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