You’ve just gotten the call—your family member is going to need near full-time care, starting immediately. Whether you are a professional caregiver or not, this can be incredibly hard to hear and mentally prepare for.
No matter your walk of life, caregiving is a job like no other, and we are here to help you prepare. Keep reading to learn how to navigate your first few steps as a caregiver.
6 Critical Tips for New Caregivers
1. Build Their Confidence (And Your Own!)
Remember that your becoming a caregiver is not only new to you, but also the person you are planning to care for. This power change/transfer can be especially difficult if the individual you are caring for is your parent.
So, to start, work to build their confidence, either in their treatment plan, or their desire to age in place. Assure them that you are here to help them to be comfortable and to help them navigate their care with ease.
As their confidence grows, so too will yours. This process can take some time, in fact we fully expect it to take a few weeks, so don’t grow discouraged if your first few interactions are less than stellar.
2. Start Small
As a caretaker, it can be easy to begin taking control of your family member’s life, but you need to remember that they aren’t used to having you around to help take care of them. There will be an adjustment period for both of you, and we recommend you start small to keep both of you small.
For example, if they are struggling with mobility, don’t just jump in and assume every task that involves walking. Instead, ask them what tasks are the hardest for them, such as cleaning, taking out the trash, or cooking, and only take over those tasks for now.
Of course, as their age or condition progresses, the role you play in their caregiving will grow, but there is no need to push yourself into their life just yet.
3. Tell Them What You Can Do
A common pitfall caregivers fall into is “let me know what you want me to do,” which can leave the ill individual feeling overwhelmed. This blanket statement doesn’t give them any guidance as to what you are willing to do or can do, and can leave them feeling anxious.
Instead of offering general help, give them a list of what you can do and ask them which of the things on the list they want help with. Below is a sample list of things you can offer:
- Running errands (grocery store, post office, etc)
- Taking them to doctor’s appointments
- Making a medication calendar/reminder system
- Cleaning various rooms of the home
- Meal prep/cooking meals
- Driving them to social events
We recommend writing your list and then discussing it in person. This way, there is no confusion over what you are willing and able to do. Additionally, your charge doesn’t have to worry about crossing a line or asking too much. This is also a good time to discuss what you are not willing to do, just in case there is anything you won’t do.
4. Remember the Social Aspect of Caregiving
If you are providing terminal or end-of-life care, it’s important to recognize that you will, at some point, become your family member’s major social interaction each day. Although you might be overloaded with all the things you need to do for them, don’t forget to stop and talk with them on a regular basis.
We recommend setting aside some of your caregiving hours as social time. Maybe this time includes afternoon tea each day you are there, or a walk in the park. You may also want to suggest social events with other individuals, checking community centers for lists of activities your family member may enjoy.
Just because someone needs a caregiver doesn’t mean their life is over, and positive social interactions can go a long way toward keeping their spirits high during the caregiving process.
5. Take Care of Your Own Health
Caregiving can quickly overtake your life. But if you don’t take care of your own health, the health of the person you are caring for will also suffer. Thus, you need to approach caregiving with a plan for your own care at the same time.
For example, if one of your caregiving tasks includes grocery shopping for your family member, try to do your own shopping at the same time—just make sure to pay for them separately. This way, you address your own errands along with theirs.
Additionally, even if you are caregiving full time, ensure you have time for yourself—even if this means handing off your charge to a family member once per week or maybe even hiring a babysitter for a few hours so you can go get a massage. (Despite the name “babysitter,” there are sitters who are willing to sit with the disabled or elderly for a few hours while you take care of yourself just visit Care.com.)
No matter what you decide to do, remember to listen to your body. If you feel burnout coming, ensure you ask for help before it is too late. See our self-care tips for caregivers to learn more about this topic.
6. Stay Organized
Above all else, as you transition into a caregiver role, it is important to stay organized. The organization will look different for every caregiver—some prefer using technology, while others like a good old handwritten to-do list. Either way, decide how you will stay organized and commit to it.
Not only does organization help everything run more smoothly, but it also ensures that important things, like medications and doctor appointments, won’t be missed. Staying organized can also help you to know when you are overloaded and may need to ask for help and/or delegate tasks.
Personally, we recommend using a shared calendar, even if the person you are caring for can’t use it. This will allow you to share updates with their family members or yours, depending on who you are caring for. It will also ensure you don’t miss important events and allow you to set alarms and reminders as needed.
If you stay organized, and follow the other tips on this list, it won’t be long until you are well on your way to becoming a happy and healthy caregiver, no matter who you have been assigned to care for.
You May Also Enjoy: 7 Books to Help You Through Your Caregiving Journey
Leave a comment