5 Questions to Determine the Potential Impact of Caregiving
Are you prepared to take on the responsibility of caring for a family member? Will you be able to handle the commitment of moving your parent(s) in with you? How will you know when caregiving has become too much to handle? Will caregiving negatively impact your relationships with immediate family members? When is it time to think about other elder care arrangements?
When aging parents or an ill family member need help, many of us dive into caregiving with full hearts and little forethought. Sometime later, we come to realize that we’ve been in this role for months or even years and that it has changed us and our lives in striking ways. As a family caregiver, you must take a step back and have a frank talk with yourself. Doing some honest soul searching can help you sort out your priorities, set goals for your loved one’s care, and establish boundaries that will safeguard your own physical and mental health.
Of course, other people’s needs and desires will factor into your care decisions to some extent. However, clarifying your own position will help you find common ground while caregiving. The sooner you have this conversation with yourself, the better.
Questions a Family Caregiver Should Ask Themselves:
Do you have children at home? What are their needs, and how does caregiving impact your ability to meet them?
Do you have a supportive spouse or partner, a negative partner, or no partner? How does this relationship affect your caregiving, and how does caregiving affect your relationship?
How do you plan to make time for yourself while caregiving? Are you able to factor in…
Helpful Tools:
Stay connected with Memoryboard: Designed by caregivers. Memoryboard helps families share reminders, messages, updates, and photos on an easy-to-use screen designed for people with dementia. Peace of mind for families, independence for loved ones.
Wetness indicator and alert to help manage incontinence with dignity. SenecaSense Home: Discreet Support That Restores Comfort and Confidence
Leslie Kernisan, MD, MPH, has opened up support! View two free caregiving webinars that can help you help your older parents (and yourself).
Discover the Difference. EGOSAN: The premium incontinence brand caregivers love: They save work! Now Available on Amazon.
Minding Our Elders: Caregivers Share Their Personal Stories: “…This book is for all of us; let it help you cope! Thank you to the author and everyone she spoke with!” …Dolores
