Being a caregiver for your spouse requires a delicate balance. However, with proper support, you can maintain both your own well-being and a healthy relationship with your spouse.

The Challenges of Being a Spouse Caregiver

There’s no doubt that you love your spouse, but it’s important to be realistic about the challenges that come with spousal caregiving. When one person becomes the caregiver for the other, it changes the dynamic of the relationship. This shift can negatively affect the way a couple communicates and their emotional closeness.

Plus, there are mental and physical trials to consider. The demands of managing daily care, ensuring all needs of your spouse are met, and providing support for any health concerns can lead to burnout. This can result in neglecting self-care, leading to exhaustion, increased stress, and even physical ailments.

But don’t lose hope. There are plenty of resources available to help you properly care for your spouse without sacrificing your own mental, emotional, and physical health.

Support Options for Spousal Caregiving

You promised in sickness and in health, until death do you part. But that doesn’t mean you can’t hire someone to help! Being a full-time caregiver for your spouse is rewarding, but draining. Enlisting the support of others can make things easier. Options include:

• In-home caregiver assistance: Trained caregivers can assist with daily tasks such as personal care, housekeeping, and companionship, allowing you to focus on your own well-being. By hiring an in-home caregiver, you can ensure your loved one receives the high-quality care they need while also preserving your own health and peace of mind.
• Respite care: As a spouse caregiver, it’s easy to become absorbed in your loved one’s needs, often at the expense of your own. That’s why respite care is essential. Respite care provides temporary relief and gives you the opportunity to rest and recharge. Whether it’s for a few hours or a couple days, having a trusted professional step in can help prevent burnout.
• Support groups: Caring for a spouse can feel isolating, but joining a caregiver support group can offer both emotional and social support. These groups, whether in-person or online, connect you with others who understand the challenges of caregiving. Support groups also provide a safe space to express frustrations and gain practical tips for managing caregiving responsibilities.
• Professional counseling: Caregiving can take an emotional toll. A therapist or counselor can help you navigate the complex emotions that often arise with caregiving, such as stress, guilt, and anxiety. Therapy provides a nonjudgmental space to process your feelings and develop coping skills, which is important for your overall well-being and ability to care for your spouse.

Let Our Caregivers Help

CareBuilders at Home is a leading provider of companion care services. Offering a range of services, including personal, companion, and specialized care, brain health and fitness, and our cutting-edge virtual caregiver program, we work with you to create a care plan specific to your spouse’s needs. All of our care options are à la carte, allowing us to make adjustments as your spouse’s condition changes.

Whether you need help on an hourly basis or overnight, our dedicated caregivers can offer support. In some states, we even offer 24/7 live-in care.* To learn more about the ways we can provide assistance, contact us today, and we’ll be in touch.

*Not available in California.