by danette on June 20, 2009
Today we had our first Caregiver workshop! It was a success! Our participants were women with varying degrees of involvement with caregiving. There was one participant who hasn’t even begun her caregiving odyssey, but she just wants to be prepared for when the time comes. Then there was another participant who has been a caregiver to her Mother for many years who is now in hospice. We also had women who were in between those two ends of the spectrum.
The workshop was enlightening and thought provoking to say the least! The questions that were asked, and the experiences and information shared left everyone having a better idea of what to expect as a caregiver to an aging or ill parent or relative.
Our participants left the workshop knowing that caregiving, although challenging, can also be very rewarding. By recognizing that it’s not about us, rather it’s about our loved ones and their journey, we are able to better focus on what’s truly important…assisting our loved ones through what can be a difficult and most uncertain time in their lives. It was absolutely my pleasure and an honor to share my personal caregiving story. You don’t have to become consumed by the process. It is my hope that I was able to show that with communication and advance preparation, caring for an aging/ill loved one can be both manageable and meaningful .
I welcome your comments…
D-
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by danette on April 16, 2009
Caregiving is an industry that has grown tremendously over the last few decades. Given advances in medical technology and the fact that people are living longer, it is quite possible that you or someone you know are taking care of, have taken care of, or will soon be taking care of an aging parent.
But who is taking care of the caregiver?
Caregivers must be mindful of their needs. There is no amount of preparation that can ready a person to care for their parents. It is safe to say that no one really plans to take care of a parent. Below are some practical tips I’d like to share to help make your caregiving odyssey more manageable:
1. Talk with your parents about their future care. You should know whether they want to age in place (at home) or be moved to an assisted living or nursing facility. Determine how they would like their finances to be handled when the time comes. As awkward as these conversations may be, they are necessary and best had long before there is a need for care.
2. Gather important documents. This is a crucial step and should be done when your parents are well and able to locate these documents. These are documents that you will need access to if and when your parents become unable to handle their own affairs. Examples of these documents are: wills & trusts, advance directives, power of attorney, life insurance policies, bank account information, medical records, birth certificates, marriage licenses, etc.
3. Research services in your parents community. Take the time to find out what services are available to your parents in their community. Whether it’s a senior center that offers daily programs and activities or a meals on wheels program. Check with the local Department of the Aging to see if there are any special services offered for seniors, i.e. home health aide, companion services, etc.
4. Organize, Organize, Organize. I can’t say this enough. Keep a master calendar that lists all of your parent’s appointments, doctors and otherwise. Also, keep a small notebook handy with you to make notes of conversations with doctors or billing agencies or to make reminders for yourself. Create a filing system for medical, insurance and other types of bills and statements. This way they’ll be easier to locate when you need to refer to them.
5. Have a contingency plan. If you and your parents live in different states, you should ensure that there is local support network to assist them when needed. If you and your parents live in the same state and they depend on you for care, what happens if you have to stay late at work, or you get a flat tire? You will need someone who can step in to assist when you’re not able to be there. Have a Plan B.
6. Care for the caregiver. Take time for yourself. Make sure you’re getting the proper amount of rest. Try to maintain a balanced and nutritious diet. Don’t forget to incorporate some physical exercise into your daily routine. Give yourself credit for all that you have accomplished. Realize that you’re only human and that it’s o.k. to ask for help. Having the assistance of others greatly reduces the stresses of caregiving on you.
Implementing these steps are sure to make the caregiving process more manageable. Remember, it is a process. Examine your role of caregiver. It’s your unique odyssey. Won’t you make the most of it?
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