Caregivers are often looking for resources that help them to be the best caregivers they can possibly be. While that’s important, it’s also important to acknowledge that you’re already doing great things just by being there for your senior.

Plan Ahead as Much as Possible.

In caregiving, there are some things that you know are coming down the line. Your senior may have specific health issues or you might know that certain changes are around the bend. Talk about them early with your aging adult and start formulating a plan now. That plan might change, especially the details of the plan, by the time you get there, but you’re less likely to feel caught off guard.

Remember Your Senior’s Dignity.

When you remember that your elderly family member is a person worthy of dignity, it’s a lot easier to handle certain situations. Think about how you would want to be treated in a given set of circumstances and then react accordingly. This type of mindset can help you to avoid moving on autopilot and taking the human element out of giving care.

Take Care of You.

You’re not going to get far as a caregiver if the only person you’re taking care of is your aging adult. You have got to take care of yourself as well. This means eating the right foods to give you solid fuel, sleeping well and as much as you can, and paying attention to your own health issues. If you’re not doing these things, you’re going to have a difficult time sticking with caregiving.

Don’t Give in to Guilt.

Guilt is a really easy trap for caregivers to fall into. It can show up in all sorts of situations and make you feel as if you have never done enough or been enough in this situation. The reality is that you’re doing the best that you can do with the resources and the situation that you’re managing. If you truly need to make changes, then make them, but don’t allow guilt to bring you down and beat you up.

Being a better caregiver isn’t about doing more or pushing yourself harder. It’s about being there for your aging adult and not burning yourself out in the process. Listen to what your elderly family member needs and to what you need as well. From there you can make the best decisions possible for your situation.

If you or an aging loved one are considering hiring caregiver services in Charleston, SC, contact Heart of the Carolinas Home Care at 864-991-3116.  Providing Home Care Services in Greenville, Simpsonville, Greer, Anderson, Spartanburg, Mauldin, Seneca, Laurens, Charleston, Columbia and the surrounding areas.

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Edward Harrison

Founder at Heart of the Carolinas

Edward Harrison founded the Heart of the Carolinas Homecare in 2007 when he saw there was a need for caregivers that provide non-medical home care services, at a price that most people could afford. It was standard in the industry to require hourly minimums and it was common to be assigned a caregiver, not matched with one based on your individual personal needs. Edward understood that to make a successful relationship between caregiver and client, skills were not enough, personality and compatibility plays as much a role as do skills.

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