10 tips for caregivers

8/20/2019 10 Tips for Caregivers

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Ca r i n g f o r

Yourself

W h i l e Ca r i n g fo r

Som eone Else


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THECAREGI V I NG JOURN EY

I S NOT A

BUT A

SPRINT…


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Former First Lady,

Mrs. Rosalynn Carter says

that there are four kinds of

people in the world… Those who have been caregivers

Those who currently are caregivers

Those who will be caregivers

And those who will need caregivers


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The legal definition

of a caregiver

is someone,

typically over age 18,

who provides care

for another.


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TH EN YOU A RE A CAR EGIVER

physical, emotional, and mental support and care

regardless of the pay and your relationship to the individual.

take someone to church, help get their groceries,run errands for them, help them with housework or

listen to their troubles…

I f y o u p r o v i d e

I f y ou


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As a Caregiver,

how do y o u care

for Yourself ?


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TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF

TIP #1

The best way to care for another is to care for yourself.

Get your recommended screenings, check-ups, etc.

Get enough sleep and eat a healthy diet.

Take the time to engage in activities that help with stress.

Exercise is a great stress reliever!

ACCEPT HELP!


9/36 ACCEPT HELP!

TIP #2

BE INFORMED – GET EDUCATED

Knowledge is Power – seek out information.

Ask questions of doctors – be ready for

appointments by having a written list of your

top three or four most important questions.

Take a notepad to the appointment so you

can write down important information.


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TIP #3

GET CONN ECTED

W ITH OTH ERS

Connect and be honest with others

who may be partners in caregiving –

family, friends, or professionals. Ask for specific assistance.

Effective communication will ensure

that everyone is working as a team.


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Time spent with others is vital to your

health and well-being, as well as,supportive to your caregiving role.

ACCEPT HELP!

DON’ T ISOLATE

YOURSELF

Work to maintain your friendships

and the activities you enjoy doing.


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RECEIVE W ITH GRACE

ACCEPT HELP!

TIP #4

Yo u ca n n o t m a k e a ca r eg i v i n g j o u r n ey a l o n e.

Accepting help is empowering!Taking a break can allow you to have

a more loving spirit.

Be prepared with a list of tasks so when someone says

“w h a t c a n I d o t o h el p ” you can tell them!

NO GUILT ALLOWED!


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NUT URE YOUR

FAITH AN D

SPIRITUALITY

ACCEPT HELP!

TIP #5

Spirituality has been linked to lower ratesof depression and hypertension.

T a k e t i m e t o n u r t u r e y o u r f a i t h .


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ALLOW YOUR LOVED

ONE INDEPENDENCE

ACCEPT HELP!

TIP #6

Even if it takes longer, allow your loved oneto participate as much as possible.

It is empowering for loved ones to give youa break from caregiving responsibilities.


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B ELIEVE TH AT L AUGH TER

IS TH E BEST M EDICINE

ACCEPT HELP!

TIP #7

L au gh t e r eases t ensi on an d boos t s

y o u r i m m u n e sy st em .

Caregiving is tough, but learning to laughcan help ease the pressure.

Allow yourself and your loved one to be silly!


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LET GO OF SITUAT IONS BEYOND

YOUR CONT ROL

ACCEPT HELP!

TIP #8

Unexpected problems and challenges

are part of the caregiving journey.

W hen f a ced w i t h m u l t i p l e i ssu es,

d o n ’ t t r y t o t a c k l e ev er y t h i n g a t o n ce.

Prioritize and check them off one by one…

you’ll see the progress you’ve made.


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Rem em ber t h a t som e ou t com es

a r e b ey o n d y o u r co n t r o l .

You can be the best caregiver everand still not slow or alter the disease

that has affected your care recipient.


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PLAN AH EAD

ACCEPT HELP!

TIP #9

Ta l k a b o u t l eg a l a n d f i n a n ci a l

i ssu es as soo n a s possib l e .

If you should become unable

to be the primary caregiver havea plan for continued care.

Laws differ from state to stateso consult an attorney.


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Ask questions so that thecare recipient’s wishes are clear.

Complete a living will and

other advance directives.


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B E A CAREGIVER

ADVOCATE

ACCEPT HELP!

TIP #10

Share with others on the caregiving journey.

