Indiana Association for Home and Hospice Care | Indianapolis, IN
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Guide for Caregivers

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Family - Guide for Caregivers

You are not alone
More than 12 million men, women and children in the United States need some kind of help with daily activities. About five million are working age adults and about half a million are children under age 18. They are primarily cared for at home by an estimated 18 million family caregivers, the majority of whom are women. According to one survey, 54% care for their spouses, 21% care for their parents, and 17% care for their children. Over half of them are employed full time. While most report feelings ranging from anger to guilt to frustration to depression, most all believe that through the caregiving experience they have found inner strength they never knew they had.

You are important
As a family caregiver, there is no one who can do the job you do. Your emotional bond with your loved one makes your relationship special. It cannot be duplicated even though others can provide important services. Your willingness to take on the enormous responsibility of caring for another human being shows an uncommon level of character and compassion. Even though your job is difficult and often seems thankless, you are a role model for everyone who comes in contact with you.

If everyone could make a difference in just one person's life, as you are, the world would be a much better place. As you work to provide care for another, make sure you take time to take care of yourself -- because you are important.

How are you doing?
The biggest mistake a family caregiver makes is usually not involved with patient care -- it involves self care. Family caregivers often don't allow themselves the breaks they need. Sometimes they take the caregiving burden solely on their own shoulders even when there are sources of help. They may wait for others to volunteer to help. When no one does, stress increases and important relationships become strained.

If you've taken on the role of caregiver, pay careful attention to your own well-being: mental, physical, and emotional. When you ask yourself the question, "How am I doing?" and the answer is "Not very well," it's time to get help. You should also be on the lookout for these signs of caregiver burnout:

  • Not eating properly
  • Becoming more emotional
  • Feeling overwhelmed
  • Starting to withdraw
  • Interacting less with peers
  • Having less mental focus at work
  • Having a disheveled unkept appearance

Despite the best of intentions, family caregivers can cause harm to their loved ones and to themselves. It is best to get information and, if possible, training in providing basic care. Basic categories include activities of daily living such as bathing, dressing, feeding, toileting, grooming, transfers (bed to wheelchair, etc) and others. If caregiving involves giving medications, operating or maintaining medical devices, or monitoring physical signs and symptoms, proper training is essential. Caregivers may also want to know CPR. It is also a good idea to learn about any basic adaptations that would make the home living environment safer or easier to live in.

In addition to caregiving functions involving the activities of daily living, people needing care (as well as their caregivers) can benefit greatly from various activities such as --

  • Conversation and socialization
  • Music
  • Life recall and life planning
  • Physical activity/movement
  • Contributions to family, home, and community
  • Activities
  • Some patience and planning in these areas can pay off in a better life for everyone.

The Top 10 Need of Family Caregivers
  • Information about community resources
  • Help with feeling of resentment and guilt
  • Help with dealing with patient's feelings of loneliness and depression
  • Information about the patient's diagnosis and prognosis
  • Respite care. A break from caregiving
  • Diet and nutrition information
  • Information about where to get legal advice
  • Help with housekeeping, cooking, and house and lawn maintenance
  • Spiritual comfort
  • The promise that someone else cares about and supports their caregiving work

Finding the help you need

Take a "tour" of your phone book and Yellow Pages and see what you can find out by talking to:
  • Home health agencies
  • Local social service agencies
  • Local Area Agencies on Aging
  • Area churches
  • Local support groups - Disease specific such as Parkisions Association, Alzheimer's Association
  • Nursing homes
  • Nursing homes that offer short-term stays
  • Adult day care centers
  • Hospice

Some other sources of information*

Families USA Foundation
1334 G Street, NW
Washington, DC 20005

The Center for Applied Gerontology
3003 West Touhy
Chicago, IL 60645
(312) 508-1075

The National Family Caregivers Association
9621 East Bexhill Dr.
Kensington, MD 20895-3104
1-800-896-3650

Check in your bookstore for books such as --
Helping Yourself Help Others: A Book for Caregivers

*Inclusion on this brief list does not represent an endorsement of any kind.
Copyright © Indiana Association for the Home & Hospice Care ® All Rights Reserved.​
  • About
    • About Us
    • Our Team
    • Board of Directors
    • IHHC Foundation
    • Code of Ethics
    • Contact Us
  • Membership
    • Join >
      • Join
      • Associate Members
      • What Members are Saying
    • Members Only
    • Membership Application
    • Advocacy & Action
    • Education Resources
    • Leadership & Committees
  • Community
    • Member Directory
    • Find a Member
    • Coupons and Discounts
    • Community Resources
    • In-Kind Donation
    • Rent Space at IAHHC
    • News
  • Calendar
    • 2023 Annual Conference
    • Online Event Registration
    • 2023 Calendar Download
  • Advertising Opportunities
    • iWeekly Advertisment
    • IAHHC Website
    • Sponsor Zoom, Hybrid Event, IAHHC Room
    • Sponsor an IAHHC Class
  • IAHHC Career Center