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How to Be A Better Carer for Our Loved One
4 Success Tips
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Many us have been, or will find ourselves, in the position of caring for a loved one. Sometimes a grandparent, sometimes a parent, sometimes a spouse.
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If someone suffers a disability or a cognitive decline, we may see no better option than to step up and take care of them ourselves.
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But are we always the best option? It’s not always the case, at least not right from the start, and we should be willing to learn what it takes to be a better carer.
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How to Be A Better Carer for Our Loved One #1:
Teamwork
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Depending on the condition your loved one faces, there is a lot of advice and help available from the different people involved in their care, like their doctor or nurses.
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There are also support groups for those helping ageing parents, dealing with dementia, physical disabilities and other degenerative ailments many elderly people face like cancer and heart disease.
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Don’t feel guilty about reaching out to other members of the family for help, either. It’s not fair to expect any one person to take on the stressful and overwhelming task of caring for another entirely.
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How to Be A Better Carer for Our Loved One #2
Help them find Independence
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However, you can do much to help them find their feet and independence by helping supervise their diet, ensuring they eat healthy but delicious meals, advising them on premium nutritional supplements and essential minerals, exercise and meditation to give them a holistic balance.
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Such a structured program will give them a feel-good balance to enable them to go forward in this phase of their lives.
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There are a lot of disability accessibility equipment and mobility aids available from services teams. From getting into the bath and shower, through the home, and even things as simple as being able to chop up the ingredients for their own meal can be a great help.
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It takes some of the responsibility off you and lets your loved one maintain that sense of independence for longer.
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How to Be A Better Carer for Our Loved One #3:
Proactivity in the long-term
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It can tough to find the time to be proactive and plan ahead. However, planning and seeking out help is important.
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There are sources like Unforgettable which can help you put together a day planner that allows you to stay on top of your responsibilities with a little more ease.
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Again, take care to talk to your protege’s doctor about efforts you can make to help them live better with their condition.
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Planning for physical activity, the opportunity to socialise and more can help you provide better care in the long-term, not just the short-term.
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How to Be A Better Carer for Our Loved One #4:
Taking care of yourself
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Carer burnout is all too real. Sites like CareWatch make it clear that you need to take the time to care for yourself when you can find it. This might include going to carers’ counselling.
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There’s no nobility in sacrificing your well-being for another when you could be taking care of yourself better. Not only will it offer some improvement in your experience, but it ensures that you can keep your relationship with your loved one as positive as possible.
Becoming a carer for someone you love can be tough, incredibly so. But using the tools, help, and self-support available can make life easier for you. This can ensure that you’re doing the best possible job for both yourself and that loved one.
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What are Your Challenges, Tips and Secrets for Caring for Your Elderly Loved Ones? Share with us below!
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