A recent report from the CDC estimated that if Americans had to pay for the care they’re currently getting from unpaid caregivers, it would total nearly $470 billion a year. As a result, the CDC concluded, “Caregiving is an essential public health service and should be prioritized as an emerging public health issue.”
But it’s not just the caregiving that’s important. It’s the caregivers. The individuals who give their time and energy to others need support. And that’s what we’re here to talk about today.
Whether you’re a caregiver yourself or you know someone who is, you can use these tips to help ensure the people giving care get the care they need, too.
Ask to help — or ask for help
Caregiving can get lonely and burdensome, especially when the person feels like they have to do everything alone. They have someone relying on them. But they might need to rely on someone else from time to time.
If you know a caregiver, ask what you can do to help them. If they’re not sure where to start, ask them if you can:
- Run any specific errands
- Bring them a coffee or a tea
- Make a meal they can keep in the freezer for when they need it
- Take over for them for an afternoon so they can have some time for themselves
- Come hang out with them while they caregive
- Do a load of laundry or dishes for them or their care recipient
If you’re a caregiver yourself, start by identifying things you would want help with. You might feel like some tasks are easier to do yourself. But go through your list of to-dos. There’s definitely something that someone else could lend a hand with.
Then comes the hard part: ask for help. If this makes you nervous, try easing into it by sending a text. Find what approach feels the most comfortable to you. It’s also important to identify a reliable source and start there.
Depending on your circumstances, and what help you have available to you, you might even set up an online calendar and share it with loved ones, asking people to take slots of time when they can. That way, things feel less personal and more like a team effort.
Ultimately, you’ll never know who will be willing to help unless you ask them.
Get set up for a break
Whether you’re a caregiver getting some rest or someone stepping into help, you want this change of care to go well.
The Complete Care Plan template from the CDC can help. Once the primary caregiver fills that out, it should provide a thorough, easy-to-use guide on everything anyone helping would need to know. It covers everything from the care recipient’s personal preferences to their medications and doctors.
Taking this approach may provide comfort around the idea of taking some time off for yourself. Ultimately, it’s important to remember that if you’re not receiving adequate self-care, caring for others will become more difficult and less sustainable.
Tap into resources
For starters, there are some excellent resources available to help caregivers. The Family Caregiver Alliance (FCA) offers support groups to help you connect with other people in a similar situation. They even have an online support group that all takes place over email so you can engage with it whenever you have time and the desire to do so.
The Caring.com Resource Center has information on a wide range of topics, from adaptive clothing to financial assistance for medications. If you’re a caregiver with specific questions about how to navigate what’s ahead, you can likely find a guide on the issue there.
Beyond that, you can look into the:
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Caregiving
- Public Health Center of Excellence on Dementia Caregiving
- Alzheimer’s Association
- American Heart Association
- American Cancer Society
- American Lung Association
If you’re caring for someone who has a condition that falls under the last four categories, those organizations may be able to connect you to specific groups and resources.
Respite care
Resources extend beyond some online tools. To give caregivers the break they need, organizations offer something called respite care. Essentially, it’s your chance to take some time away from caregiving while leaving your care recipient in good hands.
The National Respite Network and Resource Center offers a respite locator. You can also explore Ventura County respite care options from 211.
And don’t forget, even as you administer care, you need mental and physical health care, too. For support from a therapist as you navigate life as a caregiver, get in touch with us at the Ventura Counseling & Wellness Center or the West Valley Counseling Center. If you have a hard time physically leaving your caregiving location, we can offer virtual therapy.
