Feeling Fatigued as a Family Caregiver? Assisted Living Offers a Wonderful Alternative

December 15, 2020 by ·

One of the greatest struggles middle-aged men and women (the vast majority of family caregivers happen to be women) will come in the form of looking after an aging parent. Family caregivers are currently estimated to number about 44 million in this country (Forbes). 

There are many people struggling to make it through each day. And that was before a global pandemic struck. In the midst of the coronavirus, things were even more challenging as people became extremely concerned about spreading the virus to this more susceptible elderly population. 

It’s easy to become fatigued and worn out as a family caregiver. Whether or not you are working at the moment while taking care of an aging parent or grandparent, you can still face incredible stress, frustration, and anxiety. 

This can often lead to burnout where you suddenly give up, no longer care about much of anything, and that is no good for anyone. 

 

Assisted living is a great alternative.

Assisted Living Pascagoula, AL: Feeling Fatigued

Unfortunately, many of these same family caregivers never consider assisted living because they feel this is their responsibility. They feel a sense of obligation to care for this aging parent or other loved one. 

If more people looked into assisted living carefully, went on an available tour to visit a facility, and spoke to administrators or even some residents at these quality assisted living communities, they would discover that it truly is a much better alternative for not just the family caregiver, but especially for the senior. 

 

What makes assisted living so valuable? 

It offers aging men and women a sense of community. The residents at quality assisted living communities make friends, are surrounded by peers their own age who are dealing with the same struggles, concerns, and worries as they are. 

That can help boost emotional and mental health in many ways. 

Assisted living also offers a number of activities, including great entertainment rooms, possibly exercise rooms, and the ability to get out and enjoy a wonderful day when they want, not just when a family caregiver has time to stop over. 

It’s a much safer alternative than for an aging senior to be living alone and struggling just to get through each day. If you are a family caregiver and are feeling worn out, fatigued, frustrated, or even completely stressed out and simply don’t know what to do anymore, look into assisted living. 

Yes, you may be met with initial resistance, but the more you know about it, what it offers, and why it would be a great place for your aging parent or other loved one to live, it will be much easier for you to share that truth with them, too. 

 

If you or an aging loved one are considering Assisted Living near Pascagoula, AL, contact Ashbury Manor Specialty Care and Assisted Living at 251-317-3017. 

Filed Under: Assisted Living in Pascagoula AL, Feeling Fatigued · Tagged: ,
About Cindy Johnson

Ashbury Manor’s Administrator since 2008, Cindy Johnson is a long-time expert in the assisted living field. Prior to her arrival at Ashbury Manor, Cindy managed acquisitions and crisis management for existing and new larger senior care project developments for eleven years. As regional manager for an Oregon-based assisted living management company, Cindy was directly responsible for operations for five 50-65 bed assisted living facilities. As manager during the transition to new ownership, Cindy reorganized internal operations and conducted leadership training for Executive Directors. As a result of her management and expertise, one of the company’s facilities (in Ocala, Florida) received a deficiency-free survey, resulting in the lifting of a moratorium on operation.

A nurse for 36 years, senior care has always been Cindy’s passion. Desiring to work more closely with residents, Cindy became a Category II Administrator in 2005. As Ashbury Manor’s Administrator, Cindy understands the complexities associated with dementia and cognitive impairment and she has fallen in love with seniors with dementia or cognitive impairment and their families.

Cindy is Treasurer of the local “Senior Coalition” chapter. She enjoys mentoring new candidates who want to become administrators.

As a 16-bed facility, with Cindy's training and experience, our residents and their families can be sure Ashbury Manor’s carefully selected staff provides the expertise of a larger facility while maintaining the individualized personal care of a small special needs home.
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