There are certain milestones we might experience in our lives that, while not fundamentally negative, are known stressors. Losing a job. Starting a new job. Getting divorced. Getting married. And one that individuals in the home care industry are particularly mindful of: the physical and mental impact on family members who are caring for aging parents.
A lot of conflicting emotions arise for those in the role of family caregiver, and they are made worse when trying to share commitments with siblings or other members of the family. There are past resentments and hurts which may resurface, disputes associated with decision-making, as well as the stress of trying to navigate what seems like a role reversal with a parent who once provided for us.
For these reasons and many more, family counseling may be a wonderful addition to a family caregiver’s toolbox to guarantee the very best possible care for elderly parents, in addition to his or her own mental wellbeing. Here are just a few potential benefits to family therapy as parents age:
- It provides care for the family caregiver. Undertaking the role of family caregiver may be overwhelming in and of itself, but factor in further responsibilities, such as managing a home and caring for children while maintaining a career, and you’ve got a recipe for stress. Family counseling helps caregivers work through complicated emotions and reach resolutions.
- It offers support through grief. Grief comes in many forms, and quite often begins during the early stages of caring for elderly parents, as family members sort out the inherent changes occurring now and to come. When an elderly parent is identified as having Alzheimer’s or any other type of dementia, the decrease in cognitive functioning brings about yet another level of grief. A family therapist will help all people in the family to sort out their grief together.
- It helps the family as a unit. A family counselor is focused on achieving precisely what is most beneficial for the whole family as well as its cohesiveness, through challenges such as issues associated with inheritance and other financial concerns, medical decisions, and any complicated family dynamics.
If in-person therapy sessions for your family aren’t possible due to geographic restraints, continued COVID-19 distancing concerns, or any other reason, phone or Zoom sessions can be just as effective. The key is for participation to be a priority for all members of the family involved, and to make therapy sessions a consistent, routine commitment.
If you need a partner to provide trustworthy respite care services while you devote the time needed for family therapy, reach out to us online or at (630) 323-4665 to learn more about our in-home care in Elmhurst and surrounding areas. With both a dependable family therapist in addition to the aging care professionals at Independence-4-Seniors Home Care on your side, your family can deal with caregiving related obstacles and take pleasure in quality time together.