Folks from all walks of life can be faced with becoming caregivers. It can be an intimidating role unlike any other, and comes with new responsibilities. From arranging for medical care to maintaining day to day health and comfort for your loved one, it can feel like the tasks of a caregiver never end. Fortunately there are some ways you can simplify and streamline your new role, making it easier to be a caregiver and provide even more for your loved one.
Ask questions!
The more you know, the better you’ll be at making the right decisions quickly and efficiently as needed, and the more you’ll be able to advocate for your loved one. Make sure you are fully informed by your doctor, financial advisors, therapists, insurance agents, and more. The more questions you ask, the more you’ll know details about your loved one’s conditions, medication, and different possibilities for care. Knowledge is power, and questions are the best way to learn.
Be flexible!
Caregiving isn’t something rigid and defined. It’s a fluid as your loved one’s moods, goals, health, and day to day life. While it’s important to keep track of appointments and medication timing in a calendar, keeping a flexible attitude will help a lot. For example, becoming a caregiver means learning many new skills, and how to interact with your loved one in a whole new way. How can you put your skills and abilities to work for that person? It may mean adjusting your schedule to include regular visits to your loved one’s retirement community, reorganizing your house to accommodate in-home care, or changing up your loved one’s diet and routine. By modeling flexibility yourself, you and your loved one can both adjust more easily to the new normal.