For a caregiver, problem-solving and planning are two most important skills. Being prepared for handling any unexpected situation and being organized helps to reduce the stress and to care for the people you love.
Caregivers struggle and work hard to make sure that their loved ones live happily with the best possible quality of health and life. Researchers show that the caregivers that don’t care about themselves are most likely to suffer from severe depression, abusive behaviour, physical sickness and burnout and strained family relationships.
Being an efficient caregiver includes learning strategies for problem-solving, planning and for caring about others.
Tricks and tips for being a more effective caregiver
Following are some tricks and tips to prepare yourself for the challenges that you can face in the process of caregiving:
- You should plan your day by prioritizing your tasks and your goals that you want to accomplish in your life. Prepare a list of your needs and put the most important ones first
- Identify the neighbours, friends and other relatives that are willing to help you. Also, identify the kind of support that they are able to provide and when are they available
- Make a schedule to ensure that the needs and requirements of your loved ones are being fulfilled. Arrange a day for taking full advantage of any help available from your friends, other agencies, and neighbours
- Give yourself space. Don’t work to the point of overtiredness and exhaustion. It can affect your capability of being an affecting caregiver. Moreover, it could be an extreme threat to your well-being
- Set your limits and follow them strictly. Learn to refuse anything that you don’t feel like doing
- Caregivers are one of the most important participants of a healthcare team. Develop a strong partnership with the healthcare providers of your loved ones. Get involved in the development of any health care plans for short and long-term
Caregiving also involves problem-solving. It’s not something new as you have been dealing with problem-solving all your life. The difference is that many of the issues that are affecting your loved ones often come with a chronic illness and are perhaps new to you. Following are some tips for problem-solving:
- Identify and talk about the problems that are currently existing. Look for any local resources that can prove helpful
- Make a long-term plan or a strategy if the condition of your loved one’s changes or worsens.
- Identify the potential issues and the service that can be provided and be prepared for making the required changes
Most Important tricks for caregivers
- Keep a positive attitude towards the caregiving process
- Work in collaboration with the healthcare team members and the person that needs care for solving the problems
- Your own health is most important. Stay healthy and take good care of yourself
- Set your limits and don’t pressurize yourself by doing more than what you are capable of