As defined by Webster’s Dictionary, a caregiver is a person who provides direct care (as for children, elderly people, or the chronically ill). In general, a caregiver helps another individual with an impairment with his or her activities of daily living. Any person with a health impairment might use caregiving services to address their difficulties. Typical duties of a caregiver might include taking care of someone who has a chronic illness or disease; managing medications or talk to doctors and nurses on someone’s behalf; helping to bathe or dress someone who is frail or disabled; or taking care of household chores, meals, or bills for someone who cannot do these things alone. When someone close to us begins to face the realities of an advancing illness, many of us will begin to define ourselves as caregivers. In a very real sense it is a heroic role and a truly demanding role. We all have the best intentions when taking on the role of caregiver for a loved one facing advanced illness. In many ways it is a gift we can give them, one that demonstrates our compassion, love, concern and connections. It also lets us as caregivers feel that we have some sense of control, that we took an active role and did our part. In reality, caring for someone facing a life-limited illness is not easy. Caring for yourself is just as important as the care the patient receives. Remember, the care that you give your loved one suffers if you are not in the best possible place, both physically and mentally. It is vital that you remain healthy and able to provide your loved one with the best care you can and that begins with taking care of you. At Hospice of Montgomery we have found that many caregivers become so absorbed with meeting the patient’s needs that they neglect their own. Whether you realize it or not, when you become a caregiver you are living someone’s illness. Without an occasional break from the routine of caring for the patient, you may become very stressed and/or susceptible to other problems. Many experts in caregiving advise
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that if you’ve been caring for a loved one more than a month or two that it is time to consider respite care. If friends or family are telling you that you need to take a break they most likely see the toll your role as caregiver has taken. When people ask family caregivers, “What can I do to help?” many caregivers don’t know how to answer. You may admittedly be feeling overwhelmed with juggling work, children, and the responsibilities of your own home while caring for a loved one with an advanced illness. But moving from feeling overwhelmed to actually accepting help is often something many of us never do. With the end goal of ensuring the best possible care for your loved one, support from others is important. The hospice team can provide this support. Hospice of Montgomery has trained volunteers who are able to come in and assist the caregiver with errands, chores, cooking, etc. Caring for a loved one who is seriously ill can be very hard work. You can only do this work if you take time to care for yourself and letting someone run errands for you is a good way to begin accepting help. When a loved one is dying, you can find yourself pushed into the role of being a caregiver. Many times you don’t know what is expected of you and you find that you have little or no preparation for the challenges you are confronting. Hospice provides professionals such as a chaplain, social workers, and bereavement specialists who have experience addressing the needs of patients and families. The caregiver and family are taught about the patients care, but are also provided emotional and spiritual support, addressing the needs of the patient and family. Some of the ways Hospice of Montgomery
• Educational materials and manual for families and caregivers • Home Health Aids- allowing the caregiver a break • Volunteer companions • Chaplain services • Bereavement Programindividual and group grief counseling Hospice of Montgomery does not limit their grief counseling to families and patients. One-on-one or support group counseling is available to anyone within the community grieving a loss. You may have had a conversation about hospice with your loved one’s physician, or heard about hospice from a friend. As you consider hospice, it will help to understand how hospice can support the many needs of your loved one and what support can be offered to you and the rest of your family. Imagine a team of individuals dedicated to providing the best care possible while ensuring no one in the family feels completely overwhelmed or like they are facing this struggle alone. Hospice of Montgomery will be with you every step of the way. Just as the hospice team is there to help care for your loved one, they will be there for you, and your entire family. For more information designed specifically to help individuals facing a serious illness and their loved ones gain resources and information, visit hospiceofmontgomery. org or simply call us at 334-279-6677. Hospice of Montgomery would love to talk to you about why we are the River Region’s most family-referred hospice. Make a Difference Today, Make it Hospice of Montgomery!
Alabama’s First Hospice. Still Local. Still Non-Profit. R ive r Re gio n Bo o m . co m
June 2015
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