Whether you have an elderly loved one who can no longer take care of themselves on their own or someone else that you love has started to have a hard time living alone, it’s not uncommon for people to eventually help care for someone in their life. And while this can be both fulfilling and simultaneously overwhelming, you may eventually come to a point where you’re unsure how you can continue with the care you’ve been giving.
If this is the point at which you currently find yourself, here are three signs that your loved one needs more medical care than you can give.
They’re Having Major Mobility Issues
If your loved one has been able to get around well on their own up until this point but has since lost some of their mobility, it can be very challenging for you to continue caring for them, especially if they are larger than you.
In this type of situation, having your loved one moved into a nursing home where there have been no issues with elder abuse may be the best next step for everyone involved. According to Dr. Jami Barnett, a contributor to Consumer Affairs, having issues with walking on their own or getting up and down stairs could be a sign that your loved one should be seeking additional help.
Their Level Of Care Is Increasing
For most people who are caring for their loved ones, they generally don’t have much medical background.
Now, when your loved one doesn’t need more than just basic care, this usually isn’t a problem. However, Anna Medaris Miller, a contributor to U.S. News and World Report, shares that if your loved one begins rapidly declining with their health, they may start to need a level of care that you can no longer provide. If this becomes the case, getting additional help, either with an aide or by moving your loved one into a care facility, may be the best option.
You’re Experiencing Too Much Stress
Regardless of how much you love the person you’re taking care of and how close your relationship may be, serving as a caretaker for anyone can be a very stressful experience. Because of this, Sarah Stevenson, a contributor to APlaceForMom.com, shares that if you’re becoming so stressed with being a caregiver that it’s severely negative affecting your life and your own health, you may need to turn over your loved one’s medical care to someone else.
If you experience any of the above-mentioned issues as you take care of your loved one, you may want to consider entrusting their medical care to a professional.