If you recently took on the role of a senior caregiver, you might feel a bit overwhelmed and confused. Here are some tips to make things easier.
Maybe you’re an in-home nurse preparing to start your first job; maybe you’re just a dedicated and caring family member who’s decided to step up and care for a loved one. Formal training or not, caregiving can be a real doozy at first.
There’s a lot of confusion and stress that comes along with caregiving, but there are also many rewards. Here are some tips for new senior caregivers that will help you start your caregiving journey off on the right foot.
Keep an Eye on Their Health
You want to ensure the person you’re taking care of remains hearty and healthy, but that isn’t always easy. There are many health conditions that come with old age; some require more attention than others.
If you’re a trained nurse, you’re much better equipped to manage these conditions than the average person. You might not be stationed in a hospital for this particular job, but it’s still crucial to follow the correct hospital care and safety standards as you care for your patient in their home to ensure optimal health.
If you’re not a trained nurse, familiarize yourself with your loved one’s medical history and learn which symptoms can be managed at home and which ones necessitate a trip to the hospital.
Communication Is Key
Your patient or loved one might not be able to do everything by themselves, but they’re still people with their own thoughts and opinions. Let them voice their concerns—if they have any—and work with them to create routines that will maintain their health while also increasing their happiness and respecting their autonomy.
Routines Don’t Need To Be Strict
The final tip for new senior caregivers is to not make your routines too strict. Establishing a routine is important. This routine should include a set wakeup time, bedtime, mealtime and free time. But take care not to make it too stringent. Routine is important, but so is flexibility.
Let your patient or loved one have some control over what their free time involves—maybe they’d like to work on a new puzzle or spend some time outdoors. This way, they can freely pursue their hobbies and interests.
Having a flexible schedule also makes dealing with unexpected situations easier. If an appointment is cancelled or a sudden rain shower nixes your plan to go on a walk, you can change the schedule without any issues.
