Caregiving 101: The Resources You Need to Care for Your Loved One at Home

If you’re a brand-new caregiver, it can be tough to know where to start. Most likely, your loved one has been given a life-changing diagnosis that requires your help at home and in their everyday life. You may be overwhelmed with all of the responsibilities you now have.

 

So what should you do first?

 

First of all, take a deep breath and know that you are already doing a great job! Next, let us help provide you with all the resources you need to provide the best care for your loved one at home.

 

Educate Yourself

The scariest part of starting anything new is the fear of the unknown. We highly recommend doing your research into what it means to be a caregiver for your loved one’s particular condition. Whether you’re caring for an aging parent, or someone with heart failure, COPD, dementia, or diabetes, they all require their own set of special tools to care for them properly. Not only do you need to know how to care for them, but you also need to take extra good care of yourself, as well

 

A great place to start is by exploring the resources offered by Interim HealthCare. Our online library of home care resources offers comprehensive guides for caregivers, no matter the diagnosis or condition of your loved one. We guarantee that after reading these resources and doing a little homework, you will soon feel empowered to provide the best care possible for your loved one.

 

Get The Help You Need to Care for Your Loved One at Home

You may soon learn that although you are indeed a superhero caregiver, you can’t (and shouldn’t) do it all by yourself. The concept of caregiver burnout is very real, and to be the best caregiver you can be, you need to accept help from time to time.

 

The good news is that help is available, and there are many options to choose from that are tailored to your loved one’s individual needs.

 

If you find yourself concerned about the time your loved one has to spend in a hospital, in-home care services may be a great option for both of you. Choosing these services for your loved ones can be very difficult, but at Interim HealthCare, we take pride in designing every care plan to meet the individual needs of each client. We have many resources available online that help you learn how personal care services and home health services work and what to expect.

 

Home care can certainly take the burden off of you to provide personal care services and medical care to your loved one, but it’s important to allow yourself time for a break. That’s where respite care comes in. Respite care provides family members breaks from the daily routine of caregiving. It can relieve stress, restore energy and promote the necessary balance in one’s life. Whether it’s for a few hours or a long vacation, Interim can provide the support and relief needed.

 

Share Your Knowledge

Once you’ve gotten your feet wet and gotten the hang of caregiving, it can help your mental health to share your newly gained knowledge with others. Joining a support group not only helps you feel like you’re not alone in your caregiving journey but providing support to others can be just as beneficial for you as it is for them.

In addition to joining a support group, you may want to consider volunteering with a local hospice agency or hospital. Giving back to others in any way you can helps others feel supported and allows them to learn from your experiences.

 

The best advice we can give to new caregivers is to take it one day, or even a minute, at a time. You’re not alone. Allow yourself to use the resources you have available to you, and know that your loved one is so lucky to have you in their life.