Ctxyoungcaregivers's Blog

• If anyone offers help, take it! Sometimes we let pride get in the way but if a trustworthy friend asks to be of use ask them to sit with your loved one for a couple of hours. They will be happy to help and you will have a couple hours of free time.
• When shopping at the local grocery store with your loved one notify the manager and ask for a personal shopper. This makes shopping so much easier!
• Create a network of caregiver friends. Don’t just hang out alone at home, invite people over! Bring the party to you! You be the host and your caregiver friends should be very understanding.  If they are not caregivers invite others over who will not feel uncomfortable with your loved one walking around.
• Look for adaptable clothes, if you are having a difficult time dressing your loved one, several companies have clothes that make it easy.  Google adaptable clothes and see what comes up.
• If the person you are caring for is homebound, enroll them on a local Meals on Wheels program if one is available.  This will provide them with one decent meal plus give them a brief daily interaction with someone outside of you and your family. In addition, some programs like the one in Austin,TX offers lots of other programs such as minor home repairs, some medical supplies, and other services
• Decorate your loved one’s room- things they the person may have been interested in at one time. If the individual was a fisher, put posters of fish on the wall. Be creative! This may help your loved one feel more comfortable
• Play your loved one’s favorite type of music.  If the person has Alzheimer’s this may help bring back some memories
• Please take care of legal matters. If you don’t have power of attorney for your loved one get it asap! You may consider guardianship. It is more expensive but it will be honored with all gov agencies and any important decision making.
• Find things to make life easier. My friend bought me a pill crusher to help me crush my mom’s medicine. This little device does wonders!
• If you are a distant caregiver the best thing you can do is provide support to the person or entitety providing direct care. It doesn’t take a lot. If you can support finanically that’s fantastic.  Phone calls are great too just the let the direct caregiver know you understand their commitment. If you look in another city or state call a pizza place or restaurant in the direct caregiver’s city and have it delivered to them. This will save them from making dinnner.  One person I met mentioned that they are going to call in a massage for their sister who cares for their mom.  This is a wonderful idea.  It really is the thought that counts and a $15 pizza isn’t too much.
• Above all else, have fun and find humor in everything! Often times my mom will put my shoes in the sink or something crazy. Don’t get upset,  sometimes it helps to laugh.  One important key as a caregiver is you must remain positive.  I know it’s hard but a good attitude will help you to keep going even when it is difficult.

If you would click on the “Into the life of young caregivers” section of the site there you will find our purpose of creating this blog. You all take care and be encouraged

-Natalie and Bj