How using the right tools can ease the many challenges faced by family caregivers
Family caregivers, whether paid professionals or unpaid caregivers, friends, or relatives, face an increased risk of developing problems such as depression, anxiety, and stress. The other main mental health issues they must deal with daily are fatigue and isolation.
Caregiving may begin suddenly following an accident or gradually as the care recipient’s health or age deteriorates.
Whether they willingly take on the role or are suddenly thrust into this reality, family caregivers often face feelings of guilt, worry, and sadness. If they are new to the role, they may also feel uncertain about their ability to do everything that needs to be done.
Caregivers often find caring for another human being rewarding, but there are times when they may find it overwhelming, stressful, and traumatic. This is understandable, given that they face their loved one’s anguish and suffering every day.
Family caregivers spend up to 20 hours per week, on average, caring for family members, and 13% provide 40 hours of care or more. Caregivers who have cared for a loved one even report that their health is “fair” or “poor.”
Caring for someone with dementia, for example, can have a very serious impact on the immune system. Accumulated stress puts caregivers particularly at risk of developing a serious illness themselves, even up to three years after the caregiving period has ended.
Caregiving is a demanding profession, and evidence shows that family caregivers are much more likely to neglect their own needs than people who do not care for others. Naturally, failing to take regular care of oneself often has negative consequences for a person’s well-being.
With all the challenges caregivers face each day, any resource that can make the work less difficult and more rewarding is welcome. Two areas they are always concerned about are the health and hygiene of the people in their care.
Fortunately, many aids are available to them, which can make it easier to ensure that care recipients are clean and that hygiene is maintained at a high level.
The FACILI-TMC folding commode chair is one of these tools in a caregiver’s arsenal, helping relieve many of the challenges faced by seniors with mobility problems. Easy to move and height-adjustable, it can be used at the bedside or over the toilet. It is also lightweight, quick to clean, easy to fold, and easy to store. This versatile commode chair can also be used with Hygienic EnvelopesMC" and super-absorbent pads to make cleaning tasks easier.
Wet cleansing gloves are another innovation that makes caregivers’ lives easier. These soft, ultra-durable gloves slip easily onto the hand and are the ideal solution when baths and showers are not an option. They are single-use, so no rinsing is required, and they can be warmed in the microwave to increase patient comfort. The gloves are free of latex, soap, and alcohol, making them an ideal hygienic solution for all skin types.
Caring for others often becomes a stressful situation, but there are tools and accessories that can make many daily tasks less burdensome. It is also important to surround yourself with good advisors and reliable resources.
The Guide to Programs and Services for Seniors in Ontario contains a selection of resources and contact information if you need information about finances, nutrition, fall prevention, and much more: [...]
The equivalent for Quebec provides detailed information about contacts and programs for seniors: [...]
There are also organizations such as l’APPUI in Quebec that can offer help, support, and advice when needed.
Reference Article: