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​Care For Caregivers

The Best Advice I Can Give 

 

Make the decision yourself and with family early, of where to go when being at home is no longer feasible. Ideally, move before your need to so you and staff can get to know one another and your support system does not get worn out.

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Put Your Own Oxygen Mask On First

 

  • If the caregiver is wiped out there is no caregiving.

  • The overwhelming part of care-giving sneaks up as more is required.

  • Caregiving starts as “just helping out” and may end as all-consuming total care.

  • The care giver gradually loses more and more of themselves as they become totally immersed in the life of the person needing care.  Without reprieve or assistance the caregiver will become incapacitated themselves.

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There is an insightful TED talk by Dr. Fran Lewis how to help the caregiver survive by taking 10 minutes a day for themselves.  It seems so little yet means so much in reinvigorating the caregiver’s resolve and survive..

 

When One Is Not Enough

 

Over time the person providing 100% of the care will need help!!!  Help can be in the form of respite care, companionship, or someone to provide care,  buy groceries, or spend the night so the caregiver can sleep.  

 

Sooner is Better

 

Despite the natural inclination of wanting to do things alone, independently and autonomously the best advice would be to get help sooner rather than later.  The sooner help is available the sooner they can provide help, get to know and be known by a client, and become “part of the family”.  

 

For a client, the sooner they become familiar with a caregiver or even placement, the better.  Likewise, the sooner caregivers get to know the client the better they get to know them prior to loss of further ability.

 

Where is the help?

  • Ask a friend to help with a specific tasks.  Don’t assume anyone knows when and what you need.

  • Contact Senior Resource Centers, Aging & Disability Resource Centers and DSHS within a state for further help.

  • The Community Options Program Entry System (COPES) program provides help for people in their homes so they won't have to go into a nursing home. Clients may pay a portion of the cost of services, based on their income. State and federal funds provide the balance of the money.

  • On Internet get information on how to become paid caregiver for a Medicaid client.

  • Hiring private caregiver will cost $35-45/hour

  • Placement in a care facility may be a consideration

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