DelMio Explorations

 Book Basics | Media Room | Related Reading | Your Page | DelMio in Person | Interactive

Care for the Caregiver
 

“There are only four types of people in this world …

• Those who have been caregivers

• Those who are currently caregivers          

• Those will be caregivers

• Those who will need a caregiver.”                                                                               

– Rosalyn Carter, former first lady
 
“I don’t have time to take care of myself.”

• Learn to recognize stress in yourself.

• Taking care of yourself will help make you a better caregiver.

 

Stages of caregiving

Stage 1: The expectant caregiver

 You have a growing concern that in the near future your loved one will need more and more assistance and time.

• This is the time to prepare and gather information (example: What are your loved one’s goals and feelings? Exploring financial support?)

• You may be gradually assuming tasks.

• Start to become familar with health status, medications and health care providers.

• Consider what is the worst that could happen and begin to think about options.

 

Stage 2: I am starting to help

Investigate what resources are available

• Center for Senior Health

• Area Agency on Aging

• Home Care

• Adult Day Care

• Disease-Specific Supports

• Support Groups

• Medication Management

• Mobile Meals

• Respite Care

 

Stage 3: I am helping

• You have been involved in providing care for a few years. Your involvement is almost daily or constant. Your day is structured to be available to your loved one.

• Sometimes your mood is upbeat with pride of care you provide; and sometimes you are sad – mourning for your loved one’s loss of abilities and function – and you are tired.

• Determine your limits.

• Plan to take regular breaks.

• Keep up with a support system – caregiver support groups or family and friends.

• Check with your doctor about screening for depression.

• Continue to learn about your loved one’s illness or condition.

• Take notes: Keep track of medications, information given, interventions for specific problems.

 

Stage 4: I’m still helping!

• You have been a caregiver for more than 5 years. You have been through it all – hospitalizations, rehab stays, nursing facility stays, use of community services.

• Find joy in caregiving activities.

• Work on forgiving past hurts.

• Make it a habit to enjoy shared activities.

 

Stage 5: My role is changing

• You have been a caregiver for a period of years and recently made a decision about your role as caregiver or your loved one has taken a turn for the worse and time is limited.

• Make this a time of loving and sharing feelings.

• Reflect back on your caregiving role with pride.

 

Stage 6: My caregiving has ended

• Treasure your memories.

• Implement lessons learned.

• Realize famiy members will look at you as a mentor and leader.
Signs of Caregiver Stress

• Denial: “I know mom is going to get better.”

•Anger with person, lack of cure.

•Social withdrawal from friends and activities that once brought pleasure.

• Anxiety about facing another day – what happens when I can’t manage?

• Depression: breaks spirit, depletes energy.

• Exhaustion

• Sleeplessness

• Irritability

• Lack of concentration

• Health problems

 Back to Summa Caregiver’s Kit