For years, the role of family caregiver was primarily filled by middle-aged individuals caring for their aging parents or spouses. However, caregiver demographics are shifting, and these days many millennials are taking on complex caregiving duties. The transition from carefree millennial to caregiver can be difficult. Here are a few tips for millennials who have taken on the role of caregiver.
Be Cognizant of the Challenges You Face
There are still debates about how to chronologically define the millennial generation, but most demographers set birth date parameters from about 1980 to 1996. While the oldest millennials are now nearly 40, many younger millennials are just graduating from college and beginning their careers. Unlike their older counterparts, young millennials may not have much experience making major life decisions. Caregivers have to make serious decisions about finances and healthcare, which can have a long-term impact on their senior loved one’s life. Young people thrust into the role of caregiver should take stock of what they don’t know so they can prepare themselves going forward.
Caring for a senior loved one can be challenging for families who don’t have expertise or professional training in home care, but this challenge doesn’t have to be faced alone. Family caregivers can turn to Philadelphia Home Care Assistance for the help they need. We provide high-quality live-in and respite care as well as comprehensive Alzheimer’s, dementia, stroke, and Parkinson’s care.
Compile the Essential Information
To provide effective care, millennial caregivers need easy access to essential information. They should find and organize all pertinent forms and documents, including relevant insurance policies, contact information for primary and specialty doctors, and a list of current medications. Having easy access to crucial information makes the caregiving process a little bit easier.
Seek Help When Needed
Millennials shouldn’t have to give up on their goals and aspirations to become family caregivers. Young caregivers should seek emotional and care-related support. To stay healthy and grounded during the caregiving experience, young caregivers need friends and family members who can lend them an ear when they need to vent. Online and in-person support groups can also be cathartic. The American Association of Caregiving Youth, the National Council on Aging, and the Family Caregiver Alliance offer support for young caregivers.
Providing care to aging adults can be a challenging task, especially when you have other important duties to tend to. If you are the primary caregiver for a senior loved one in Philadelphia, respite care is available when you need time away from your important caregiving duties. At Home Care Assistance, our respite caregivers are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to help your loved one manage everyday tasks in the comfort of home while you have the chance to take a much-needed break.
Prepare for Adjustments
Millennial caregivers often have to adjust their life plan. They may not be able to finish their grad program a year early or land a big raise before they turn 30. These adjustments can be difficult to face, but young caregivers should try to stay optimistic. Achieving personal milestones may take a little longer, but caregiving itself is a valuable responsibility. It’s easier to stay positive about the future when armed with a plan and a little knowledge. Once young caregivers settle into a caregiving rhythm, they should try to readjust their timeline to accommodate their new responsibilities. They need to ask for fair treatment from their employers. Many areas have laws that protect caregivers from discrimination.
Hiring a professional caregiver is one of the best ways for millennials to mane their caregiving duties with their professional and personal obligations. Although it may be challenging to find reliable, highly rated senior care, Philadelphia, PA, families can turn to Home Care Assistance. Our respite and live-in caregivers are expertly trained to assist seniors with a wide array of important tasks, including cooking, bathing, light housekeeping, and exercise. To create a customized in-home care plan for your aging parent, give us a call at (215) 645-4663 today.