Hello, today I wanted to share 5 tips for the beginning caregiver. Most of these tips I personally learned as a caregiver for my mother-in-law, and as a Social Worker working with the elderly population and their family members.
Like myself, many of us are never truly prepared to be the primary caregiver for a love one, regardless of how much notice we are given. When that day arrives, many of us feel like a deer caught in headlights, shocked. Shocked at how unprepared we feel. These are just a few helpful tools that I have discovered, which help individuals and families navigate the process.
- The Plan: Who will help you care for your family member?
- Questions for Medical Providers: Do you have a list of your questions ready for your family member’s next medical appointment?
- Important Documents: Do you have all your family member’s important documents in one place like a Care Binder?
- Advance Directive/Living Wills: Does your family member have an
Advance directive/Living will prepared?
- Taking Care of Yourself: It is very important but often overlooked for the caregiver to take care of herself or himself.
Again, the above mentioned tips are just a few of the tips I have gained as a primary caregiver in my personal life and as a professional working with the elderly and their family members.
I look forward to discussing each of the above tips in more detail in my future post.
Helping Families Support Our Seniors,
Cynthia
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