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How Can You Support A Caregiver You Know?
How can you support a caregiver you know? It's more challenging than you think because you will offer a part of yourself. Many caregivers, including me, don't ask for help. It's only when someone, a friend or relative, sees me so concerned I can't concentrate on what I am doing.
Case in point: I gave the wrong pills to my parents, and luckily, I caught it before Dad took Mom's. Dad's medication wasn't going to harm Mom, but one pill in Mom's pill cup would have sent Dad into a tailspin. Then, I shared this with a friend and my cousin. No help was offered, and I didn't ask for any. I was venting and feeling very poorly.
I did receive a respite when my brother came to town and took over the duties. I was at the hospital with Dad, and of course, Mom was with me. I felt like I did when I had an appointment and couldn't take the children. Mom had to sit outside the room when I went in because he was only allowed one person at a time the first day. My brother instructed me to fly home as scheduled, and he would take over. His wife stays with Mom, and he devotes his time to Dad.
My family was my support. As a long-distance caregiver all my friends had moved away.
In our chat room, a caregiver taking care of her husband had come across an article about supporting caregivers, and she said, "Finally, someone gets it." The article was called 5 Ways to Support a Caregiver in Your Life. It mentions that knowing someone who is a caregiver can help a person notice how challenging it can be.
* Be a good listener
* Take on some of the tasks
* Give them a break
* Research and share information
* Stay in touch often
There are more, but these stood out to us. In our chat room, we support each other, and although we can't physically do #2 or #3, we offer the advice of taking one hour a day and joining our chat for the break. Caregivers have to set aside some ME time, and if you find it difficult, as I did, set a goal for once or twice a week as a start. I couldn't join. The hour-long chat started. Mom went to bed, and I helped her get ready for bed, and we also went through our nightly ritual. The morning chat was more accessible three days out of the week because they ate breakfast during the chat. I could sit nearby and join the chat on my phone. Please read the article here: https://tinyurl.com/3axdafhj
This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit chatforcardgivers.substack.com/subscribe
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By "Chat for Caregivers: A safe, secure, and supportive space where experienced caregivers share their stories and provide emotional support in a warm and welcoming environment."How can you support a caregiver you know? It's more challenging than you think because you will offer a part of yourself. Many caregivers, including me, don't ask for help. It's only when someone, a friend or relative, sees me so concerned I can't concentrate on what I am doing.
Case in point: I gave the wrong pills to my parents, and luckily, I caught it before Dad took Mom's. Dad's medication wasn't going to harm Mom, but one pill in Mom's pill cup would have sent Dad into a tailspin. Then, I shared this with a friend and my cousin. No help was offered, and I didn't ask for any. I was venting and feeling very poorly.
I did receive a respite when my brother came to town and took over the duties. I was at the hospital with Dad, and of course, Mom was with me. I felt like I did when I had an appointment and couldn't take the children. Mom had to sit outside the room when I went in because he was only allowed one person at a time the first day. My brother instructed me to fly home as scheduled, and he would take over. His wife stays with Mom, and he devotes his time to Dad.
My family was my support. As a long-distance caregiver all my friends had moved away.
In our chat room, a caregiver taking care of her husband had come across an article about supporting caregivers, and she said, "Finally, someone gets it." The article was called 5 Ways to Support a Caregiver in Your Life. It mentions that knowing someone who is a caregiver can help a person notice how challenging it can be.
* Be a good listener
* Take on some of the tasks
* Give them a break
* Research and share information
* Stay in touch often
There are more, but these stood out to us. In our chat room, we support each other, and although we can't physically do #2 or #3, we offer the advice of taking one hour a day and joining our chat for the break. Caregivers have to set aside some ME time, and if you find it difficult, as I did, set a goal for once or twice a week as a start. I couldn't join. The hour-long chat started. Mom went to bed, and I helped her get ready for bed, and we also went through our nightly ritual. The morning chat was more accessible three days out of the week because they ate breakfast during the chat. I could sit nearby and join the chat on my phone. Please read the article here: https://tinyurl.com/3axdafhj
This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit chatforcardgivers.substack.com/subscribe