Group efforts, such as support groups, can

be a strong voice for caregiver needs in the

community, state and nation.

Reach out to your community leaders

and legislators.


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H el p f o r ca r eg i v er s i n o u r com m un i t y ca n b e f ou n d a t t h e

Thanks to theROSALYN CARTER INSTITUTE

FOR CAREGIVING in Americus, GA for compiling and publishing

these tips for caregivers.

EDEL CAREGIVER INSTITUTE6000 Business Center Drive

Savannah, GA

912-629-1331


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A Continuumof Care

CommunityCenter

6000 BusinessCenter Drive

DemereCenter For

Living


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Family Caregivers Membership Services

Education/Support Courses

Caregiving 101 - A two-hour class covering the core physical techniques ofcaregiving. Learn to safely transfer a care recipient from bed to chair,commode or shower. Learn practical tools to better deal with the emotional andphysical challenges of caregiving. Taught by qualified medical instructors, thisclass will provide hands-on training and provide time to have all yourcaregiving concerns addressed .

Understanding a Cancer diagnosis - A forty-five minute class taught by aqualified medical professional that explores cancer and the probableprogression, treatment and prognosis of the disease. Additional time will beallotted for questions, discussions, support and learning from the instructor(s)and caregivers who understand the stresses of your situation.


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Understanding a Cardio-Pulmonary diagnosis - A forty-five minuteclass taught by a qualified medical professional that explores cardiovascularand pulmonary diseases and the probable progression, treatment and

prognosis of heart or lung disease. Additional time will be allotted forquestions, discussions, support and learning from the instructor(s) andcaregivers who understand the stresses of your situation.

Understanding a Diabetes diagnosis - A forty-five minute class taught by

a qualified medical professional that explores the probable progression,treatment and prognosis of diabetes. Ample time will be allotted for questions,discussions, support and learning from the instructor(s) and caregivers whounderstand the stresses of your situation.


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Understanding a Dementia diagnosis - A forty-five minute class taught bya qualified medical professional that explores the probable progression,treatment and prognosis of dementia or Alzheimer’s disease. Additional time

will be allotted for questions, discussions, support and learning from theinstructor(s) and caregivers who understand the stresses of your situation.

Understanding a Kidney Disease diagnosis - A forty-five minute classtaught by a qualified medical professional that explores the probable

progression, treatment and prognosis of kidney disease. Additional time will beallotted for questions, discussions, support and learning from the instructor(s)and caregivers who understand the stresses of your situation.


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Understanding your Medications – Do you sometimes worry about

the medications prescribed? Are there too many? Not enough? Is eachdoctor prescribing these medications aware of additional prescriptionsfrom other physicians? Are these medications working? Are they all

necessary? If these are questions you’ ve asked yourself, then this class, led by a qualified pharmacist will be of great help to you.

Hospice and Palliative Care 101 - So many people are afraid of the “H”

Word! And few understand palliative care. Both provide pain and symptom

management but they are very different medical specialties. This forty-fiveminute workshop is designed to clearly outline the differences between thetwo and who and how they can help. You will have time to have all yourquestions answered as we explain the extraordinary help and support thathospice and palliative care can provide.


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Wellness Courses

**

Nutrition for both Care Recipient and Caregiver - You may wonder what your day-to-day nutritional choices have to do with being a caregiver. The foodthat you eat affects your moods, overall health and immune system. When youexperience the ongoing stress of caregiving, good nutrition becomes critical to

maintain your health and well-being. In addition to nutritional guidance tohelp you feel strong and healthy, this one-hour class will address how yourloved one’s nutritional needs may change as his or her disease progresses.

Caregiver Stress Relief – Schedule some relaxation time just for you! Thisone-hour class incorporates basic yoga poses, centering meditation, spiritualcare and support.

Caregiver Support Group - Our drop-in, one-hour support group provides asafe place to connect with other caregivers who truly understand what you aregoing through. Exchange practical information on caregiving problems andpossible solutions; Talk through challenges and ways of coping; Share feelings,needs and concerns; and learn about resources available in our community. You’re not alone.


