How to Increase Chances of Becoming a Primary Caregiver

Deciding to be the primary caregiver for someone in need is a truly honorable act. In order to increase your chances of being able to be this person's primary caregiver, several steps need to be taken.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• A safe and well-equipped home
• Internet or other access to state government information
• Legal forms
• Witnesses and/or a notary
• Medical support system

1. You may need to install safety equipment like grab bars. Prepare your home. You need to show that your home is safe and equipped to care for the person. Do your stairs have sturdy railings? Will you need a hospital bed? Do you need to install grab bars in the bath and near the toilet? Do you have night lights for safer moving around during the night? Will the person need a wheelchair, a cane, a bedpan? Make sure you have the proper number of working smoke detectors and fire extinguishers in your home.
2. Know the end-of-life wishes of the person you wish to care for. Be involved in the person's advance directives. As the primary caregiver, you must know the treatment and end-of-life wishes of the person you are caring for. Be aware that one state may not honor the directives put into place in another state; if you will be spending time in more than one state, be sure the person you are caring for has advance directives in place for each state.
3. Being the person's medical power of attorney may help. Consider being the person's medical power of attorney. This indicates a trusting relationship between the caregiver and the person being cared for. These forms can usually be found online; search for the forms your particular state requires, or consult a lawyer. If the person you wish to care for is in a hospital or other institution, someone there may be able to help you obtain the necessary forms.
4. States may have different caregiving laws. Check into state and local laws regarding caregiving. You may need to have a background and criminal history check. Different states have different regulations regarding being someone's primary caregiver, so check your state's government website and contact the appropriate people if you need further information.
5. Have support resources ready. Show that you have emotional and medical support. You and the person you are caring for may need hospice services such as emotional support for both of you, someone to help run errands, and someone to give you a break from caregiving when you need one. Also, even though you are the primary caregiver, the person you care for may need nursing or other services to check vitals and administer tests and medications.