How to Care for Caregivers

The need for quality care for aging parents is constantly on the rise. With health care costs at all time highs, many families can't afford to hire care givers for their loved ones. That means the caregiving roll often falls to one or more family members. Keeping family caregivers healthy, both mentally and physically during this stressful time is the best way to ensure quality care for aging parents.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

1. Check on family caregivers frequently. Make sure they know they can depend on you for an occasional day off for themselves.
2. Help caregivers by volunteering to do tasks for them. If you work all day and can't be your mother's caregiver, volunteer to grocery shop, run errands, car pool kids or do the banking for your sibling who is always on duty.
3. Divide responsibilities among your siblings or relatives leaving only the actual caregiving to the caregiver. This includes: home maintenance, cleaning and traveling to doctor visits.
   
   
4. Insist that the primary caregiver take at least one day off per week. Put a schedule together of who will relieve the caregiver on her days off.
   
   
5. Plan activities for aging parents at your local senior center. Most senior community centers have daily lunches, interesting classes or programs to give caregivers a few hours in the middle of the day.
6. Share financial responsibilities. If aging parents can't pay for things like regular housecleaning, pool your money and provide this service. This will keep the caregiver from becoming the housekeeper. Include housekeeping for the caregiver's own home as well.
   
   
7. Have a plan in place that allows the caregiver to take vacations and spend time away from the caregiver role. Siblings living out of town can come in for a week or two each year to give the caregiver time away with his family for needed rest and relaxation.
   
   

Tips & Warnings

• Keep communication between yourself and your parent's primary caregiver open. Watch for signs of exhaustion, frustration and stress. Step in before these issues get out of hand.
• Research organizations in your area that provide help for caregivers. There are many support groups that offer encouragement, information and ideas for caregivers.