Caregiver Support

The Visiting Nurses Association in your area are also very helpful. They come right to the home and help with medical as well as day-day, life issues.

Susan_Beausang:

One thing you might also consider is giving your mother as much freedom to make choices as possible. Often we think we are efficiently helping by anticipating a need and meeting it, but we are seen as being "controlling" and "intrusive." Whenever possible, tell your mother what you would like to help her with and give her an "either-or" option. Try having a conversation like this:

"Mom, I'd really like to do something for you today, if you don't mind. I could either take the trash out or I can move your chair to the spot you choose in your bedroom. Which would you like me to do?"

This places her in the director's chair and helps her assert her independence. Give it a try and tell us how it works.

It's important for the caregiver to understand that you are helping your loved one, but not at the expense of your own health.

Often caregivers do not fully understand their role. It's not up to a caregiver to get the patient well, but to assist the patient in obtaining what They believe will get them well.

Caregiver can help in many ways, but they are not the boss, the mother, or the food police of the patient:)

I do an exercise with the patient and caregiver to help both communicate and meet their needs. It's often not easy:)

It is really up to the patient. If a patient wants me to work with their family I am happy to.

If a caregiver reached out to me I would still have to get permission from the patient. This is all based on the privacy laws aka "hippa".

The services offered by the navigavor would be on a case by case basis depending on the need. The navigator could meet with the patient and/or the caregiver to assess the needs. The next step would to develop a plan.