The site care.com offers parents the ability to find caregivers, tutors, and nannies in their area, but many people aren’t aware of services offered for adults and special needs children. Caregivers on care.com are available to provide care for adults who require assistance such as those who are elderly or who require assistance with daily activities. There are also providers on the site that are able to help with children who require special assistance, including children who have mobility concerns or those who are unable to care for themselves even at an older age.
The term “caregiver” brings to mind a person who is caring for an older person with Alzheimer’s disease or a similar condition, but the word applies equally to anyone who provides care for another person who needs assistance. This can be an ill or disabled husband or wife, a child with a disability, or an elderly relative. There are more than 65 million Americans who serve as caregivers for another person, and the demands of providing care for another person can lead to both physical and emotional stress. For many caregivers, finding and accepting help can be a difficult step, but it is one of the most important things you can do to take care of yourself and your loved one. That’s where care.com can help.
If you have been a caregiver for any length of time, it is natural to feel “burned out” or even begin to resent the fact that you are not able to go places or spend time with other people as easily as you once did. One way to relieve this stress is to give yourself an occasional evening – or even a couple of days – off. Care providers on care.com can do more than mind a toddler for a few hours. As you read about the different providers on care.com, you will see that many are certified to care for individuals with a variety of special needs, whether you simply want an afternoon off or you want to get away for the weekend, using a care.com provider can give you the break you need.
There are a few things you will need to keep in mind as you select from care providers on care.com. First, you should carefully read reviews left by others who have used a particular provider to find out if the provider has cared for individuals with similar needs as your loved one. Next, take advantage of the background check that care.com provides- you can easily find out if the provider you are considering has any past issues that you should be aware of. Finally, interview each provider to decide which one would be best suited to provide care for your family member. You should include your family member in the process, if possible, to ensure that they too are comfortable with the care provider.
Accepting help from a care.com provider is a big step- but it can also be one of the best things you can do for yourself. Caring for a loved one with special needs is the biggest job you will ever do, and you shouldn’t have to do it alone. Care.com can help you find a provider that will give you the time you need to recharge and return to caring in a more relaxed state of mind which is good for you and your loved one.