Men Are Great Caregivers Too
Welcome back to part two of our blog post on male caregiver!
In addition to the tips we provided in part I, consider the following last few tips to improve your role as a caregiver:
1) Ask for and accept help – Despite the fact that family caregivers are drowning in responsibility or are really confused about what the next step should be, they often respond ‘no thanks’ when help is offered. Asking for and accepting help is a complex issue, but don’t try to go it alone.
Steps to take:
- Create a list of the tasks that need to get done in any given week, or at least those you are most concerned about. When you see how long the list is you’ll quickly understand why you are so tired and don’t have time for yourself.
- Recognize that asking for help is a sign of strength and not of weakness. It means you have a grasp on your situation and have come up with a proactive problem solving approach to make things easier and better.
- When a family member, friend or neighbor asks if they can help, take them up on it. Find out what they’re willing and able to do. For example, someone can offer companionship by walking with your spouse a few times a week. Or a neighbor can pick up a few things for you at the grocery store.
- Consider getting full-time or part-time caregiving assistance from a professional organization. In-home caregivers, such as Comfort Keepers can help with daily tasks.
2) Take care of your health – It is essential for caregivers to take care of their own health. Physical exhaustion often goes with the job of caregiving, especially when your spouse needs a great deal of physical assistance. Remember that if you get sick, injured or exhausted, you’ll no longer be able to help your loved one.
Steps to take:
- Work exercise into your normal routine, even if it means finding someone else to provide care while you walk or take an exercise class.
- Eat nutritious meals. Don’t give into stress-driven urges for sweets or drink too much alcohol.
- Get enough sleep. If you are kept up at night, try a nap during the day.
- Be sure to have regular medical checkups.
- Take a break. When you spend most of your time caring for your spouse, you still need time to take care of yourself. Listen to music, read a book, take a bath – do whatever you need to do to relax. By taking time out to care for yourself, you will have more energy to take care of your loved one.
3) Learn to balance caregiving and your career – As we all know, caregiving itself can be a fulltime commitment. Doctors’ appointments, your wife’s needs at home, and unexpected crises make it nearly impossible for you to maintain a regular work schedule. However, keeping your job may be very important to you for any number of reasons. Whether it’s for the salary, medical benefits, or personal satisfaction of working, you should not give up your job too soon.
Steps to take:
- Talk to your supervisor at work about your situation and needs in a way that expresses your concerns, both as a caregiver and a dedicated employee.
- Be understanding about your employer’s needs and work with him/her to agree on a plan that works for everyone.
- Look into home care options while you are at work.
- Try to view your job as respite time away from caregiving. It is time for you to focus on other issues, and have time to yourself.
For more information on support for the male caregiver, visit the following Web sites:
1) Family Caregiver Alliance -www.caregiver.org
Founded in 1977, Family Caregiver Alliance was the first community-based nonprofit organization in the country to address the needs of families and friends providing long-term care at home. FCA now offers programs at national, state and local levels to support and sustain caregivers.
2) American Association of Retired Persons – www.aarp.org
AARP provides seniors with information on financial planning, caregiving, avoiding fraud, and consumer rights.
3) National Family Caregiver’s Association – www.thefamilycaregiver.org
The National Family Caregivers Association (NFCA) supports, empowers, educates, and speaks up for the more than 50 million Americans who care for a chronically ill, aged, or disabled loved one. NFCA reaches across the boundaries of different diagnoses, different relationships and different life stages to address the common needs and concerns of all family caregivers.
At Comfort Keepers we seek to be a resource to you because we are Comfort Keepers caregivers and we are here to help! Comfort Keepers provides in-home care to seniors and the elderly living in Ocala, Gainesville, and The Villages Florida. We provide superior in-home care to seniors and the elderly throughout Central Florida so they can live enriched independent lifestyles! Call us today at 855-592-0013.
