Top 10 fundamentals of a family caregiver caring for their loved ones.
Family Caregiver – What does it take?
First of all, becoming a family caregiver requires massive organization and patience. Also, family caregiving is one of the growing senior issues. Another key point, caregiving can happen at a moment’s notice. In addition, every situation is going to be different and may need different things. Here are the fundamentals of caring for your loved ones. Dealing with this day out and being careful not to irritate the condition of your loved one any further can cause strain on you, as the caregiver. Here are a few books to help you with everything caregiving.
1. Create a Family Caregiver Plan of Action
With this in mind, it will be best to get a notebook or a weekly calendar. Also, write down a rough draft of everything you must do as a family caregiver. First, start with your loved one’s likes and dislikes. Secondly, ask about their problems or concern. Third, be observant of the physical aspects and the mentality of your loved ones. Fourth, ask what specific duties they would like you to do. Write down all the medications and doctors they use. Finally, write a detailed plan of action for each day.
Caregiving can happen at a moment’s notice! So, be prepared for anything.
2. Evaluate the Medical Needs
First of all, once you have a list of doctors and medications, notify them to let them know you are the family caregiver. Secondly, meet with each one to determine a diagnosis, treatment, and medication necessity. See if a diagnosis has gotten better or worse. Is there a change in the treatment? Do any medications need to change? Finally, the doctor will appreciate a well-thought-out plan.
The first thing to remember, observe your loved one’s daily routine for a couple of days to figure out what they use daily. Also, ask questions to determine if they would like to throw away anything. Another key point, ask if you can organize each room of the home to clean and maintain it. Finally, always start with the cleanest to the dirtiest. Keeping everything clean and organized will keep everyone happy and stress-free. Have a weekly cleaning schedule.
4. Help Out with Daily Living
As a family caregiver, it is important to realize that to ask questions to determine what your loved ones can do for themselves. Ask about grooming, bathing, dressing, toileting, and transferring.
Grooming will consist of
Brushing, flossing, washing, shaving, manicuring fingernails and toenails.
Bathing will consist of.
Help to get in the shower or bath, and possibly bathing your loved one. Discuss the number of times per week that the bath should occur.
Always let your loved ones do as much as they can. Then assist with anything that they are having problems with.
Safety first, make sure there are grab bars and any devices that may make things easier. Discuss in full detail with your loved ones the assistance they will require. It is essential as a family caregiver to keep your loved ones clean and dry.
It is important as a family caregiver to determine how your loved one can transfer from one thing to another. Some loved ones may only need minimal help, and others may need full help. There is a variety of aids and devices for bedside and chair-side assistance.
We all get set in our way of how we prepare our food and what we eat. Our tastes and habits change as we age. Create a weekly nutritious menu so that everyone knows what they are having. Purchase groceries weekly to have all supplies ready for cooking. Consider the dietary requirements and doctor’s orders.
As a family caregiver, it is your responsibility to ensure proper sanitation. This will include regular daily garbage removal. Maintaining the sanitary bathroom area. And cleaning out old or tainted food in the fridge and cupboards.
7. Transportation and Errands
It is your responsibility to transport your loved ones. This will be to all appointments, stores, and entertainment. You may need special equipment such as walkers or wheelchairs.
8. Ambulation assistance or Exercise
Whether your loved one can walk or is in a wheelchair, it is important to exercise regularly. There are many exercises available for most wheelchair and bed-ridden seniors. Always consult with a doctor for particular guidelines on exercise.
9. Keeping your loved one’s company
Make sure, as a family caregiver, to take time for your loved ones. Have meals with them, watch a favorite program, read to them, or just let them know you are there for them.
Make sure you have an emergency contact list on the refrigerator. List the family contacts, any serious health problems, primary care physicians. Also include a list of specialty doctors, hospitals, pharmacy. You may even want a DNR form (Do Not Resuscitate) as well. Know how to give CPR before or after calling 911.
Caregiving can be quite overwhelming. The following tips and knowledgeable advice will help. Check it out!
Caregiving can be quite overwhelming. But with the following tips and knowledgeable advice, you will be fine. If you’re new to the caregiving role, follow these steps to acquaint yourself. Remember, it’s normal to become overwhelmed and confused. Take it one day at a time for best results and take it easy on yourself. Take good care of yourself to take care of your loved ones. For more information, check out this site. Also, check out this great post on body mechanics and learning how to transfer your loved ones. And this is one of the top products for family caregivers.
Overseeing this can cause you to stress because you can’t be in 2 places at one time: taking care of your business and taking care of your loved one. Look into hiring some help. This will allow you to get some rest and make sure your loved one is properly cared for. Or maybe you want to spend more time with your loved one while taking a break from some redundant business tasks like sending out emails, returning calls, or organizing files. Let’s chat about how I can be of service to you so you can take care of your business and your loved one.
Post Tags:	#Care Plan#Caregiving#Daily Living#Family Caregiver#In Home Care#Medical Needs	
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Smart Tips To Help A Family Caregiver Now!