When you care for an elderly relative, you may find that you start to neglect your own needs. You may not eat proper meals, or get enough sleep, especially if you live with the person you are caring for. As a result of not looking after your own needs, your own health may start to deteriorate. Below we explore how being a carer may affect your own health and how home care services can support you as a carer.
It can affect your mental health
Over time, the demands of your caring role can have a negative impact on your mental health. The daily demands of ensuring that your loved one is safe and secure in their home, and is getting the absolute best from you, can take its toll on your mental health. When you don’t eat proper meals or get adequate rest, your mental health is seriously at risk.
Exhaustion
Being a carer is tiring work and you can quickly find yourself suffering from exhaustion and burn out. This is an even bigger problem when you provide round the clock care. This is when respite care can help you recharge those batteries.
No social life
It may seem that giving up any kind of social life is the only way to care for an elderly relative full time, and that doing so will not create any problems with your health. But we are all social creatures and we need to interact with others, for our sense of wellbeing and for our physical health. Isolation only leads to more problems.
Physical health
Finally, being a full-time carer can seriously affect your physical health. The impact of stress, a poor diet and a lack of exercise can cause physical health problems, such as high blood pressure, type two diabetes and mobility issues. It is so important to look after yourself so that you can continue in your caring role, and this is when home care services can provide you with the support you need.
We understand the importance of good quality home care services for the elderly and the benefits that this also offers to carers. To learn more about any of our home care services, including dementia home care services and our respite care for the elderly service, then please do get in touch with us today.
