Learn more about CFSS in Minnesota
Have you recently made the decision to become a caregiver for a loved one? Your choice didn’t come easily, and while your new role offers many rewards, you’re also going to face unexpected challenges and emotions along the way.
At Best Care, a Minnesota home care agency, we’re committed to helping family caregivers and Personal Care Assistants (PCA) find the support, education, training, and resources they need to provide the absolute best home care services possible.
To help you on your new journey, here are five first-time caregiving tips to incorporate into your new routine:
You already love this person, but this new client/family caregiver relationship is going to take work.
Caregiving Tips #1: Be intentional about your efforts to connect with a loved one. Try minimizing unnecessary distractions like TV and cell phone usage. Instead make physical contact a part of your daily cares, and always remember to maintain a gentle demeanor in everything you do.
As you begin providing for the well-being of another individual, it’s essential that you stay organized and on schedule.
Caregiving Tip #2: Try using a calendar app to set reminders for items, such as when to administer medications and contact healthcare providers for appointments. At Best Care, we offer employee digital timesheets, so you can easily access, complete, and electronically sign your timesheet right from a smartphone for added convenience.
You’ll soon find that caregiving responsibilities may start to isolate you from your favorite activities or friends. Seek out people or organizations that can provide PCA help and support, as well as a sounding board for your new role.
Caregiving Tip #3: Surround yourself with others who understand what it’s like to be a family caregiver. Once you identify that support system, you’ll find the freedom to discuss your concerns openly with people who understand and can help you discover effective coping strategies.
Caring for a loved one can be overwhelming and even a thankless job, at times. It’s important to set-up healthy boundaries, so your mental and physical health doesn’t deteriorate.
Caregiving Tip #4: Don’t overcommit yourself or put strain on your body that could harm you or limit your abilities to provide adequate care. Seek help from other family members and schedule periods of respite care, so you can properly rejuvenate your mind and body. If you’re not sure how to secure respite care, reach out to Best Care for help.
In addition to professional caregiver training, make it a habit to conduct your own research to learn more about your new profession.
Caregiving Tip #5: Research the health conditions that are affecting your loved one. And don’t be afraid to ask other family caregivers for advice. At Best Care, we provide free resources through our blog and social media channels. We aim to be your trusted source of reliable, up-to-date information.
Thank you for making the loving decision to become a family caregiver! Trust Best Care to help you along your new journey. If you’re looking for a PCA home care agency that treats its employees with respect and dignity, contact us for help.
