Taking care of an elderly loved one is something you might do without thinking twice. When one of your parents becomes ill and needs more help, you might open your doors and let that individual move in right away. You probably don’t realize how hard this is or how much time it takes up though. With the right programs and professional help, you can care for a loved one and still get time for yourself.

Day Care

One way you can get more time for yourself is with a day care program. Designed for the elderly, these programs let you drop your loved one off in the morning and pick him or her up later in the day. The programs often feature activities such as games that guests can play. Workers will monitor your loved one and let you know about any problems they had or issues they noticed.

Travel Nurse

If you have an elderly person living with you who suffers from some serious medical problems, you can hire a travel nurse to stop by a few times a week. A travel nurse is a professional with a nursing license who works on a freelance basis and with multiple clients a week. The nurse can take vital signs and administer the medications that the individual needs. You can ask your loved one’s doctor for help choosing a travel nurse.

Home Health

Another way to get more time for yourself is with elder care assistance from a local company. Home health companies will send workers to your home who can look after your loved one anytime you need help. They can assist with daily living tasks such as washing the individual’s hair and helping him or her dress, but they can also prepare meals and just sit with your loved one while you get some work done around the house. Home health workers can even stay there while you run errands. With these programs and some professional help, you can care for a loved one and still have some time for yourself.