If you’re wondering whether the term “caregiver” applies to you, it probably does. A caregiver is anyone who helps an aging, ill, or disabled family member or friend manage their day-to-day lives. It’s a demanding job that can combine routine tasks with life-changing decisions. Your caregiving responsibilities might include checking in on a loved one each day, driving to medical appointments, helping with meals, or settling legal and financial problems. The only thing you can know for sure about your role is that it’ll change as your loved one’s needs change.
Whether you expect to be a caregiver or not—and even if you’ve been doing it for years—it can feel overwhelming. As you scramble to make sure your loved one’s needs are met, your own well-being can easily get lost in the shuffle.
That’s where a Caregiver Support Group can help to meet others that are experiencing the same situations as you. The Isaacs Center will be starting a Caregiver Support Group beginning February 9, 2009 at 1pm in Room 3.
Tips for Family Caregivers
1. Caregiving is a job and respite is your earned right. Reward yourself with respite breaks often.
2. Watch out for signs of depression, and don’t delay in getting professional help when you need it. When people offer to help, accept the offer and suggest specific things they can do.
3. Educate yourself about your loved one’s condition and how to communicate effectively with doctors. There’s a difference between caring and doing.
4. Be open to technologies and ideas that promote your loved one’s independence.
5. Trust your instincts.
6. Most of the time they’ll lead you in the right direction. Caregivers often do a lot of lifting, pushing, and pulling.
7. Be good to your back.
8. Grieve for your losses, and then allow yourself to dream new dreams.
9. Seek support from other caregivers. There is great strength in knowing you are not alone.
10. Stand up for your rights as a caregiver and a citizen.
By Eduardo Sanchez
Isaacs Case Manager
Tags: Caregiver Support Group, Caregiver tips, Caregiving, connecting the senior community, Stanley M Isaacs Neighborhood Center
January 29, 2009 at 11:48 pm
Thanks for pointing out to folks who don’t think of themselves as “caregivers” that they are, indeed, caregivers. Great tips. I’m linking this post to Havertown Center’s blog here in Pennsylvania.