Overnight Care… So YOU can be a better YOU.
Caring for a loved one can be both rewarding and challenging. In this video, I dive into the underestimated benefits of overnight care and how it can be a game-changer for YOU as the family caregiver.
Join me in this discussion to explore how overnight care can provide respite, improve your sleep, boost your emotional well-being, and grant you the peace of mind you deserve.
I've poured my heart into this one, and I hope you find it as valuable as I do. If you do, please give it a thumbs up and consider sharing it with others who might benefit from it. - Jonathan
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Transcript:
[Jonathan] It’s easy for most individuals to understand the importance of overnight care for their loved ones. However, oftentimes, they don’t understand how overnight care for their loved ones can actually benefit them as well. Are you ready to learn more about how overnight care can benefit a family caregiver? Let’s go.
Hi, everyone. It's a common scenario that individuals often underestimate the significance of overnight care, especially with elderly who are homebound or who have medical conditions such as mid to late-stage Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia. Sometimes, it takes a near miss, an unexpected trip to the hospital, a stay in a skilled nursing facility, or the realization that our loved ones need more support than we can provide alone to truly appreciate the value of overnight care.
Here's a truth I've come to understand through my experience over the years (and if you know me, chances are you've heard me say this at some point): caregiving services, in general, can be just as vital for family caregivers as they are for the person receiving care. It's not merely about physical support; it's about safeguarding the well-being and peace of mind of everyone involved.
The need for overnight care can sometimes be staring us right in the face, yet we might overlook it for various reasons. In this video, we'll explore some of the reasons why overnight care can be essential for the family caregiver. This video is part of a 2-part series, so we also have another video that you can check out that talks about the benefits of overnight care for the person being cared for.
The family caregiver…..For many of you that are watching this video, that is going to be you. Simply put, overnight care is oftentimes necessary so that YOU can be a better YOU.
There’s a quote: “Don't lose yourself while caring for others. The most important relationship is the one you have with yourself.”
Essentially, this quote is saying, “How are you going to take care of others when you don’t take care of yourself?” I’ve personally seen many situations where there is one family caregiver providing care for a loved one 24 hours a day, 7 days a week….or perhaps the family caregiver works a job during the day and is a caregiver at night…or perhaps he/she has children that they care for as well. Regardless of the situation, the demanding nature of working 24/7, even if it’s not all caregiving, can lead to physical and emotional exhaustion or CAREGIVER BURNOUT, especially as care needs for your loved one increase over time.
You have to acknowledge when it’s time to get more help. If you find you can’t get an uninterrupted night's sleep, overnight care might be a good option. If you’re constantly tired and cranky from providing care to a loved one during the nighttime hours, overnight care might be a good option. If your mental health or physical health is impacted by your caregiving responsibilities, overnight care might be a good option. If you are unable to live your life in terms of doing some of the things YOU enjoy, overnight care might be a good option.
I tried to do some research online before making this video to get some stats. To be honest, the numbers are all over the place. But apparently, there’s a study that Stanford University did at some point that says something to the effect of “40% of all family caregivers providing care for Alzheimer’s patients will die before the patient”. I also found another website that says, “70% of family caregivers over 70 years old will die before the patient.” Regardless of the source of these stats, the point is that family caregivers often pass away before the person they are caring for because they often time neglect their own health.
I’ve come up with 3 high-level reasons you want to have overnight care in place for your benefit as the family caregiver: 1) Respite, 2) Emotional Well-Being and Social well-being, and 3) Your Overall Health
So, let’s first talk about respite. With overnight care, you’ll find that you AND your loved one are BOTH going to get better sleep. Since you’re not providing care during the overnight hours, you’re going to be able to unwind, relax your brain, and RECHARGE! Do this for your own mental sanity! You’ll get that uninterrupted sleep during the night that you’ve been dreaming about….which has some great benefits…..such as reduced stress and anxiety and better health. You’re finally going to have peace of mind when you go to bed! Remember that term “caregiver burnout”? Say bye-bye to that!
Also, when you think about it, overnight care makes you a better caregiver. It allows you to be at your absolute best when you are caring for your loved one …versus being tired, worn out, cranky, etc. And that’s certainly a nice segway into my next reason you want to have overnight care in place…For your own emotional well-being and social well-being.
With overnight care, you’re going to have some free time. You can focus on some hobbies and participate in social activities….and guess what? And here’s the big thing: You are not going to feel so isolated anymore…and the quality of your relationships will improve. For example, those connections with family members will be better, especially if there are some perceived imbalances of who is providing the care. Also, your relationship with the person you are caring for will improve as well!!
My last reason why you might want to have overnight care in place is your health. Many of us get so focused on something, a purpose, that we neglect our own health. Am I right, or am I right? For example, maybe it’s our own careers that we’re focused on..…or our businesses…or something else. The same thing oftentimes happens with caregiving. So take the time to get overnight care in place when you need it….and you’ll be more rested and can take the time to focus on your health. You’ll have no more excuses about not having time to figure out your health insurance not having time to get those doctor’s appointments on the schedule….or missing your doctor’s appointments because you’re too tired.
In summary, overnight care isn't just about providing support for our loved ones; it's about safeguarding the well-being and peace of mind of the family caregiver as well. We've explored how overnight care can offer respite, improve sleep quality, and reduce caregiver burnout. It creates opportunities for personal time, enhances emotional and social well-being, and fosters better relationships with loved ones. Additionally, overnight care promotes your health and self-care, allowing you to focus on your well-being.
Remember, the most crucial relationship you have is the one with yourself. Taking care of yourself ensures you can provide the best care for your loved one. Don't hesitate to seek help when needed. Overnight care can make a significant difference in your life and the quality of care you provide to your loved one.
Thank you for watching this video. If you have any questions or need more information, feel free to reach out to us at Home Helper Home Care of Bradenton. We're here to support you on your caregiving journey. Take Care, and we’ll See you Soon.
HOME HELPERS OF BRADENTON
Home Helpers of Bradenton is one of the region's leading home care franchises specializing in comprehensive services for seniors. Home Helpers' sole mission is to make life easier for clients and their families. Based in Bradenton, Florida, the company serves all of Manatee County, including the communities of Anna Maria, Bradenton, Bradenton Beach, Ellenton, Holmes Beach, Lakewood Ranch, Longboat Key, Palmetto, and Parrish. For more information or to request a free in-home care assessment, contact our office at (941) 499-5946 or visit our website at www.homehelpershomecare.com/bradenton
