Are You a Caregiver?
When asked about the meaning of caregiving, we often think of one-on-one, hands-on, health care, and personal care. Many of us are caregivers and don’t identify as one. We may help a family member or friend who has had some health changes, and because we care about that person, it comes naturally.
My definition of caregiving is “helping someone with a task that they were once able to do for themselves in the past.” Giving a friend a ride to church or the doctor, shoveling a neighbor’s sidewalk, helping mom write out her monthly bills, and organizing dad’s medications are examples of caregiving.
Overtime, the demands and tasks can become greater, and this can make us caregivers become stressed, irritable, and overwhelmed. Juggling caregiving responsibilities, along with other life stresses, and taking care of one’s own family, can be too much to handle.
Since people are living longer, the duration of caregiving roles are becoming longer, from years to decades. Depression, anxiety, exhaustion, anger, alcohol or substance abuse, and physical decline are common among caregivers.
5 things to consider, and may help with caregiving: **
1. Start with the diagnosis and learn as much as you can about the person you are caring for and their disease process. It may be difficult emotionally to learn about what are often degenerative disorders and injuries, but overall, knowledge is power.
2. Find out about their financial resources and health care wishes. Become their Power of Attorney if appropriate.
3. Consider inviting other family and close friends in to the caregiving situation. Divide up tasks, and make a calendar or schedule.
4. Take advantage of community resources like Meals on Wheels or adult day programs.
5. Find support. Talk to friends–chances are, they too are caring for a friend or relative. Share stories. Attend a support group.
**information from the Family Caregiver Alliance 2009
For more information on caregiver support and resources like the ones mentioned above, please call me.
Krystal Wiebusch, LSW
