At the March meeting of Sun City’s Neighborhood Advisory Council, Donna Copeland Hill spoke on the subject of Family Caregivers. Representing the Northeastern Illinois Agency on Aging.
Miss Hill commented, “Providing care for an older, ill, or disabled loved one can be very rewarding. But it can be stressful, too. Getting support from others can help caregivers cope with the stress.”
I’m sure that most of us know someone who is a caregiver or who has become a caregiver in the past year. Here, then, are the agency’s “50 Ways to Support a Caregiver.”
In other words, here are 50 things, in sequencing order, that you can do to make a difference in the life of a caregiver you might know. Some of the items might be easier for you to perform than others. No matter how tiny the task, however, I’m sure that your caregiver acquaintance will appreciate your unselfish contribution to his/her busy life.
1. Let the caregiver know that it is OKAY to ask for help—no one can do it alone.
2. If your offer of support is turned down, keep trying. Accepting help from others may not come easily to some people.
3. Offer to bring the caregiver a meal.
4. Create a sign-up calendar online or offline for others who want to bring food.
5. Buy a gift certificate for a favorite store or takeout restaurant.
6. Pick up a few extra groceries when you shop.
7. Ask friends to chip in to hire a cleaning service every week or every once in a while.
8. Help with home-safety changes like grab bars or ramps.
9. Help organize the home to reduce clutter and avoid accidents.
10. Help make a list of regular household tasks that others can do.
11. Mow the lawn, rake leaves, or shovel snow.
12. Vacuum the house.
13. Offer to pick up laundry. Return it clean and folded.
14. Clean the refrigerator.
15. Wash and vacuum the caregiver’s car.
16. Pick up medications at the pharmacy.
17. Help organize the medications, create a chart or calendar.
18. Send a card, email, or text—let the caregiver and the family know you are thinking about them. Let them know you don’t expect a response.
19. Offer to keep friends and family informed.
20. Create a schedule of visitors or others who can help.
21. Arrange for a trusted person to call regularly to check in.
22. Join the caregiver for a walk.
23. Walk the dog.
24. Troubleshoot computer problems.
25. Give the caregiver a brief break.
26. Watch the caregiver’s kids or grandkids if applicable.
27. Stay with the person who needs care for an afternoon or weekend.
28. Take the person who needs care for an outing.
29. Share a joke or humorous story—laughter is a good way to relieve stress.
30. Lend a good book or movie—it may encourage the caregiver to rest.
31. Return library books or movie rentals.
32. Gently ask direct questions such as “Are you able to sleep?” or “How is your own health?”
33. Encourage the caregiver to visit his or her own doctor or dentist.
34. Treat the caregiver to a haircut, massage, or manicure.
35. Bring flowers.
36. Find benefits, programs, or community resources for the disabled, veterans, or seniors.
37. Find an attorney who can help with legal issues. Many communities offer free or low-cost legal services.
38. Help with financial or insurance paperwork.
39. Make calls for the caregivers.
40. Help them connect with other caregivers.
41. Look online or in the community for chat or SUPPORT GROUPS discussed in my last article.
42. Research information about the loved one’s condition.
43. Send links to sites that have useful tips.
44. Be thoughtful about the information you provided—don’t overwhelm them with too much.
45. Allow the caregiver to complain, laugh, or cry. You may not be able to fix the problem, but listening can help ease the stress.
46. Offer to drive them to appointments.
47. Offer to drive to their place of worship.
48. Ask if you can research counseling options for the caregiver or the person who needs care.
49. Find classes, books, or online resources that teach stress reduction techniques such as deep breathing, yoga, or meditation.
50. Help a caregiver create a list of things they are grateful for. Post the list where they will see it often. Positive thoughts can help get them through hard moments.
For more info on the subject, contact Northeastern Illinois Agency on Aging at 800-528-2000 or www.AgeGuide.org.
