By Maria Burke, RN, Founder & CEO

Celtic Angels Home Health Care

September has always been a month of transition. Children head back to school, routines return, fall activities begin, and family calendars quickly fill with practices, appointments, meetings and commitments.

But for a growing number of adults, there is another responsibility on that calendar: caring for an aging parent or loved one.

Often called the “sandwich generation,” these adults find themselves caring for children while simultaneously helping an older parent remain healthy, safe, and independent. And while summer may offer a little more flexibility, the return of the school year can make that balancing act considerably more difficult.

A morning that once involved getting children off to school may now include checking whether Mom took her medication. An afternoon filled with sports practices may also require getting Dad to a medical appointment. Even a simple trip to the grocery store can become another item on a long list of responsibilities.

The challenge isn’t necessarily a lack of willingness to help. Most family caregivers want to be there for the people they love. The challenge is that there are only so many hours in a day.

Recognizing when a little help could make a big difference

September can be a good time for families to reassess how an aging loved one is managing at home. Are meals being prepared regularly? Is medication being taken correctly? Has personal hygiene become more difficult? Is Mom or Dad becoming isolated during the day? Are household chores or errands becoming overwhelming?

Sometimes the signs are subtle. A refrigerator with very little food, unopened mail accumulating on a table, missed appointments or a parent wearing the same clothing repeatedly can indicate that additional support may be helpful.

And importantly, needing help doesn’t necessarily mean an older adult needs to leave the home they love.

Professional in-home care can provide assistance with everyday activities such as meal preparation, companionship, transportation, light housekeeping, and personal care. Even a few hours of dependable support can make an enormous difference – not only for the person receiving care, but for the entire family.

From doing everything to being present

There is another benefit that families sometimes overlook.

When adult children are responsible for every task associated with an aging parent’s care, their relationship can gradually become centered around a checklist: Did you eat? Did you take your medication? Did you shower? Did you make your doctor’s appointment?

Having additional caregiving support can allow family members to step out of the role of full-time coordinator and return to something much more meaningful: simply being a daughter, son, spouse, or grandchild.

As families settle into their fall routines, it may be worth asking one simple question:

Does our current caregiving arrangement still work for everyone involved?

If the answer is “not quite,” that doesn’t mean the family has failed. It may simply mean the family’s needs have changed.

At Celtic Angels Home Health Care, we believe families shouldn’t have to choose between caring for their children, meeting their own responsibilities and making sure an aging loved one receives the attention and companionship they deserve. Sometimes, having another caring set of hands is exactly what helps everyone find their balance again.

Questions? Call us at 781-331-0062 or visit www.celticangelsinc.com.