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Caregiving

How Caregivers Heal after the Sacrifice

by Carol Marak
written by Carol Marak

Family members at times take on the role of caregiving suddenly, assuming the tasks of helping a loved one without knowing what they’re giving up. In most cases, people don’t recognize their sacrifice and view the tasks as administering medications, preparing meals, giving rides, and making arrangements to live with their loved–all for the sake of the right thing to do.

How caregiving effects adults who step into the role:

Helping my parents through elder care put life on hold and I focused on their personal needs more than my own.

Deferred retirement to maintain the 6 figure income to cover my Mother’s assisted living or nursing home expenses, when unable to care for her at home.

Retired to give my Mom 24/7 care, we were able to cover the expenses without any real issues. She lived with me in my home until the end. The cost to me was in a personal and social life.

I gave up every weekend and one week a month, sacrificing 1/4 of my salary to unpaid family leave for mom-care for about 4 years. Eventually, lost my job because she was dying and I would not leave her in home hospice alone.

The Impact of a Care Recipient’s Death

A caregiver’s life is forever changed when the loved one passes away. So much of the caregiver’s sense of self came from providing care. This is the time when the family member feels lost and alone.

The caregiver’s purpose is tied up in caring for another and their identify ripped away. Now, they have no ties to providing care, the caregiver is left without someone to care for. The family member may feel useless and abandoned.

Having invested so much time and attention into giving care, it’s difficult to shift the focus–on you, the caregiver. The following tips are from Crossroads Hospice:

  • Use rituals as a tool to help cope with grief
  • Allow whatever you’re feeling
  • Take time-outs from grieving
  • Seek help from a licensed therapist
  • Reach out to others to re-establish relationships
  • Lean on family and friends
  • Get rest and exercise
  • Practice daily prayer or meditation

 

Family caregiving demands a great deal of life changes to meet the care of a terminally ill loved one. The care you gave diminished the focus on your own needs. So, be gentle with yourself and work towards healing. The role of the caregiver isn’t who you are.

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Making a Smooth Transition from One Caregiver to Another
Caregiving

Making a Smooth Transition from One Caregiver to Another

by Richard Bitner
written by Richard Bitner

Tips for Continuity of Care

Finding the right fit between a senior and his or her caregiver is the biggest part of any successful care relationship. So, when a senior has been receiving care from the same caregiver for years and finds out that caregiver is about to retire, switch jobs, or move to a different location, the news is a big deal. Seniors and their families often fret during this time, worried they will never find another care provider who can measure up to their care standards. Making a Smooth Transition from One Caregiver to Another
At Visiting Angels, we know how hard the transition from one caregiver to another can be for some seniors. In nearly two decades of caregiving, we’ve helped many families with continuity of care. Below, we’ve outlined some of our best advice for when you’re switching care providers. Making a Smooth Transition from One Caregiver to Another

Take Action as Early as Possible

Seniors have little control over when they are notified that a caregiver change is upcoming. But once you are notified, it’s in your hands to start planning for the change as early as you can. Making a Smooth Transition from One Caregiver to Another
If you receive care through a care agency like Visiting Angels, you will want to reach out to an agency director as soon as possible to start discussing your options. In most cases, a care director will have previous experience in transferring a client’s care from one caregiver to another. Making a Smooth Transition from One Caregiver to Another
While procedures can vary from one agency to another, the director of your local agency will generally be your best resource during this time. They will know which caregivers at their agency are available for your care schedule, which have the skills and personality to meet your needs, and what steps you can take to ensure a successful switch.

Communication Leads to Quality Care

One of the best ways to ensure a seamless transition from an old caregiver to a new one is through communication. Care is always personal, tied to the needs and preferences of the care recipient. Even a highly experienced caregiver will take time to get to know a new client. If possible, ask if you can have a new caregiver shadow your old caregiver for a time.
Shadowing is not a standard practice at all senior care agencies, so you may be asked to pay an hourly rate for both caregivers to make shadowing possible. That said, if you have the resources at your disposal, the improved quality of care will make it a worthwhile investment. Making a Smooth Transition from One Caregiver to Another

Get Involved with Caregiver Selection

When a new caregiver is being appointed for your care or the care of your loved one, you should play an active role as much as possible in selecting your caregiver. Making a Smooth Transition from One Caregiver to Another
The amount of say you’ll have in the caregiver will vary from agency to agency, but a quality agency will always keep seniors involved in choosing a care provider. Whether that’s by having clients meet potential caregivers before starting care or giving clients final say in who their permanent caregiver will be, a good agency will work with you to make sure that your replacement caregiver is a good fit.
At Visiting Angels, our approach is to let you Select Your Caregiver®. We do this whether we’re setting up care for a first-time client or helping a longtime client find a new care provider after their previous caregiver has moved or retired.
If you’re looking for a caregiver in your area, contact your local Visiting Angels office today and get started with a free, no-obligation care consultation. Making a Smooth Transition from One Caregiver to Another

Making a Smooth Transition from One Caregiver to Another

Making a Smooth Transition from One Caregiver to Another Making a Smooth Transition from One Caregiver to Another Making a Smooth Transition from One Caregiver to Another Making a Smooth Transition from One Caregiver to Another Making a Smooth Transition from One Caregiver to Another

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