Basics of Caregiving for Older Adults

What you should know about caregiving

You are not alone on your caregiving journey. HealthSpring is here to support you along the way. In this article, we share tips on senior caregiving that cover both physical care and emotional support. We also offer advice about your role as a caregiver and why it’s just as important to care for yourself, too.

What is caregiving?

Caregiving is providing support to someone, often a family member or friend, who needs help with daily tasks. They may need help because of their age or a health challenge. The tasks could be anything, like grocery shopping, preparing meals, doing laundry, managing medications or scheduling medical appointments. Sometimes, it involves full-time care management when the person is no longer able to thrive independently.

The caregiver role often changes over time, especially when caring for older adults. Caregiving can be emotionally and physically demanding, but it is also an opportunity to deepen your connection with family and friends. It can leave you with memories that you will treasure as you help the person you are caring for go through this stage of their life.

How to create a care plan

One of the most useful things you can do at the beginning of your journey is to have a conversation to learn the most important goals and needs of the person needing care. A care plan can be a helpful way to organize the tasks of caregiving and make sure everyone is on the same page. It is a great way to make sure the basics of caregiving are covered. Here are some things to consider:

• Setting up a daily care routine: Work with your loved one to create a daily routine. This includes a practice of providing meals, medications or treatments and activities at certain times. Having a daily routine adds comfort and structure, helping you respond in ways that support both you and your loved one.

• Legal and financial planning for older adults: It is important to talk with your loved one early on about finances, legal documents, end-of-life-care and advance directives. These conversations can be difficult, but they can help prevent surprises and ensure your loved one’s wishes are known. Speak with experts who deal with these topics regularly to learn more.

• Talking with health care providers: When you talk with the care team, have a list of questions ready. Keep a notepad to write down their answers. This kind of clear communication is important to providing good care for your loved one.

Building your care team and resources

To help manage care, it’s a good idea to build a caregiving team. This includes collecting contact information for health care providers, insurance representatives, friends and neighbors who can help.

It is also helpful to make a list of trusted local resources for things like home care, medical equipment, transportation and meal services. Even having someone on standby to take your place in case of an emergency can be critical. Having this important information on hand can be a big help when you need to contact other services.

Managing caregiver stress and burnout

Becoming a caregiver can be challenging. It is normal to feel overwhelmed at times. It’s important to remember to show grace to yourself and the person you are caring for. They usually don’t try to give you a hard time on purpose. They are likely having a hard time themselves. Here are some tips for managing caregiver stress and burnout:

• Be patient: Try to understand their feelings and abilities today, not where they were before. Talking with health care providers can help you understand the changes your loved one may be going through.

• Take a short break: Even a few minutes of quiet time can give you a feeling of calm. Seeking out respite care for longer breaks is also a good idea. Respite programs offer skills that can ease the worry of someone else caring for your loved one while you recharge your energy.

• Ask for help: You don’t have to do it all alone. A support group, older adult programs or a friend can help with household chores or just be there to listen.

Prioritize your well-being

Caregiving can be physically and emotionally draining, often leaving little time for yourself. To be a good caregiver, you must also care for your own health. Here are a few important tips to help prioritize your well-being:

• Stay healthy: Maintaining your physical health is a big part of self-care. Exercising regularly, eating healthy meals and getting enough sleep are always important. These simple habits can help boost your energy levels and improve your mood, helping you cope with the daily demands of caregiving.

• Find time for yourself: Make sure to set aside time for activities you enjoy, even if it’s just for a few minutes a day. Hobbies like reading, listening to music or crafting are great for managing stress. Ask friends or family for help so you can participate in these activities.

• Get support: Talk to family, mental health professionals or spiritual advisors if you are struggling with feelings of frustration, sadness or hopelessness. Also, regular medical check-ups are important for monitoring your own health, including watching for signs of depression.

Caregiving support resources and services

For more caregiver support, start by checking with doctors, faith-based organizations or other community groups to find local resources and services.

You can also find helpful resources online. Area Agencies on Aging are public or private non-profit agencies named by the states to address the needs and concerns of older adults. Groups like national care centers or national care councils can help you learn about local programs and connect you with other caregivers in your area.

Your loved one may be eligible for home health care, which includes visits from doctors or nurses to their home, as well as other home services that offer personal and respite care. Veterans are eligible for many benefits if they meet the eligibility requirements through the Veterans Affairs (VA), such as durable medical equipment.

Adult day care programs provide out-of-home support that can give families a break on some days. These programs provide care in a safe environment where people can meet others who share similar interests or are in a similar medical situation.

Final thoughts from Dr. T

Your well-being matters just as much as the person you are caring for. Making time for self-care and being kind to yourself can help you provide better support to your loved one. As the saying goes, you can’t serve from an empty cup. Remember, you are not alone on this caregiving journey.

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