CARING FOR A LOVED ONE BEGINS WITH CARING FOR YOURSELF

To help prepare you for this difficult, honorable, and rewarding work, there are several things you can do to become a confident and capable caregiver:

• Identify yourself as the primary source of support.
• Ask your loved one about any wishes they have regarding his/her care.
• Assess what your loved one needs to be safe, cared for, and have a good quality of life; if needed, seek professional assistance in making this assessment.
• Get more informed. Read anything you can on hospice and talk with your loved one’s physician.
• Convene family and friends to discuss what is needed and how to allocate resources.
• Use positive communication tools to create a plan with your support network.
• If possible, agree on a plan of action and divide responsibilities.
• Be realistic about your limitations and those of your family members.
• Exercise and manage your health. Inadequate health regimes become most apparent during stressful times. You can’t help your loved one if you aren’t well.
• Designate someone to be available in case of an emergency.
• Know the best person to call when you feel the need to talk about what you’re going through.
• Identify activities or people that make you feel relaxed and happy.
• You will spend most of your days indoors. Make a point of getting outside, sitting in the sun, and taking in the outdoors.
• Finally, remember to spend loving moments with your loved one. This time will pass, and you will miss it.