Get ready to train your newly recruited caregiving backup with essential skills to build confidence.  Consider these top 6 areas.  

• Comfort in physical contact: 

1. If there are any areas of injury, skin issues, tenderness issues: make these known
2. If your LO has preferences about contact make that clear

• Conversational skill and comfort with communications: 

1. asking the right questions and reading body language.  If there is a certain way that you ask your LO something or an answer that they typically give you in response to a question you ask, make note of that. 
2. Write down topics that your LO easily talks about, interests, TV shows, history 

• Bathroom confidence

1. Show by example then repeat with demonstration.  
2. Create a timed schedule of use of the bathroom while you are away
3. Have all areas accessible for different sized people

• Mobility confidence / transfers

1. Step by step approach with verbal prompts 
2. Maximize your LO participation
3. You can be the “test” case for them to practice on then repeat this with roles reversed so they can feel it
4. Make avoidance of injury the goal.  This is where injuries often occur ( shoulder, falls)

• Cooking or meal prep and meals

1. The Where, What, and How.  Don’t skip any details.  
2. What size are the bites? Do they cut their own?  Do they use special utensils? 
3. What snacks (again, where what, and how)
4. Drinks - make them aware of any risks for aspiration.  The obvious is sometimes not obvious to others.  Remember that liquid intake is usually a priority so don’t let them forget about this. 

• Exiting the home/car transfers

1. Exiting the home should be a priority in case of emergency.  Give them the easiest exit option.  
2. Car transfer should be a goal so they can go places if it is appropriate.

 Ready for change in your caregiving experience?  Be one of the select students in a small group coaching series that helps you design the lifestyle that focuses on your needs and maximizes your LO strengths and independence.   https://www.caregiverbydesign.com/waitlist

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If you need more help/support on your caregiving journey, you can find it over at https://www.caregiverbydesign.com/coaching
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