Providing Direct Care to your Loved One

Providing direct care to a loved one can be difficult and overwhelming at first. Learning new skills, such as changing a dressing or giving an injection, takes time and practice.

Taking on tasks that you have not done before can be overwhelming, such as cooking, lawn maintenance, laundry, or managing the finances.

Most family caregivers agree that the difficult thing for new caregivers is being able to fit these tasks into their already busy lives. Be sure to ask for help if you need to better understand you care.

Here are some tips that may help you care for your loved one at home:

• Make a list of all the health care tasks that you need to perform for your loved one
• Circle the tasks that you don’t know how to perform. Ask the doctor or nurse for information and/or training.
• Talk with the doctor or nurse about those tasks of care that you are able and willing to perform.
• Talk with your loved one’s doctor nurse about other providers who may be able to help by performing tasks of care that you are unable or unwilling to perform (Visiting Nurses, home health aides, meals on wheels, chore/housekeeping service, transportation service).
• If you have other people providing care to your loved one, monitor what they are doing so that you know needs are being met.
• Prioritize the tasks of care that need to be performed.
• Schedule care tasks as much as possible to help you establish a daily routine. Make a list of activities and times.
• Encourage your loved one to do as much for him/her self as possible.
• Keep a list of signs and symptoms that need to be reported to the doctor or nurse.
• Keep a list of emergency telephone numbers near the telephone (ambulance, hospital, doctor’s office, doctor’s answering service).
• Find a support group for caregivers. Other caregivers will share their experiences with you and can provide tips for providing care.
• Be sure to take care of YOU. This means getting enough rest and exercise, and eating a balanced diet.
• Take time out for yourself each week to go have lunch or dinner with a friend, go to a movie or sporting event, take a walk, or to read for pleasure.