Maybe you’ve been thrust into the role of caregiver abruptly. Your aging loved one has suffered a sudden illness and he or she now obviously needs a lot of help.
More likely it’s been a gradual process with few clear dividing lines defining when you really become a caregiver. What began as providing a little extra help has, over time, become a greater responsibility – both in time and caregiving activities. So when is it time to start taking more control over your aging parents’ life, and to start taking control away? And how will your new responsibilities caring for someone else affect you – possibly for the rest of your life?
If you have kids, you likely remember the charts in the baby books that lay out the clear milestones as to what to expect as they grow. Unfortunately, it’s not so clear-cut with caregiving for an older person. Things change slowly or rapidly. Every caregiving case is different and it’s hard to know how to prepare. Still, to start you off, here are a half-dozen general tips from FirstLight of Olympia for new caregivers. They won’t answer all your questions, but they may help point you in the right direction.
- Begin the caregiving conversation early. Ideally, you should talk to your loved ones about their care long before they really need it. For instance, adult children might want to start talking to their parents about caregiving when they reach age 70, even if they’re healthy. Find out what they would like to happen if they got sick. Would they want home care? To move in with you? To live on their own in an independent living community? It may not be an easy conversation. It’s tempting to put it off. But it’s better to start talking about these issues now instead of waiting until there’s a crisis.
- Look for caregivers guidance. When you become a caregiver, you suddenly have a million questions. How are you supposed to take care of another adult? What should he be eating? Can she still drive? Get some answers. The Family Learning Center from FirstLight Home Care is a FREE online resource for family caregivers who provide home care for friends or loved ones. Created exclusively for family caregivers, the site includes interactive and engaging courses, videos and tip sheets on over 50 training topics, covering everything from basic caregiver training to Alzheimer’s disease and memory care.
- Get caregiver support. As soon as you can, connect with other caregivers. Support groups for caregivers in Olympia are a great way to exchange tips and advice. Support groups also offer a way for you to express your concerns and get backup for some of the hard decisions you’ll have to make along the way. Ask at the doctor’s office or at a hospital about community support groups. Or get in touch with a caregiving organization.
- Find help. Don’t wait until you’re completely overwhelmed with caregiving to ask for help. Start talking to other family members and friends about ways that they can share in caregiving, both now and in the future. Also, contact FirstLight Home Care – South Sound in Olympia about Respite Care services. Respite care allows you to run errands, tend to other family obligations or just take a break. Or if you get sick, our trained, compassionate caregivers can fill in while you get well. The respite could be for a couple of hours, an entire day, overnight, or a vacation for a few days. Call us at (360) 489-1621 to learn more.
- Consider the legal and financial implications. Start thinking about some of the difficult legal and financial issues you may face as a caregiver. If your loved one goes into a nursing home, how will they afford it? Would you sell the house? How does power of attorney work? Does your loved one have a will? Tackling these issues can be upsetting. But it’s best to know the details so you’re not taken by surprise. Talk to a geriatric care manager, a social worker, an elder law attorney, or get in touch with a caregivers’ organization.
- Do some research. Some organizations that can provide information or assistance on caregiving include:
• Administration on Aging
• Lewis-Mason-Thurston Area Agency on Aging
• AARP
• Family Caregiver Alliance
• Thurston County Senior Action Network
If you’re new to caregiving, it’s normal and understandable to be apprehensive and worried right now. You could already feel swamped by everything you have to do. Just remember that while caregiving is tough, it has rewards, too. And with a little time and experience – and help from others – you’ll get the hang of it. To learn more about home care and caregiver services, contact us at FirstLight of Olympia today.
Source: WebMD