Do You Know Any Caregivers? Here's How to Be Their Guardian Angel

Being a caregiver is time-consuming and can be emotionally draining. Do you know someone who is a caregiver to someone in their home?

Chances are whenever you see or talk with them, your parting words are, "If you need anything, just call me." Right? After all, they are your friend. You'd do anything for them.

How many times have they taken you up on your generous offer? Caregivers are a stubborn and proud breed. They feel they should be able to do everything by themselves. Even to the point of being overwhelmed, rarely will they pick up the phone and ask for anything.

I know. When I was my mother's sole caregiver, I was just as hesitant to ask for any help. Thankfully, my mother and I had friends who didn't allow us to get away with our "we can manage it all" attitude. How?

They offered concrete suggestions. By doing this, they made it easy to accept their help. We didn't feel as if we were a burden to them.

...Tips and tricks to being a caregiver's best friend...

1. Call them up and say, "I going to the grocery store. What can I pick up for you?"

2. If you are running around doing errands, try..."I have to drop by the dry-cleaners and the drug store. Do you have any clothes that need to be dropped off?
What can I pick up at the pharmacy for you?"

3. For a caregiver in need of respite care, just say..."I have a few hours to spare today. Why don't I come over and sit with (name) so you can get out of the house for awhile?"

4. Remember when you could get the house to yourself? You felt like a teenager again? Try this. "I'm taking a couple relatives for a sight-seeing drive. Would (name) be up to joining us?"

5. If you drop by and see things like yard work, plant watering, inside chores, etc...don't ask if they can use a hand. Just jump right in and whistle while you work.

6. If the caregiver looks after someone who can't be left alone, like an Alzheimer's patient, drop by and give them time to do something for themselves like a long bubble bath or a walk in the park.

7. Offer to spend the evening at their home while the caregivers have a date-night.

See? Once you start thinking in concrete terms, all kinds of ideas pop into your head. Not all caregivers are tied to the house every hour of the day. But some are. And, all caregivers need help at times. Knowing someone cares, helps keep them from caregiver burnout.

A word of warning. You may have to rush to revive them when they pass out from sheer gratitude!

(c) Karen Cook

To read more about looking after aging parents and caregiving, drop by http://incareofparents.blogspot.com Karen was sole caregiver to her mother who resided with her until her passing in 2006.