When beginning the emotional journey of elder care, many first-time caregivers have a host of questions. Especially involving the balance of work and responsibilities at a parent’s or loved one’s home, where they once could care for themselves and now need help.

“It can be like balancing two households at once,” says Great Care Founder and CEO Julie Sullivan. “We often meet with families and quickly discover that managing the simple tasks of buying weekly groceries, preparing meals, dusting, tidying up the house, and keeping track of medicines can be overwhelming when combined with a caregiver’s regular schedule. The key is to not become overwhelmed. We can help with in-home assistance that can make so much of a difference in a very short time.”

Every caregiver situation is unique. And not all employers or family situations make it easy on caregivers who quickly find themselves in a role they may not have planned for, even a month prior. With Baby Boomers now at the prime caregiving age, according to the Family Caregiver Alliance, caregiving as a key element of everyday life for millions of U.S. families is fast becoming more of a norm.

“As our population ages, more families are providing care for an older adult at home, and an increasing number of people will need such care in the future,” says the Family Caregiver Alliance, in its “Work and Eldercare” publication. “Although we are living longer, debilitating, age-related illnesses such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s, arthritis, diabetes and stroke are occurring with increasing frequency. Hospital stays are becoming shorter, meaning more care is needed at home.”

The Alliance also notes that women, the traditional caregivers for children and the elderly in the past, are now in the workforce and less available to provide full-time care. More men are assuming caregiving responsibilities, the report says.

“As many as 42 percent of employed Americans (more than 54 million people) have provided eldercare in the last five years; 17 percent currently provide care. The average age of caregivers is 49—a peak year for earnings and for career achievement. Women take on slightly more responsibility for care, but men are greatly impacted also.”

Sullivan says Great Care home health aids can be the saving grace for family members balancing their own careers and home lives with parenting their own parents or loved ones.

“We can work with a variety of work schedules and help out during the morning and evening hours with morning perk-ups and evening tuck-in services,” she says. “Maybe an elderly family member or loved one needs extra care when you can’t be there – for personal hygiene, helping around the house, companionship, and errands. we try to make life a little more simple for our families who might just need that extra little help.”

The professionals at Great Care are available to talk with you and your family about all of your home care needs. Great Care is a non medical in-home care agency providing quality and affordable elder care in Fishers, IN and the surrounding areas. Call (317) 595-9933 for more information.