How can a caregiver provide the best care for a loved one? Here, in no particular order, are my top 10 tips for family caregivers to remember:
Schedule personal respite time. Allow yourself to take a break from your caregiving responsibilities. Doing this is not selfish. You will return more relaxed and become a better caregiver for doing so.
Learn about your loved one's health condition. With knowing the symptoms and the prognosis, you can better communicate with presiding health care professionals.
Look after your own health. Rest, eat well and visit your own doctor on a regular basis. On a related note, watch how you move, turn and lift as a caregiver. Be gentle to your back.
Accept outside offers of help. When someone within your social circle is willing to help, be gracious and recognize that.
Delegate others to help. Reach out to family members, friends, senior's support services and so on to relieve you of assuming all the responsibilities yourself.
Trust your instincts. That little voice inside of you is, more often than not, correct.
Advocate for your loved one. When your parent can no longer speak for him/herself, it is your job as a caregiver to protect his/her individual rights.
Seek support from other caregivers. Take comfort and learn from other caregivers who have walked in these same shoes. Join a community support group or seek out an option on-line.
Allow ample time to grieve. Grieving is a personal process - no one can tell you how best to grieve nor how long this may take. Understand that grieving may occur at different stages of aging and/or decline.
Keep yourself balanced and organized. Caregivers typically have to juggle their own careers, family lives and outside interests while providing care. Know where the important information can be found, retain business cards of caregiving contats and photocopy the vital paperwork.
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