With the rising cost of assisted living facilities many people are caring for a chronically ill or disabled spouse, parent or other family member at home. Caregiving can be a rewarding experience, especially when you know that your care makes a positive difference. But caregiving can be difficult. Here are three tips to being a good caregiver:
- Take care of yourself.
- Don't help too much. Let the person do as much as he or she can.
- Ask for help. Sometimes just a day off can makes all the difference.
When you are caring for a spouse, parent or family member and they seem to be angry and don't appreciate what you are doing for them, remember they are scared. When a person is totally dependent on someone else for day-to-day living it is hard. Try not to take it personally.
Flowers in a room or a pretty picture can help brighten anyone's mood. Use magazine photos as placemats. It will bring a different picture to every meal and give the person you are caring for a little something to look forward to at each meal. Little things like that can make a world of difference. And as I mentioned already, ask for help if you need it. You are doing something very special in caregiving, but you need to always take care of yourself.
Regards,
Rochelle
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