Information for caregivers
A caregiver may be a friend, someone who is hired or, most often, a member of the family. Caregiving is not easy to do. For family members, the change in roles is a challenge for everyone.
Ideas to help with caregiving
Organize important papers, including:
- Medical information (dates of treatment, doctors’ names and phone numbers, medicines and their doses, a health care directive)
- Legal and financial information (insurance documents, bank accounts, insurance policies, Social Security number)
- Emergency care providers and their phone numbers.
Have a daily routine and care plan.
- Set up the home so your loved one can be more independent.
- Get help. Have meetings with family and friend to rally help. Look into adult day care or a home companion. Hire a personal care service to give yourself a short break.
- Join a caregiver support group.
Take care of yourself to avoid burnout.
- Get exercise and plenty of sleep. Eat a proper diet.
- Face the fact that things have changed. Work on understanding your own feelings about these changes.
- Think of what has helped you feel better in the past. If exercise has helped with anger, get to the gym. If pampering is your way to banish sadness, bring on the bubble bath.
- Look to your spirituality. You may have a regular place of worship where you find support, or you might prefer to nourish your spiritual life on your own.
- Read helpful books and magazines.
- Take a break (for a minute, an hour or days, if you need to).
- Don’t stop doing the things you enjoy.
- Talk to other people.
Support groups
Support groups can help both stroke survivors and caregivers. Groups share experiences and offer ideas on how to deal with specific issues. Besides being a great source of information, the social support you receive can inspire hope. Ask your therapist about support groups in your area. You may have to try a few different support groups to find the right fit.
