Home care provides help and support for caregivers

As a caregiver, you face many responsibilities. But with the right tools and support, you can overcome the challenges and make caregiving better – for you and the people you care for.

What is home care?

Home care is the practice of providing care in the home for a family member, friend, or other loved one with a physical or mental health condition. With increasing life expectancy, advances in medical technology, and the growing number of people with chronic illnesses and disabilities, many of us find ourselves unable to care for our loved ones at home.

Whether you are caring for an aging parent, a disabled spouse, or a sick child, caring for a family member in need is an act of kindness, love, and loyalty. Every day, you provide care and attention to your loved ones, making their lives better, even if you can’t express your gratitude.

Regardless of your specific situation, being a caregiver is a difficult job, and one you may not have been trained to do. Like many caregivers, you probably never thought it would be. However, you don’t have to be a care professional, a hero, or a saint to be a great caregiver.

With the right help and support, you can provide effective and compassionate care without sacrificing yourself in the process. It can make home care a much better experience.

Are you new to the world of home care?

If you’re caring for a family member for the first time, here are some ways to start your journey as a caregiver with a positive outlook:

Learn all you can about your family member’s illness or disability and how to care for them. The more you know, the more anxious you will be about your new role and how you can be more effective.

Find other caregivers. It helps to know that you are not alone. It is good to give and receive support from people who can understand what you are going through.

Trust your instincts. Remember that you know your family best. Don’t ignore what doctors and professionals tell you, but also listen to your gut.

Encourage your loved one to be independent. Caregiving doesn’t mean doing everything for your loved one. Be open to technology and strategies that allow your family to be as independent as possible.

Know your limits. Understand your time and energy. Set boundaries and communicate them to your doctors, family members, and other stakeholders.

Tips for Caregivers

As a caregiver caring for a sick parent, child, spouse, or other loved one, you may be faced with many new responsibilities, many of which are unfamiliar or intimidating. You may feel overwhelmed and lonely at times.

These tips can help you get the support you need while caring for your loved one in a way that benefits both of you.

Tip 1: Accept Your Feelings

Caregiving can bring up a variety of emotions that can be overwhelming, including anger, fear, hurt, guilt, helplessness, and sadness.

It is important to acknowledge and accept your feelings, good or bad. Don’t beat yourself up for doubt and self-doubt. Having these feelings doesn’t mean you don’t love your family, it just means you are human.

How you might feel if you get involved in family matters

• Anxiety and worry. You may worry about how you will handle other caregiving responsibilities or how your family will cope if something happens to you. You may also worry about the future and how your loved one’s condition will develop.

• Anger or rage. You may feel angry or resentful toward your loved one, even if you know it’s not right. Or you may feel angry at the world in general, or at friends or family members who don’t share your responsibility.

• Blame. You may feel guilty about being a “better” caregiver, being more patient, or accepting of your situation. When it comes to telecare, you may feel guilty about not being able to provide consistent care.

• Duel. Caregiving can involve many losses (for example, the bright future you envisioned with your spouse or children, or the goals and dreams you have to give up). When a loved one is terminally ill, you too experience grief.

Even if you understand why you feel the way you do, it can still be painful. But don't suppress your emotions, express them.

Let's go find them. Find at least one person you can trust and confide in, someone who will listen to you without judging or judging you.

Tip 2: Ask your caregiver for support

Even if you are the one caring for your family, it is not possible to do everything yourself. This is especially true if you are telecare (more than an hour away from your family).

You will need help from friends, siblings, and other family members, as well as health professionals. If you do not have the support you need, you can quickly burn out, which can compromise your ability to care.

But before you ask for help, you need to fully understand your family’s needs.

• Take the time to list all the necessary caregiving tasks, being as specific as possible.

• Then identify the activities you can do (being realistic about your abilities and the time you have available).

• The remaining tasks on this list are tasks that you will need to ask others to help you complete.

Ask family and friends for help.

Even if you need help, it is not always easy to ask for it. Perhaps you are afraid to impose your needs on others, or you feel that your requests will be opposed or rejected.

But if you simply state your needs, you may be surprised to find that others are willing to help. Friends and family often want to help but don’t know how.

• Take time to talk to your friends or family.

• Review your list of care needs.

• Identify areas where your skills can help (for example, your brother is good at online research or your friend is a financial expert).

• Ask the person if they are willing to help and, if so, how.

• Make sure this person understands what is best for you and the patient.

Here are some other places you can go for help:

• Churches, temples, or other places of worship.

• A caregiver support group at your local hospital or online.

• A therapist, social worker, or counselor.

• A national health organization.

• An organization that deals with your family member’s illness or disability (such as the Alzheimer’s Association)

Tip 3: Build a strong connection with your loved one

World-renowned cellist Pablo Casals once said, “The ability to care is what gives life its meaning.” It is both meaningful and fulfilling.

By being calm and relaxed, and taking time each day to truly connect with those you love, you can release hormones that improve your mood, reduce stress, and trigger life changes that improve your health. It will have the same effect on those you love.

Even if your loved one can no longer speak, it is still important to set aside a few moments each day to focus completely on them. Avoid all distractions such as TV, phones, and computers, make eye contact (if possible), hold the person’s hand or touch them, and speak in a calm, soothing voice.

When you connect in this way, you go through a process that reduces stress and promotes physical and mental health for both of you. You will experience what Casals calls “mysterious meaning.”

Tip 4: Make the most of community services

Many communities offer support services for caregivers. Depending on where you live, the cost may be based on your ability to pay or whether the patient or caregiver’s insurance may cover it.

Services that may be available in your area include day care centers, home care, home meals, nursing care, transportation services, and skilled nursing care.

Caregiving services in your community. Call your local senior center, local information and counseling services, family services, or hospital social services department for referrals. Your loved one’s illness or disability support group may be able to recommend local services. In the United States, contact your local office on aging for assistance with caring for elderly family members.

Provide support for veteran caregivers. If the person you are helping is a veteran, they may be eligible for additional support services. In the United States, for example, home health care, financial assistance, nursing home care, and senior day care are common.

Your family. If your loved one is a long-term care provider, fraternal organizations such as the Elks, Eagles, or Moose can help. This assistance can take the form of phone calls, home visits, or transportation.

Public transportation services. Many cities offer free or low-cost transportation to get people to doctor’s appointments, day care centers, senior centers, and shopping centers.

Senior day care. If the person you are caring for is elderly and in good health, consider senior day care. Senior day care can provide you with a much-needed break during the day or week and provide your loved one with meaningful activities and entertainment.

Personal care services. A home health aide, paid caregiver, registered nurse, or home health aide can help with daily activities such as dressing, bathing, feeding, or preparing meals. Home care aides can also provide minor assistance, such as taking blood pressure or giving medication reminders.

Health services. Some home health services can be provided by trained professionals, such as health or occupational therapists, social workers, or home health nurses. Check with your insurance or health plan to find out what coverage is available. Home health care can be provided in the home.

Meal plans. Your loved one may be eligible to receive hot meals in their home through the Meals on Wheels program. Religious organizations and other organizations in the community sometimes provide free meals and companionship to the sick and elderly.