Caregiving 101
Whether by choice or not, being a caregiver for someone you care about can be a scary thing. Sometimes it happens in the blink of an eye and drops a lot of responsibilities on people who might not have the education or background to deal with such a lifestyle. Since then, the Memoryz team has compiled a quick guide for new caregivers with all the things you need to know:
Find a Support Network
You are not alone. If you have any other family members or friends, use all the help you can get. One person can’t be everything for everybody, so focus on what you can give and what you can’t, and use other people to fill the gaps. Join online support groups on social media and make meaningful connections with other caregivers. They understand what you are going through, which leads to the next advice.
Seek Guidance for Caregivers
Suddenly have a million questions. How are you supposed to take care of another adult? What should he be eating? Can she still drive? Check into local resources for caregivers! Organizations like the Red Cross or other local agencies may offer classes in caregiving for people in similar situations as you.
Keep Your Options Open
You might not have considered this as an option yet, but it might be a good idea to visit local nursing homes and caregiving facilities. Should your loved one ever need one, it is a good idea to know what your options are. Sometimes these places have long waiting lists, so it is a good idea to have a plan if you ever need it
Get Familiarized with the Legal and Financial Implications
Start thinking about some of the difficult legal and financial issues you may face as a caregiver. Cost of nursing homes, medical prescriptions, doctor appointments, all those things will affect your finances. How does the power of attorney work? Does she have a will? Tackling these issues can be upsetting. Talk to a geriatric care manager, a social worker, an elder law attorney, or get in touch with a caregivers’ organization.
Leverage Technology
We live in a world where technology is everywhere. There are many tools online that will help you streamline and improve your caregiving experience. The Memoryz app uses a chat driven approach to keep up with your activity reporting, set task reminders, and have a smooth back and forth between caregiver and care-receiver.
