Ten Common Caregiving Myths for Dallas to Watch Out For

Many new caregivers are surprised to find that caring for an elderly family member is a much different experience than they anticipated. They often find the process enriching in ways that they never dreamed, as well as overwhelming in ways that are completely unexpected. Caregivers can prepare themselves, however, by becoming familiar with these ten common cargiving myths.

1. Caregivers have limited resources. Many new caregivers struggle with their responsibilities, and some feel that they have limited support. However, awareness of caregiver needs continues to increase, and many agencies are currently in place to provide required aid. Contact your local area agency on aging for more information.
2. Caregiving requires few, if any, financial resources. A recent study sponsored by Genworth Financial revealed that while only 40% of caregivers expected to provide financial aid, in actuality, 83% of caregivers provide such aid.
3. Caregiving is burdensome. While providing care for an elderly individual can be stressful and challenging, it can also be an enriching, rewarding experience, providing inner fulfillment. Caregivers can also find joy in the companionship of the person they are assisting.
4. Adult children who care for their elderly parents at home are in the minority. In fact, increasing numbers of families are choosing to care for aging relatives at home, rather than placing them in care facilities. New technologies are also making it easier for family members to stay in contact with one another from afar, so that even relatives who are separated by long distances can participate in caregiving.
5. Caregivers do not experience any negative career impacts. Unfortunately, this is not true. The study sponsored by Genworth Financial also revealed that while only 29% of caregivers expected to experience negative impacts upon their careers, in actuality 48% experienced some effect upon their jobs.
6. Family members will gladly do their part without being asked. Caregivers frequently expect to receive more family support than they actually do. Therefore, it is important for primary caregivers to communicate their needs honestly to family members.
7. Most caregivers know how they will care for their aging family members before the need arises. Individuals who find the role of caregiver unexpectedly thrust upon them should not feel that they are alone. The majority of families do not create a caregiving plan until they are forced to do so.
8. Caregiver roles always falls to women. While it is true that most caregivers are female, more than 30% of caregivers are male.
9. Programs such as Medicaid and Medicare pay for all medical expenses. Sadly, while government programs do provide some aid, they often do not cover all needed medical care. Only individuals whose income is low enough to allow them to qualify benefit from Medicaid, and Medicare does not cover everything. Caregivers often find that they must pay for home health care workers, adult day services, and other similar services themselves.
10. Caring for an elderly or disabled family member is no more difficult than raising a child. New caregivers often expect to be able to handle their responsibilities without aid, feeling that the experience will be no more challenging than taking care of a small child. However, the two occupations are in fact worlds apart, and individuals are often surprised at the physical and emotional  toll that caregiving can take. Rather than attempting to manage the situation alone, caregivers need to seek outside support.

Do you have any more tips for our readers? Let us know by leaving a comment below or on our Caregiver Forum! 

We hope this was helpful. If you have any questions or if you know of a senior who could benefit from our vast array of home care services in Central Dallas, please call us at 972-239-3934 or email us. We work with most long term care insurance companies and have a staff or over 80 trained home care personnel covering the Dallas, Texas area.