“Caregiver” is a big label that can encompass any number of things when you are caring for a loved one at home. According to the two-tiered study, Home Alone, and Home Alone Revisited, funded by the United Hospital Fund and the AARP, caregivers often feel as though they have taken on the labels of both “skilled nurse” and “home manager.” Caregivers often struggle to figure out how to manage and give medications; care for their loved one’s wounds; and organize, schedule, and take their loved ones to visit various medical professionals. Combine that with round-the-clock needs, lots of stress, and little sleep, and that’s a lot to shoulder alone–especially if your background is not in the medical field.

Many caregivers who participated in the study reported that the most stressful part of their new responsibilities involved providing personal care for their loved ones; that is, helping with trips to the bathroom, getting showered, and such. In this particular study, caregivers reported that finances were also an important issue: they were not able to afford skilled home care for their family members and felt their presence in the home was making it possible for their loved one to stay out of a facility.

Caring for a loved one at the end of life is a daunting task that no one should have to face alone. At Suburban Hospice, we understand how overwhelming and complex caring for a loved one at home can be, so we are available 24/7, providing the assistance, education, and problem-solving you need to keep your loved one safe and comfortable. We also have hospice aides who can come to assist with your loved one’s personal care. What’s more, we can provide you all with emotional and spiritual support and resources and help you get some much-needed rest by providing five-day respite stays in a skilled nursing facility.

When a family member is in hospice care, it is a sacred time in the family’s life, and we know this means your whole family—patient, caregiver, extended family, and even pets–needs additional support and care. Our RNs, aides, social workers, and chaplains bring compassionate, expert care to meet you where you are and help you shoulder the label of “caregiver” so you can stay focused on what matters most: your precious time with your loved one.