Contributors
Sometimes a professional carer can only assist for a short time and give you a bit of respite. What about when you don’t have him around or you have to caregive your loved one on your own?
Here are some tips from care provider Homage and its care professionals on some dos and don’ts of caregiving:
DO:
- Ask your loved ones what their hobbies are and participate with them.
- Offer a listening ear to them when they are feeling let down about their illness or any other feelings.
- Be patient and calm.
- Look after your own physical and mental well-being.
- Take time off from your caregiving duties such as blocking off time to engage in hobbies that take your mind off caregiving.
- Practise empathy with your loved ones.
- Look forward to the small positive things in your daily life, such as spending time with your children.
- Continue with any recommended care practices that the care professionals may have set for your loved one as this care plan could be part of his recovery process.
- Be accommodating and understand that each day will be different.
- Seek external support services that can help lift some of the burdens off your shoulders if you feel overwhelmed.
- Be mentally prepared that setbacks may happen.
- Care for your loved one like you would care for yourself.
DON’T:
- Over-persuade. Sometimes you might try to connect with your loved one but the person might not to be willing to, so do let it go. You can always try again at a later time.
- Stress over how your loved ones might react to you caring for them. Those with certain conditions like dementia might not be receptive towards having you around but you need to understand that they do not mean it.
- Feel bad that you can’t be there for your loved ones 100 percent of your time.
- Be afraid to say that you need help.
- Be resistant towards the introduction of recommended care practices by care professionals, if any.
** The article above was contributed by Homage care professionals including Salbeah Baharudin, Sheik Fauzmi Fauzul, Huilan Chung, Haneem Tahar, Lily Teh and Asy’ari Asni.
