Family Caregiving 101

Family Caregiving 101

Family caregivers typically spend four to five years caring for an aging relative. While gratifying, it can also be overwhelming. Pacing yourself for the long haul is part of the solution.

This issue of our newsletter outlines the top support strategies recommended by millions of family caregivers who have come before you. Take advantage of their insights.

Seek information, training, and support

  • Medical information and skills. Get a thorough and accurate diagnosis. Learn from the medical team about treatments. Ask what you can do at home. And explore online at credible websites. Nonprofits specializing in the disease are a good bet. For instance, the COPD Foundation or the Alzheimer's Association. The National Institutes of Health are a respected source. Also, the Mayo Clinic, Cleveland Clinic, and WebMD.
  • Guidance from a professional in the field of aging. Go to Eldercare.acl.gov for free information and referral to services anywhere in the United States. For more-robust help, hire a certified care manager or advocate. Look for someone who understands the biopsychosocial aspects of aging. A person who also has a deep knowledge of local and national resources, as well as the best providers.
  • Practical tips and support from other caregivers. Look to the professionals for medical advice. But join a caregiver support group for emotional support. You'll also get invaluable tips on coping with daily challenges. Caregiving is very isolating. It helps to know you are not alone.

Find help for physical tasks

  • Family and friends. They are the first to help, but they are not always available. Call a family meeting to strategize together.
  • Community programs. These deliver specific services for free or a nominal fee. For example, Meals on Wheels delivers free or low-cost meals once a day to homebound persons. Or there may be help with transportation. Look for a volunteer driver program offered by a faith organization or senior center. There are usually eligibility requirements.
  • Hired care. Paid help is the most reliable source of assistance. Especially for the time-consuming, hands-on tasks. But Medicare does not pay for this type of care. Home help is generally an out-of-pocket expense.

Are you a new family caregiver?

As the Charlotte Metro and Lake Norman experts in family caregiving, we at Caregiving Corner love to meet with family members early to help them get oriented so they can pace themselves for the long haul. Give us a call at 704.945.7170. Let's start the conversation.

要查看或添加评论,请登录

Jennifer Szakaly, MA, CMC, NMG的更多文章

  • How nutrition affects breathing

    How nutrition affects breathing

    Food and oxygen are the basic fuels that we need for the cells of our body to do their jobs. People with COPD have to…

    1 条评论
  • Pacing yourself

    Pacing yourself

    If you develop health problems—mental or physical—what happens to your loved one? Their well-being depends on yours. So…

    4 条评论
  • Financial/legal aspects of caregiving

    Financial/legal aspects of caregiving

    Look for financial support for caregiving Medicare doesn't pay for home care or other nonmedical support. You'll need…

  • Flying with oxygen

    Flying with oxygen

    If your relative needs medical oxygen, it's crucial that you plan ahead for plane travel. From oxygen requirements to…

    3 条评论
  • Curbing your perfectionism

    Curbing your perfectionism

    If you are a perfectionist, you may have noticed that your high standards often backfire. Despite your best intentions,…

    2 条评论
  • Affordable funerals

    Affordable funerals

    We are all vulnerable to an upsell when we want to honor a deceased family member. Fortunately, the Federal Trade…

  • Physical therapy and pain relief

    Physical therapy and pain relief

    Pain is no fun, whether in a knee, a neck, or elsewhere in the body. There are drugs that dull pain.

    2 条评论
  • What is hoarding?

    What is hoarding?

    Perhaps you wonder if your family member is a "hoarder." (You may even harbor secret fears about yourself!) We all have…

    2 条评论
  • Senior move managers

    Senior move managers

    Does your loved one need to downsize? Move? Does the prospect seem overwhelming? Perhaps not just physically, but…

    1 条评论
  • Frontotemporal dementia (FTD)

    Frontotemporal dementia (FTD)

    Frontotemporal dementia (FTD) is an umbrella term for a cluster of conditions that makes up about 10 percent of…

    1 条评论

社区洞察

其他会员也浏览了