Help! How Can I Get A Break? Caregivers Who Never Get A Break Won't Be Able To Give Much Care

If you're the primary caregiver for a senior family member, you know - it's a physically, emotionally, and soul-draining experience.

In addition, it's also a thankless task. The person for whom you're caring may not even know you're caring for him. And other family members - who may consider themselves lucky because they're not the caregiver - may not even want to talk about it, let alone thank you.

It's also a 24/7 task, of course - you can't clock in and out. But if you don't get a break here or there, your loved one may not be the only family member who'll need care.

Family members should be your first resource. You may be uncomfortable in asking (although perhaps not quite as uncomfortable as they are in being asked!). But if you don't ask, you'll never know.

And there are other options...

Private Duty Home Care - This might entail bathing, sitting, taking your loved one to appointments, shopping, meals, and other everyday necessities. Ask you local Alzheimer's Association, Area Agency on Aging, or case-management/referral service for recommendations on local providers.

Adult Day Services - These centers provide socialization, stimulation, and supervision. If your loved one has Alzheimer's, make sure the center has experience with such patients!

Overnight Care - You can often get a one - or two-night respite by utilizing assisted living or nursing homes; many offer short-term stays.

Hire a Caregiver - Your local Alzheimer's Association of Area Agency on Aging can probably provide some references. There's no central agency, though, that's responsible for independent caregivers. So you've got to do your homework. Check references. Do a background check. And bring any candidates to your home, so you can see how they interact with your loved one.

At the Law Offices of Alice Reiter Feld & Associates, we can help you navigate the Elder Care Road...along with items such as estate planning, wills, trusts, powers of attorney, long-term care planning, the VA, Medicaid, and protecting assets. We've been practicing Elder Law for 33 years...and we've helped thousands of South Florida families.

Caregivers need a support system, too. And we can be yours.

We're just a phone call away.