Caregiving

You are not alone.

Six Aspects of Caregiving 

http://www.extension.org/pages/63153/caregiving-101#.Uq4SRvRDtLs

#1 Emotional Impact of Caregiving

Each caregiving situation is different. Many caregivers report moments of feeling overwhelmed by worry or emotions. At times, you may find yourself experiencing the following emotions:

• Anxiety—wondering how you will continue handling everything, such as addressing finances, running the household, and caring for your warrior and other family members
• Hopelessness or abandonment—feeling that no one else can possibly understand what you are going through
• Fear—wondering what the future holds, whether your situation is temporary or permanent
• Guilt—knowing that you are not the person who has a complex medical condition or disability yet finding that your life has changed radically as well
• Inadequacy—having concerns that you lack the knowledge or skills to give the care your family member needs and not knowing where to go for answers

Remember: Seek immediate professional help if you have thoughts or feelings of death or suicide.

#2 Coping Strategies

Learning to identify emotions and new ways to cope can lead to a healthier relationship and lifestyle for you and your warrior. Recognize and take control of your emotions!

• Establish a regular routine.
• Get plenty of sleep and rest.
• Talk about your feelings.
• Give yourself permission to cry.
• Look for humor in caregiving moments. It’s important to be able to laugh, even when moments can be heartbreaking.
• Connect with family and friends.
• Find ways to take breaks from caregiving.
• Join a support group. Meet others who may be in similar caregiving situations.
• Seek spiritual healing.

#3 Caring for Caregivers

To continue giving care to your warrior, you must be kind to yourself. Being a caregiver does not mean doing everything yourself, or doing things alone. Consider the following tips for staying healthy:

• Attend regular medical checkups.
• Take your medications.
• Eat healthful foods.
• Exercise.
• Take time to relax.
• Set goals (have realistic expectations of yourself and your warrior).
• Change negative self-talk to positive self-talk.
• Acknowledge how you feel.
• Allow others to help you.
• Learn more about managing finances.
• Be open to new technologies.
• Learn about military and community resources for family/caregiver support through a Soldier and Family Assistance Center (SFAC).
• Use resources available to you (for example, eXtension, National Resource Directory).

#4 Essence of Communication

Caregiving demands can make balancing other roles—such as husband, wife, partner, or parent—difficult. According to the Journal of Pain and Palliative Care Pharmacotherapy,communication is significant to your long-term relationship with your family member (NAC, 2008).

• Allow each other to talk about what you are feeling.
• Talk about strategies you each use to cope with overwhelming emotions.
• Identify topics that are stressful for you.
• Try to not judge each other.
• Discuss issues of intimacy.
• Talk with a counselor or clergy member.
• Protect your time together.
• Talk about hopes you each have for the future.

#5 Communicating with Health Care Providers

Medical appointments can be stressful. It is important to learn about your warrior’s medical conditions and understand the information you receive. Preparing for an appointment ahead of time can help you, your family member, and his or her health care providers obtain important information you each need.

• Jot down key questions or points you want to discuss with the doctor.
• Keep a folder of your family member’s medical information. Bring it to each visit.
• Talk to the doctor or nurse case manager about your worries.
• Report any major change you observe in your family member’s symptoms, mood, abilities, or daily activities.
• Take notes during medical visits.
• Meet with your service member’s Warrior Transition, Triad of Care, or health care team to discuss next steps in the Comprehensive Transition Plan (CTP) or care plan.

#6 Asking for HELP!

Some people believe that asking for help means they are somehow falling short of caregiving responsibilities (Cleland, Schmall, Sturdevant, 2000). You may feel that you are alone in your duties and that no one else understands. Asking for help is not easy but may be the best way for you to stay healthy and continue giving care. Also, your family member may feel less guilty accepting your help if you allow others to do things that require specific skills or free up some of your time (NAC, 2008). Help others understand by letting them know what they can do to help and how often you want their assistance.

Be honest about what you can and cannot do. Think about everything you do each day. What tasks can other people do to free up some of your time or to ease your workload? Don’t wait any longer. Ask for help now! What can others do to make your life a little easier?

• Fix a meal.
• Clean.
• Run errands.
• Do yard work.
• Provide child care.
• Help with finances.
• Drive family members to appointments (for example, doctor visits).
• Give you opportunities to talk or share feelings.