Most family caregivers take up the role due to circumstances. Their parent or spouse falls ill or becomes injured, and they’re suddenly thrust into a position they may not have been prepared for. As a result, many caregivers have difficulty managing their caregiving duties. If you’ve just become a caregiver for your aging loved one, here are eight strategies sure to help you make it through this difficult time.
1. Don’t Forget to Breathe
Caregivers have many responsibilities. In between trips to the doctor and calls with insurance providers, remember to pause and take a few deep breaths. If you get too anxious, it may become difficult to provide effective care for your loved one.
Consider taking a break from your caregiving duties to relax and clear your mind. Whether your elderly loved one needs part-time assistance with basic household chores or you need a break from your caregiving duties, the Waterloo respite care experts at Home Care Assistance are here to help. All of our respite care services are backed with a 100% satisfaction guarantee, there are no hidden fees in our contracts, and we never ask our clients to sign long-term contracts.
2. Talk to Your Loved One
If possible, talk to your loved one about your plans for caregiving. He or she may have plans and preferences, and you should take them into consideration. Also, clearly establish your own limits, as failure to do so could lead to unrealistic expectations.
3. Learn Essential Caregiving Skills
New caregivers may need to learn new skills, depending on their loved one’s specific needs. For instance, caring for a loved one with dementia is different from caring for a diabetic senior. Common caregiver skills include managing medications, transferring seniors with limited mobility, and following standard safety precautions. There are many training resources available for new caregivers, ranging from videos to classes.
4. Establish Priorities
Many new caregivers have a difficult time prioritizing tasks. Create an organized plan of action where you list everything that needs to be done in order of importance, and determine a way to tackle each item on the list. Prioritizing early on can minimize stress in the long run.
5. Look into Local Services
New caregivers need all the help they can get. Research the services available in your community, including in-home care agencies, meal delivery, and adult day care.
Though you may be researching multiple home care agencies, Waterloo, ON, Home Care Assistance has much to offer your family and your elderly loved one. We are leaders in the senior home care industry, offering proprietary programs like our holistic Balanced Care Method and around-the-clock assistance from reliable, experienced caregivers. Trust in Home Care Assistance to help your loved one enjoy a happier and healthier life in the golden years.
6. Go Over Legal & Financial Documents
Poring over legal and financial documents isn’t fun, but you can’t establish long-term plans without understanding your loved one’s legal and financial situation. You may need to update or establish new legal documents, ranging from healthcare proxies to power of attorney.
7. Locate Important Personal Information
You need to be able to access your loved one’s information immediately, including health insurance, social security number, financial accounts, and driver’s license. Collect all of this information and store it in an easy-to-access location.
8. Get the Support You Need
Caregiving can be challenging, and without a strong support system it may feel impossible. Reach out to friends and family members, and ask whether they’d be willing to assist. Just because they aren’t the primary caregivers doesn’t mean they can’t make the occasional dinner, pick up prescriptions at the pharmacy, or pay for in-home care services.
Seniors can face a variety of age-related challenges. Though some families choose to take on the caregiving duties, there may come a time when they need a trusted Waterloo in-home care provider. Families sometimes need respite from their duties so they can focus on their other responsibilities, and some seniors need around-the-clock assistance that their families are not able to provide. Home Care Assistance is here to help. Whether you need a break from your caregiving duties or your loved one needs specialized care, call us at (519) 954-2111 today.