What Are the Best Ways to Help a Family Caregiver?

Home Care in East Millcreek UT

If you know someone who is a family caregiver to an elderly loved one in her family, you've probably wanted to offer help. Sometimes, if you're not sure how or what kind of help to offer, you might feel a bit stuck. Here are some tips that can help.

Offer a Specific Form of Help

When you do offer to help a family caregiver, make sure that you make the offer as specific as possible. This does two things. First, you know exactly what you're offering to do and you're willing to perform that service. Second, it removes any doubt or decision-making on the family caregiver's part. When people offer general help to a caregiver, she's likely to either forget about it or to put that offer in the "maybe someday" pile. That happens because it's easy to assume that someone is just trying to be nice with the offer, especially if they don't follow up with any action. The family caregiver you want to help probably isn't going to be pushy about getting help; she's too busy for that. Good offers of help include:

"I'm heading to the store. What can I get for you?"
"I cooked extra the other night. Here's a casserole."
"I'd love to visit with your loved one if you need an afternoon away."

Just Touch Base

Sometimes it's difficult for a family caregiver to keep up relationships the way that they have in the past. So it might fall on your shoulders to keep that connection open. Try sending a text or a card just to let the family caregiver know that you're thinking of her. If she's got home care providers coming one afternoon, ask if she'd like to go out to lunch. Little ways of showing that you're there and that you care can mean an awful lot.

Don't Give Up

Above all, don't give up on the family caregiver that you care about. There may be times that she declines your help or turns down a lunch date, but don't stop offering or asking. Family caregivers are balancing a lot, including guilt for accepting help, so it can take a while to break through.

The best part about helping a family caregiver now is that you may be in that same position yourself one day. Helping someone else now can help you be a better caregiver later.

If you or an aging loved one are considering hiring home care in East Millcreek, UT, contact the caring staff at Interim Healthcare. Call today 801-401-3515.

Author: Michael and Marlena Hawkins, Owners, Interim HealthCare, Salt Lake City, UT

Interim HealthCare of Salt Lake City has been in business since February 2014, providing in-home personal care and support services that help our elderly and/or disabled neighbors live enriched, safe and independent lives. Our goal is to provide customized care and support services that make it possible for our clients to remain in the comfort of their own homes rather than relocate to an assisted living facility. Interim HealthCare is family owned by Michael and Marlana Hawkins, and is a Veteran Owned Small Business.