Becoming a competent caregiver doesn’t happen in an instant. It takes time, patience, and a lot of effort to be up to the task. Being a caregiver also means managing the stress that all care providers inevitably face, and taking care of your own physical and mental health.
We all want to take better care of our loved ones, and we are looking for ways to improve ourselves as caregivers. With these tips, you will be able to help your seniors and make them feel more comfortable.
Learn What the Problem Is
Study your senior’s condition. Find out everything about it, what the symptoms are and how to treat them. Begin your research on the internet and then ask doctors for their opinion.
List all medications a person with that condition can take and the main side effects. Make sure you are always well prepared, and nothing can surprise you.
Have Patience
Always show understanding and compassion. It is difficult to be weak and depend on someone after you had been independent for your entire life. They don’t like the position they are currently in, so the whole situation is as stressful to them as it is to you.
If they are diagnosed with Alzheimer’s they may ask the same questions every now and again. In that case, learn how to respond when seniors with dementia repeat themselves.
Connect With Other Caregivers
Learning about the experience of other care providers will certainly make you a better caregiver. Find local nonprofit organizations and associations and get in touch with them. Look for caregiver support groups on the web and apply to attend meetings. Share your experience with others and ask them when you have issues you can’t resolve on your own.
These meetings won’t help you only to improve yourself as a caregiver, but they also serve as an emotional vent. It is much easier when you talk to people about the problems bothering you, especially to people who understand what you are going through.
Develop a Routine
Once you determine a routine in your daily life, caregiving will be less chaotic and much easier. Getting dressed, feeding, bathing, and exercising should be done around the same time every day. This way you decrease the chances of forgetting something, and your loved one always knows what happens next.
Take Care of Yourself
The stress and anxiety that come with caregiving happen quite often. Some care providers also develop certain symptoms of depression and show signs of loneliness.
Don’t neglect your feelings and needs. You won’t do any good to yourself or your loved one if you don’t take proper care of yourself. Take a walk, see a movie, go on vacations, read a book… Do anything that keeps you happy.
You can always find time for yourself, at least a couple of times a week. To take better care of others, you must take decent care of your mental and physical health. How do you plan to help your seniors if you get sick? Think about it before it gets too late.
If you want to take several days off and go on a vacation, do it! Ask a family member to replace you, or go to a homecare agency. They certainly provide respite care services for family caregivers when they are taking a break.
To improve yourself as a caregiver, you need to learn as much as possible about the condition. The best way is to talk to doctors and connect with other care providers. Maintaining a routine will help you get through each day and never forget about your own needs and desires.
Images Source: http://unsplash.com
