5 Things Every Caregiver Needs

Today, I want to talk about the five things I believe every caregiver should have. This list includes a combination of emotional support and tangible items that have the potential to make life a whole lot easier and a lot more enjoyable. I know they have really helped me in the 30+ years I have been a caregiver, so hopefully they can help you too.  So, let’s get started.

The first thing I believe every caregiver needs is a good play list, made up of songs that lift your mood, songs you can work out too, songs you can clean too, and songs you can dance too. If you know a little about me, you might be aware that I’ve been singing in choir and on worship teams for the greater part of my life and that has really opened my eyes to the transformative power of music. There are songs, both secular and spiritual in nature, that really do lift my spirits and make me feel happier, even when I am having a particularly difficult day. For that reason alone, I think having a positive and uplifting play list has the potential to make a profound difference in helping caregivers to manage stress.

The next thing I believe every caregiver needs is at least one self-care practice that makes you feel your absolute best. From quarterly salon visits to monthly massages, mani/pedis with the girls or a gym membership to build strength, choose at least one self-care practice that serves only you. If money is tight, set aside time for just yourself and spend your “me time” however you see fit, but spend it solely on yourself. Because caregivers notoriously leave so little time for themselves, this is your opportunity to do something just for you. I find this practice of self-care to be a significant asset in helping me retain a strong sense of self.

The next thing I believe caregivers should have is an emergency plan. As we all know, everything can change in a moment’s notice, and we need to be prepared for what will happen to our loved one if we are suddenly unable to care for them. A well-written emergency plan, much like a will, will convey your wishes if you become unable to speak for yourself. A good emergency plan will communicate who needs to be called and what needs to happen regarding your loved one. It states who will be stepping into the caregiver position in the interim, who will operate as your loved ones Power of Attorney, who will be their medical surrogate, their representative payee and more. This document is truly invaluable. Once written store your emergency plan someplace safe yet readily accessible. I keep mine in our medical records binders. Which leads me to our next item on the list.

The next thing all caregivers need are impeccably organized medical records. I know that with everything you may have going on, this may sound daunting and unattainable but hear me out. Years ago, I created a medical records binder for each member of my family. Those binders have proven themselves to be worth their weight in gold in emergency situations, during Dr’s visits, and for the rare weekend get-a-ways with my husband. With well-kept records that include a diagnosis, daily schedule, a list of all medications, doctors, and food preferences, the person caring for our sons have been able to slip right into place without additional stress being placed on the temporary caregiver. Good records have, quite literally, transformed our lives.

Finally, every caregiver needs a good support system. They need to surround themselves with supportive family and friends who can help them to meet the myriad of social, emotional, and physical needs that will spring up in the caregivers high stress lifestyle. A good support network will look different for each person but should fit the social/emotional needs of each individual caregiver. For example, I have close friends who are also parents of special needs children. While our children are different, we share many of the same experiences in parenting. I also attend a support group meeting once a month where I can connect with other caregivers at various stages in their caregiving journey. Allowing us to learn and grow together. I have also cultivated a spiritual practice, that supports and uplifts me every single day of my life. It is this faith relationship that most provides me with the peace I so desperately seek.     

And there you have it, those are the five things that I think every caregiver should have. Let me know in the comments below if there’s anything I haven’t covered that really helps you as a caregiver because I would love to hear from you and get inspired to grow my own skills. As always, thank you so much for stopping by.