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Life Story - A one-hour class teaching you tools and techniques to record your

loved one’s story. Gathered tales can become family heirlooms held close to the

heart. They are a gift to each generation that preserves them by rememberingthem and passing them on to future generations. Every life matters and everylife has a story worth keeping. Ample time will be allotted to engage incommunication with other caregivers in attendance and with the presenters.

Advocacy – A one-hour advocacy class presented by two experiencedcaregivers. It is important to be an advocate for yourself and your carerecipient. This class is designed to assist you with having an active voice incommunicating with health care professionals, employers and others. Ampletime will be allotted to engage in communication with other caregivers inattendance and with the presenters.


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Balancing Work and Caregiving: the Juggling Act - If you’re currently

caring for a loved one, chances are you often feel overwhelmed by the difficultyof balancing these responsibilities, your home, and maintaining your job. Thisforty-five minute class will explore how to talk to your employer about yourcaregiving responsibilities and help you access community resources andhelpful options. Additional time will be allotted to engage in communication with other caregivers in attendance and with the presenters.


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Legal/Financial Courses

The Conversation Project – Ensuring that every person’s end of life wishes are expressed and respected. How do you have that awkward,uncomfortable, unsettling conversation about “what happens if?”

This forty-five minute class, led by Dr. Kathleen Benton, Director ofClinical Ethics at St. Joseph’s /Candler and Mark Schaeffer, Elder Care

Attorney and the creator of the metro Savannah chapter of theconversation project will explain how to set your priorities, choose anadvocate, document your choice and understand the ethical dilemmas thatoften surround end of life care for every member of your family. Additionaltime will be allotted to engage in communication with other caregivers inattendance and with the presenters.


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Caregiving and Finances - Caregiving involves more than just medical issues.This forty-five minute class helps you understand medical bills, hospital bills,

private insurance and long term care insurance. We will share tips on findingprograms that may help to pay for the costs of prescription drugs, health care,utilities, and other essential items or services. Additional time will be allottedto engage in communication with other caregivers in attendance and with thepresenters.

Understanding Medicare/Medicaid - A forty- five minute class explainingthe benefits of Medicare and Medicaid as well as the steps necessary to qualifyand or receive benefits. Additional time will be allotted to engage incommunication with other caregivers in attendance and with the presenters.


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Additional Services available for Edel FamilyCaregiver Members

Reduced rates for day time respite at local assisted living facilities.

Caregiving 101 skills follow up support. Resource information and referrals to necessary community services.

Individual consultations for disease specific education with fourth yearmedical residents. By appointment.

Social work support.

Discounted rates on local agency sitter services.

In-home respite scholarships for qualified individuals.


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Edel Caregiver Institute Community Services** (Made available at no cost through community sponsorships) *

Orientation - If you are overwhelmed trying to care for someone with a

serious diagnosis, you are not alone. Learn how the Edel Caregiver Institute canhelp you care for you - the caregiver - as well as the care recipient in this thirty-minute overview of our services. Our helpful intake coordinator will meet with you privately following class to assess which courses and resources will bestmeet your individual caregiving needs.

caregiving 101 - A two-hour class covering the core physical techniques of

caregiving. Learn to safely transfer a care recipient from bed to chair,commode or shower. Learn practical tools to better deal with the emotionaland physical challenges of caregiving. Taught by qualified medical instructorsthis class will allow you to have hands-on training as well as have any of yourcaregiving concerns addressed and questions answered.


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Dealing with Dementia Behaviors – A guide to empower caregivers-helpingcaregivers smile more and scream less. This is a four hour class that will helpthe family caregiver fain a better understanding of the impact of dementia on

care recipient behaviors. (Offered by the Rosalyn Carter Institute)

Powerful Tools for Caregivers – The Powerful Tools for Caregivers program isa once a week for six week program that will provide you with tools andstrategies to better handle the unique caregiver challenges you face. (Offeredtwo times a year by Area Agency on Aging)

Effective Communication Strategies - Communication is more than justtalking and listening; it’s also about sending and receiving messages in other ways. Explore how communication takes place when someone has Alzheimer’sdisease. (Offered by the Alzheimer’s Association)


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For More Information about membership and to viewthe Course calendar Please consult website www.edelcaregiverinstutute.org or call 629-1331
http://www.edelcaregiverinstutute.org/http://www.edelcaregiverinstutute.org/

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