Being a primary caregiver for an aging loved one isn’t the easiest role, and it comes with many challenges, such as the risk of isolation and poor physical health. It’s important for caregivers to maintain personal interests and relationships to prevent burnout. Many friends of family caregivers drift away because they don’t know how to show their support. Here are some of the ways you can show support for a caregiver friend.
Stay in Touch
Whether you send a weekly email or text message or reach out via video chat, it’s important to stay in touch with your caregiver friend. Family caregivers often lose touch with their close friends due to the lack of free time. Their caregiving schedules and work commitments leave little time for social outings, but having someone to talk to is extremely important for caregivers. Make it a priority to call and check on your caregiver friend, even if you can only talk for a few minutes. Sending positive messages and keeping the lines of communication open can boost your friend’s mental and emotional health.
Caring for senior loved ones can be challenging for families who don’t have expertise or professional training in home care, but this challenge doesn’t have to be faced alone. Family caregivers can turn to Home Care Assistance for the help they need. We provide high-quality live-in and respite care as well as comprehensive Alzheimer’s, dementia, stroke, and Parkinson’s care.
Don’t Judge the Caregiver
When it comes to discussing your caregiver friend’s role, be respectful with your comments. Remember being a caregiver is your friend’s decision, and you’ll need to respect that choice, even if you don’t agree. When your friend shares challenging stories, offer moral support and try not to be condescending and judgmental. You may never truly know what your friend is going through unless you become a family caregiver as well, so refrain from negatively commenting on situations you don’t understand.
Provide Hands-On Help
It’s common for family caregivers to need assistance with their daily duties, which is where you can step in. Take on a task or two and give your caregiver friend time to rest and relax. You can also run some of your friend’s errands, such as doing his or her grocery shopping or picking up lawn care supplies. If you don’t have the time to devote to these tasks, consider giving the gift of respite care. With this service, a professional caregiver will come in and help with caregiving tasks, making it easier for your friend without compromising his or her aging parent’s care.
Montgomery respite care professionals can assist seniors with a wide array of daily tasks, offering family caregivers the chance to focus on other personal responsibilities or take a break to prevent burnout. Whether it’s for a few hours a day or a few days a week, respite care is the perfect solution for family caregivers who are feeling overwhelmed.
Show Appreciation
Get together with some of your friends and plan a dinner or special gathering in honor of your caregiver friend. The objective of the outing is to show your friend how much he or she is appreciated. Many family caregivers fail to receive the praise they need from their families and senior loved ones, but as a friend, you can show your gratitude. Choose one of your friend’s favorite restaurants or purchase tickets to see his or her favorite music group. Make arrangements with your friend’s family members ahead of time to ensure he or she is able to attend the gathering.
If you’re the primary family caregiver for an elderly loved one and need additional assistance providing high-quality at-home care, Montgomery Home Care Assistance can help. We are a leading home care agency committed to changing the way seniors age. Home Care Assistance can be your trusted partner in caregiving for your aging loved one. Contact one of our experienced Care Managers today at (334) 593-3988 to learn more about our reliable in-home care services.