Try: Seek information check your public library for books articles brochures videotapes and films on caregiving some hospitals and adult education centers offer courses on caregiving and additional information on resources that you can turn to for help help is available join a caregiver support group in addition to offering useful information such groups provide a unique forum for caregivers to come together and share their feelings in a supportive environment groups help caregivers feel less isolated and can create strong bonds of mutual help and friendship participating in a support group can help mange stress exchange experiences and improve skills as a caregiver sharing coping strategies in a group setting lets you help others while helping yourself it may also help you to realize that some problems have no solutions and that accepting the situation is reality set realistic goals caregiving is probably one of the many conflicting demands on your time it is important to set realistic goals recognize what you can and cannot do define your priorities and act accordingly turn to other people for help – your family friends and neighbors prepare a list of tasks for anyone who may offer assistance the list may include running an errand for you preparing a meal taking your carereceiver for a ride taking our children after school one day practice good communication skills do not expect that others will ask if you need help it is up to you to do the asking communicate with your family and friends turning to family members or friends for emotional support and help can be a mixed blessing their visits may make you feel less alone and better able to deal with caregiving responsibilities they can give you a break by spending time with your care receiver however other relatives or friends can be critical of the way you provide care they may feel the house is not kept clean enough; or they may not like the way your carereceiver is dressed recognize that they are responding to what they see at that time and are lacking the benefit of experiencing the whole picture and any gradual changes in your care receiver receiver’s condition harsh criticism may be a response to their own guilt about not participating more in the care process try to listen politely to what is being said even though this might not be easy however if you and your care receiver feel comfortable with the way you are managing the situation continue to do what meets your needs schedule a family meeting from time to time to help other family members understand the situation and to involve them in sharing the responsibilities for caregiving use community resources investigate community resources that might be helpful consider using in-home services or adult day care employ a homemaker to cook and clean or an aide to help your care receiver bathe eat dress use the bathroom or get around the house use respite care services when you need a break from providing care to your carereceiver look at respite care for example a companion can stay with your carereceiver for a few hours at a time on a regular basis to give you time off or have your care receiver participate in an adult daycare program where he or she can socialize with peers in a supervised setting; this gives your care receiver a necessary break from staying home all the time hospitals nursing homes and particularly residential care homes offer families the opportunity to place older relatives in their facilities for short stays the area agency on aging can assist with arrangements information references "caregiver’s handbook" by the caregiver education and support services seniors counseling and training case management services of the san diego county mental health services no date available at www acsu buffalo edu

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Categories: Sage, Topic, Caregiver Needs&Support, Communication, Emotional Psychological, Personal

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Keywords: Care giving care giver stress burn out respite services community resources help with care giving asking for help communication

*This information is listed as a Fact Sheet and is not explicitly medically licensed