Four Ways to Support the Caregiver in Your Family
A recent report from the National Alliance for Caregiving shares that the number of Americans providing unpaid care has significantly increased over the last five years. There are approximately 53 million family caregivers in the U.S., with nearly one in five providing unpaid care to an adult with health or functional needs.
According to this report, nearly one-quarter of caregivers report that their health has suffered since becoming a family caregiver. Family caregivers often neglect their own needs, putting them at risk for caregiver burnout. Being a family caregiver is time-consuming, especially when the needs of an aging parent or relative become more demanding.
Support is essential for a family caregiver. It can be life-breathing and can help the family caregiver stay grounded when the stress of caregiving exhausts them. If you have a family caregiver in your life, here are four ways you can support them.
Pitch In Without Being Asked
One significant way family members can support a family caregiver is to pitch in without being asked. Family caregivers are notorious for not asking for help. Family members should be aware of this and look for ways they can help out. Whether it's taking out the trash while you’re visiting your aging parents or relatives or offering to run errands to free up the family caregiver’s afternoon, look for opportunities to help and then follow through. If you don’t know how to help, ask the family caregiver what would be most helpful or let them know when you’re available.
Listen
Another way family members can be supportive is to be attentive listeners. Family caregivers carry a heavy emotional load. Sometimes they just need to vent. Make an effort to be available for the family caregiver in your life. Check-in with them once or twice a week. Listen without passing judgment. Unless they’re asking you to solve a problem, don’t offer solutions as they express their feelings. Instead, acknowledge their feelings and empathize. Show them that you care by sending a note of encouragement.
Bring Them a Meal
Support the family caregiver in your life by bringing them a meal. Everyone needs to eat a healthy diet, including family caregivers. Yet, many family caregivers sacrifice their diet and nutrition to care for others. It’s more convenient to order carry out when you’re pressed for time. However, it’s not always easy to find healthy options at fast-food restaurants. Bringing a healthy meal to the family caregiver’s home can save them a lot of time and effort. It also shows that you genuinely care. Let them know ahead of time so they have something to look forward to.
Give Them a Break
The last way family members can support family caregivers is to give them a break from their caregiving responsibilities. Work as a family to arrange respite care for your aging parents or relatives so that the family caregiver has adequate time away to rest and recharge. Offer to sit with your aging parents or relatives so that the family caregiver can run errands, catch up with a friend, or have time alone. Volunteer to look after your aging loved one for an entire weekend. Hire a professional caregiver so that the family caregiver can take a week-long vacation. However your family chooses to give them a break, let them know ahead of time so they can plan accordingly.
Speaking of giving family caregivers a break, Visiting Angels Jenkintown is here to help. We provide custom in-home care services for independent seniors in the surrounding communities. Our in-home care services allow your loved one to age at home, where they are most comfortable. Our caregivers can help your loved one with any number of daily tasks. Whether you need us to provide respite care once a week so that your family caregiver can take a break, or it’s time for more round-the-clock monitoring and care, we can assist. We’ll help your loved one make the most of their golden years while giving your peace of mind that your loved one is safe and that their needs are being met. To learn more, or to get started with in-home care with Visiting Angels, please contact us today by calling 215-938-7201.