Caregiving is rife with challenges, no matter how loving or committed you are to supporting your loved one. You may alternate between feelings of frustration and fulfillment — between love and resentment. Without sufficient support, caregivers can experience intense burnout, which can have serious health implications. After five years of providing care, 20 percent of caregivers report fair or poor health. The right caregiver support in Canton, Georgia, can protect your health and well-being while empowering you to continue caring for your loved one.
Respite Care and In-Home Support
Every caregiver deserves a break. Yet many caregivers do not take the breaks they need. Some feel guilty when admitting to their need for time off. Others worry about what will happen to their loved one in their absence. Unfortunately, caregivers who continuously give their time and energy to others are more likely to be unhealthy themselves. The phenomenon of caregiver burnout, or caregiver fatigue, is real and has serious health consequences. Family and professional caregivers can suffer symptoms of burnout, depression, and anxiety, as well as a weaker immune system and higher blood pressure.
The truth is that no one can provide quality care all day, every day, for years on end. The good news is that you don’t have to. Fortunately, caregiver support in Canton includes choices of respite care services, giving you time to run a few errands, take a much needed nap, or get out of town for the weekend while a qualified caregiving professional takes over care duties for your loved one.
The following respite care options give you a break and offer your loved one a safe place to meet new people and explore new activities:
- The Georgia Adult Day Services Association offers a directory of quality adult day-care programs, as well as tips for choosing and affording day care.
- The Alzheimer’s Services Center offers drop-in adult day care, as well as a number of caregiver seminars and support groups.
- Cherokee County’s Congregate Meal Program offers seniors a safe place to eat a nutritious lunch and meet new friends.
- Cherokee County’s In-Home Services supports seniors in their efforts to manage housekeeping tasks so that they can remain in their own homes for longer.
- The Georgia Department of Human Services Division of Aging Services offers a directory of in-home programs that help seniors and their caregivers.
Caregiver Support Groups
Every caregiver needs the profound reassurance that they are not alone. The right support group can ease your anxiety and guilt, connect you to new resources, and maybe even help you make friends who understand the challenges you face. Check out these options:
- Cherokee County Senior Services offers regular caregiver support meetings.
- Cherokee County’s Caregiver Assistance Network can connect you to resources and government services that may ease the burden of caregiving.
- The Georgia Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association boasts a robust array of resources, including a caregiver support group, caregiver education, fundraisers, and information about local help.
Activities
When your days are consumed by mundane tasks such as bathing and grooming your loved one, and you spend much of your spare time worrying about the future, it’s easy to forget that both you and your loved one deserve to enjoy life. Caregiver support in Canton can often look like finding events to enjoy together or separately, giving you each the opportunity to relax or pursue a new hobby.
The right activities can help you both feel less alone, making life more enjoyable. Here are some great resources:
- Check out the YMCA of Metro Atlanta’s list of programs for active seniors. Contact Empowerline, which offers residents of Atlanta, Canton, and surrounding areas a wide range of resources, including plenty of classes and special events.
- Visit the Georgia Council on Aging, which promotes healthy, meaningful activities for seniors of all ability levels.
- Visit the William G. Long Senior Center, which hosts daily activities and regular special events.
- If your loved one is athletic or aspires to be, ask them about participating in the Cherokee County Senior Olympics.
Senior Living
Senior living is one of the best caregiver support resources in Canton. Assisted living and dementia care communities can nurture your loved one’s interests with a wide range of activities and outings that can help keep your loved one happy, active, and engaged. In senior living, your loved one has 24/7 support, and access to a wide range of amenities that they can’t typically get at home.
Senior living also relieves you of the never-ending challenges of caregiving. This can restore balance to your relationship and yet again allow you to enjoy meaningful time with your loved one — without the burden of knowing they’re counting on you and you alone for help. You may find that your relationship improves, and that you’re able to again enjoy time together. Go for a walk along the Etowah River over the weekend, or enjoy a quiet dinner at a local restaurant. Senior living makes it possible while keeping your loved one safe.
The Arbor at BridgeMill can help you to better support your loved one. We also offer you a wide range of resources that can help you manage the challenges of caregiving. To learn more, give us a call or attend one of our special events. We can’t wait to meet you!
