Try: Realize that there will be many changes in the normal daily routine discuss all potential problems that may arise beforehand with your spouse who is assuming the role of cg try to lend support to your spouse but at the same time recognize that the increased caregiving load will affect your time together as the cg copes with the additional duties and stress of caregiving plan for and insist on private time together try to keep criticism to a minimum – remember your spouse is performing the role of cg out of love for a parent find areas where you can help lighten the load – maybe keeping track of appointments grocery shopping or taking cr for a drive in the country recognize when your spouse needs a break and encourage them to take it don’t let caregiver overload turn into marital or family problems keep all lines of communication open

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Categories: Caregiver Needs&Support

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

Try: Cg needs to keep all siblings informed and involved in some level of caregiving whether it would be making phone calls on a regular basis to Care recipient (cr) handling some of the legal or financial matters provide transportation or grocery shopping explain that unless they are willing to assist with any caregiving responsibilities they will need to accept your role as cg without offering criticism keep a daily journal and list all of the activities and duties you perform and all of the difficulties that the cr experiences in a day and also include any difficult behavior problems that you have to cope with and the solutions

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Categories: Caregiver Needs&Support, Communication

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

Try: Have a family meeting and include the prospective cr is possible before a crisis takes place and caregiving becomes an issue find out from the cr what their likes and dislikes are as to the different areas of their life; for example their daily routine eating habits socialization activities types of music television programs favorite shopping places discuss possible solutions is there a family member willing to take on the caregiving responsibilities if not then research area home care or adult day care options prices and the ability of the cr to pay for these services make sure all legal issues are covered as to a will living will durable power of attorney healthcare power of attorney and insurance make sure everyone who has an interest is involved in the communication make compromise an option make sure if you disagree do so without being disagreeable

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Categories: Caregiver Needs&Support, Communication

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

Try: The need to help and be useful is very important to the cr even though the skill level needed to be an actual help has diminished try to never refuse help from the cr this will make the cr feel unwanted and unneeded instead keep a helpful chore container in each room that you may need to be throughout the day doing housekeeping chores in the kitchen the container could even be a drawer that would contain different empty containers and lids that need sorted or put together plastic silverware could be sorted and put into a divided upright container in the dining room linen napkins could be folded and napkin rings could either be sorted or placed on the napkins in the bathroom washcloths can be folded or arranged on shelves decorative wrapped soaps could be sorted and put into dividers or baskets in the bedroom there could be a jewelry box filled with costume jewelry that needs to be detangled and sorted according to type or color in the living room a box of photos could be stacked or sorted and this could also provide added enjoyment by reminiscing outdoors small flowerpots could be stacked and sorted or there are usually always weeds that need pulled the objective should always be to promote the cr’s need to feel productive and useful

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Categories: Caregiver Needs&Support

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

Try: Try to realize and recognize that things will most likely never be the same otherwise it will just be trying to swim upstream all of the time let go of past expectations and concentrate on current abilities of the cr adapt and create new joyful moments out of old activities for instance dining in a fine restaurant with multiple silverware choices and a lot of time spent on waiting for different courses could be too confusing and challenging for the cr since the objective is just the dining try to find an environment that will accomplish the objective without causing the confusion a small family restaurant may fit the bill if the cr can still perform the task of dressing but comes out in mismatched clothing the cg needs to let go of the importance of outward appearances and concentrate on the satisfaction the cr gets by still being able to get dressed in the morning rearrange your reality to match that of the cr the cr can no longer adjust so it is up to you the cg to do the adjusting

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Categories: Caregiver Needs&Support

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

Try: Don’t set unrealistic expectations concerning your ability or the abilities of the Care recipient (cr) try to concentrate on the positive aspects and goals accomplished each day and not on the things that didn’t get done develop your own personal support team this should include people you can call to assist with various tasks and chores give emotional support by just letting you unbottle your frustrations help in an emergency when either you or the cg is incapacitated fill in as cg on a regular basis and give you break this will allow you to recharge your battery both physically and emotionally and allow you to take care of other responsibilities get involved in socialization and fun activities away from the cr seek outside help when needed don’t try to go it alone

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Categories: Caregiver Needs&Support, Emotional Psychological

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

Try: Learn to control your attitude how you look at each day and each challenge is your choice choose a positive attitude make happiness an essential part of your day find an enjoyable activity that you can fit into each and every day first love yourself and then you can give love to others have a support person that you can be yourself with make sure each day includes some down time for yourself even if it is just taking the time to have a quiet cup of coffee or tea don’t catch the attitudes of others – sometimes see grouchy turns into be grouchy give without expecting to receive

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Categories: Caregiver Needs&Support

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

Try: Learn to deal with rather than react to the criticism detach yourself from the situation you may be overly sensitive due to stress and fatigue try not to take the criticism personally usually family members are trying to find someone or something to blame because of their helplessness about the situation realize that no matter what you do or how well you do it you cannot please everyone – some people aren’t happy unless they are finding fault where no fault exists defend yourself and your actions without being defensive in other words don’t rise to the bait smile – smile – smile if criticizers are not actively participating in the care they shouldn’t actively criticize the care ask those who criticize to show you how it could be done better

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Categories: Caregiver Needs&Support

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Keywords: n/a

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

Try: Learn to deal with rather than react to the criticism detach yourself from the situation you may be overly sensitive due to stress and fatigue try not to take the criticism personally usually family members are trying to find someone or something to blame because of their helplessness about the situation realize that no matter what you do or how well you do it you cannot please everyone – some people aren’t happy unless they are finding fault where no fault exists defend yourself and your actions without being defensive in other words don’t rise to the bait smile – smile – smile if criticizers are not actively participating in the care they shouldn’t actively criticize the care ask those who criticize to show you how it could be done better

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Categories: Caregiver Needs&Support

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References: n/a

Keywords: n/a

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

Try: Caregiving is somewhat like running a marathon that has to be run everyday and you feel like it is your duty to smile while you are running and the effort will never get recognized acknowledged or appreciated by anyone but you be realistic about the changes and challenges you will face upon undertaking the job of caregiver develop a positive attitude realize that your life will undergo a big change you may experience a new normal weekly or sometimes daily with either the caregiving duties or the physical or emotional challenges of the Care recipient (cr) prepare for added stress don’t try to be supercaregiver realize that the job could be a very long term commitment your immediate family members husband wife and children may show resentment at having to share you with the cr

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Categories: Caregiver Needs&Support

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