Accepting Help from Family and Friends

It sounded like a great idea initially. You would be the primary caregiver of your loved one or parent. You knew it would be a lot of work, but you also knew that you were a strong person and could handle it. Then, life got in the way. It is OK to accept that you are not capable of doing everything without a little help from others, whether it is asking for financial help or running errands. As a caregiver, your primary concern is your loved one’s well-being. If that means accepting help from family and friends in order to provide the best care for your loved one, then do not be ashamed.

Accepting help from others caring for your loved one does not show a sign of weakness. It shows that you are strong enough to admit you are not capable of doing it all. Start with small tasks. Ask your relatives to run to the grocery store or pharmacy to buy supplies for your parent. Ask your siblings to pitch in with the financial costs of caring for your parent.  Accept offers from friends and neighbors to help with cleaning up the house and doing laundry. When someone offers help, do not be afraid to accept. They would not offer unless they meant it.

If you notice your family is not offering help to care for your parent, ask everyone to sit down to discuss how to handle the tasks and finances. Some people in your life may not realize you are in need of some help. Rather than stress, just ask.

Accepting help from family and friends may feel like you are giving up, but it just means you are a strong individual who knows when it is time to ask. Never feel ashamed or that you are admitting defeat. It takes a strong person to admit when help is needed rather than a person who continues to struggle with day to day tasks. If you need professional help, AuthoraCare has an interdisciplinary team of staff who can help you care for your loved one.

For more information, please call 336.621.2500 or visit our caregiver resources page.