Tips for Carregivers it also available as a .pdf
Caregiving is a fundamental aspect of family and community life, but it can be challenging. It can create physical, emotional and financial strains on a caregiver. Studies show that caregivers who experience stress and burden are more likely to "burn-out" or give up on their daily caregiving responsibilities. They look for alternatives - frequently placing their loved one in a nursing home. Research also shows that caregivers need to take care of themselves first so they can remain healthy and able to continue their caregivng roles.
Caregivers help others with everyday tasks, ranging from grocery shopping or driving someone to a medical appointment to taking care of someone 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Caregivers are husbands, wives, partners, daughters, sons, other relatives, friends, neighbors, a grandparent caring for a grandchild, parents caring for a child with special needs, a teenager helping his parents care for his grandfather, and others. Recognize yourself as a caregiver and then take time to care for yourself.
If you have ever been on an airplane, the crew has instructed you-in case of an emergency-to put on your oxygen mask before helping others. The same logic applies in caregiving-you can only help someone else if you are well enough to do so. You need rest, proper nutrition exercise and socialization.
Schedule time for yourself and do what works for you! Find out about respite services in your area. These services provide you with a temporary break from you caregiving role. You can then devote time to yourself while your loved one is cared for by someone else, for example a trained person in your home or in an adult day care setting.
It is vital for you to take some time away so you don't become overwhelmed. Even taking a short break can help restore and renew your spirit. Taking a break may require some planning so that you can feel secure and comfortable while you're away. Do something you enjoy and as you become more comfortable you can increase the length of your outside activities. Allow yourself time to focus on you and your needs. Here are a few helpful tips:
Caregiving can make you feel lonely and isolated, yet other caregivers face the same issues and experience the same emotions as you. Talking to other caregivers or a caregiver counselor is one way for you to relieve stress and feelings of helplessness. However, when you are a caregiver, finding time for positive, nurturing interactions with others might seem impossible. Without such interaction, you may not have the mental strength to deal with all of the emotions you experience as a caregiver, including guilt and anger. Once you realize how good it feels to be able to talk with others that understand what you are going through, you will wonder why you had not sought out others like yourself earlier. Here are some ideas about finding others.
Know what works for you in terms of reducing stress and take action. Take a walk, go to dinner with a friend, talk to someone. Know the signs and symptoms of depression and seek medical attention if needed. Symptoms of depression include feeling down or hopeless, little interest in doing things previously enjoyed, sleep disturbances, fatigue/lack of energy, appetite changes, feelings of worthlessness or excessive guilt, difficulty concentrating, slowed movement, recurrent preoccupation with death or suicidal thoughts. Don't ignore depression or wait for it to go away by itself.
In addition to looking out for your own needs, there are two main ways you can help others who are depressed: provide emotional support and help them get the treatment they need. The following basic guidelines will help.
Training provided directly by community based organizations or on-line can make your caregiving role easier. If a group session is not for you, ask about an individual session or go to your library and check out caregiving books and videos. There is training for everyone such as "Day-to-Day Homecare," "Tips for the Late-Blooming Handywoman," "Men Making Meals," stress reduction, Alzheimer's disease and other health issues, legal issues or benefits for your family. You can also learn skills and receive practical tips such as how to safely move a person from a bed to a wheelchair, how to make adjustments for someone with diminishing sight, or how to deal with grief or loss and end of life issues. Call your County Office for the Aging, Alzheimer's Association, Co-operative Extension, local college, Red Cross, Hospice, or faith-based group to find out about training program in your area.
It's okay to ask for, and accept, help. However, for some, asking for help can often be a difficult even awkward thing to do. Many caregivers avoid asking for help and try to do everything themselves which leads to physical and emotional burn out. If someone-a relative, friend or neighbor-offers to lend you a hand, say "yes, thank you!" You may find that once you take the first step and ask for help it's much easier then you thought. Keep a list of friends and family you can ask for help and what specific skills and help they can offer. On-line resources such as Lotsa Helping Hands, Share the Care and Caring Bridge can help you to manage and arrange for help from family and friends.
You can start by asking for help with a small task such as asking the person to spend time with your parent or loved one or provide a meal. Once they have developed a relationship with your parent or loved one you might find that they are able to assist with other things such as transportation to an appointment.
The most important thing to remember is it's o.k. to ask for help.
Knowledge is power. Similar to training, you can educate yourself in a variety of ways that will benefit you and your family. Caregiving can start with minimal support and grow to 24 hours a day/7 days a week. Knowing what to expect as your caregiving role and the needs of your loved one can change over time can prepare you for what may lie ahead. Talk to your loved one's health care provider about their illness or disease/frailty, search on-line for information, talk to a staff person at your County Office for the Aging. Some helpful on-line resources include the Alzheimer Association's CareFinder, AARP's Prepare to Care, the National Alliance for Caregiving 101.
Contact your local office for the aging to talk to someone and to learn about services in your area that can help you. Call the NYSOFA Senior citizen's Helpline at 1-800-342-9871.
