Taking Care of the Caregiver
A caregiver is anyone who provides physical and/or emotional care for an ill or disabled person. Usually they are spouses, adult children, or close family friends who provide care on a daily basis, often 24 hours a day, for an ill or disabled loved one that is living at home. They are referred to as primary caregivers.
If You are a Primary Caregiver - You Are Not Alone
Caregiving is a challenging role, and primary caregivers should not try to do it all themselves. It is important to reach out and develop partnerships with a wide array of people who can help – family members, friends, healthcare and home care professionals are a good place to start. Other sources of partners include:
- local Parkinson's disease support groups;
- your church, synagogue, or mosque;
- a psychologist, social worker, or therapist;
- internet chat rooms with other caregivers;
- national caregiver organizations, such as the American Parkinson's Diseasse Association (APDA)
A Caregiver's Action Plan Can Help
The role of primary caregiver can be overwhelming at times, especially when you try to handle all of the responsibilities by yourself. In many cases, it is not possible for one person to perform all of the duties required. Having a written action plan can help you gain a sense of control when the challenges of caring for a chronically ill or disabled loved one become overwhelming.
Here is a five-step guide to creating a Caregiver's Action Plan:
- Determine the needs of your loved one. List all of the activities that must be done for them to be properly cared for, being as specific as possible.
- Decide which of those needs you can or prefer to meet on your own. Assess your capabilities and resources, and list the caregiving responsibilities that you can reasonably handle on your own.
- Determine which needs can or must be met by others. Learning to ask for help is vital skill for all primary caregivers. At first, you may feel the desire to do everything on their own and not burden others, but that quickly leads to a condition known as burnout. List which responsibilities can be shared.
- Identify family and friends who can be relied on to help. Make a list of their names, phone numbers, special skills, and the times and days of the week that they are most available. Forms of help are endless and include: assisting with insurance or legal matters, cleaning, running errands, cooking meals, and providing respite care. Respite care refers to obtaining help or companionship for your loved one so that you can leave the home and have time for socializing and other personal interests.
You may find that professional services are needed, such as transportation or in-home nursing care assistance. Many caregivers need help performing certain medical procedures or other care functions, and there are times when your loved one will prefer professional assistance to maintain their sense of privacy and dignity. It is important to be sensitive to these issues and seek appropriate assistance from qualified care providers. Make a list of community resources that you may want to contact now or at some point in the future.
