If You’re Feeling Overwhelmed, Depressed, or Angry Caring for Mom, Assisted Living Could Be the Solution

August 11, 2020 by ·

Being a family caregiver is often a difficult job. Most people don’t think it’s going to be all that tough when they first step up to the plate, so to speak, but in time they get overwhelmed with stress, pressure, anxiety, worry, and even doubt. 

During those initial months and possibly even years looking after an aging or disabled family member, one of the last things people consider is assisted living. They might assume it’s their job to look after this aging senior or that if they don’t, he or she will be at serious risk of injury or other problems. 

As the burden of looking after this aging parent or grandparent increases, so too does the time commitment in most situations. That can lead to increased levels of stress and anxiety for the caregiver. 

This caregiving individual might struggle to sleep well at night, develop a shorter temperament, and feel anxious too often. When you reach a point when you’re feeling depressed, angry, and overwhelmed looking after your elderly mother, it’s time to look into assisted living. 

 

“But isn’t that for it…”

Assisted Living Chickasaw, AL: Feeling Overwhelmed as a Caregiver

One of the most common misconceptions people have about assisted living is that it’s end-of-life care. They commonly associate it with facility care for people at the advanced end stages of their life. 

The last thing you want to do is give your mother the impression you think her life has basically come to an end or that you no longer care enough to help her. 

Assisted living is about helping people live as high a quality of life as possible based on their age, physical limitations, and other health factors. 

 

It’s not that you don’t care. 

Too often people who become caregivers for aging parents feel trapped eventually. They think about discussing assisted living or some other option, but they worry their mother or father will basically say, “It’s just because you don’t care about me anymore.” 

Convincing somebody that assisted living would be the best option for their future actually shows just how much you do care. 

That’s because quality of life at an assisted living facility often improves compared to living alone, even being supported by a close family member like a spouse or adult child. 

With activities, entertainment, responsive staff, and other amenities including a dining facility and nice lounges where they can read, play games, and talk to other seniors their own age, it becomes clear that assisted living really is one of the best options. 

 

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

Filed Under: Assisted Living Chickasaw AL, Overwhelmed as a Caregiver · 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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