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Cuidados2025-02-27T13:53:01+00:00

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Caregiving is a careful balancing act of taking care of someone they love, while keeping themselves mentally,
physically and emotionally healthy as well. If you’re a caregiver, don’t forget to take care of yourself. We
know: This is easier said than done.

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Caregiving is a careful balancing act of taking care of someone they love, while keeping themselves mentally, physically and emotionally healthy as well. If you’re a caregiver, don’t forget to take care of yourself. We know: This is easier said than done.

“There are only four kinds of people in this world: those who have been caregivers, those who currently are caregivers, those who will be caregivers, and those who will need caregivers.” -Rosalyn Carter

Caregivers often face the challenging emotions of fear and helplessness, and they may also feel inadequate. However not all caregiving experiences are negative. Caregiving can also lead to closer relationships and a stronger connection to family, community, and religious beliefs.

“There are only four kinds of people in this world: those who have been caregivers, those who currently are caregivers, those who will be caregivers, and those who will need caregivers.” -Rosalyn Carter

Caregivers often face the challenging emotions of fear and helplessness, and they may also feel inadequate. However not all caregiving experiences are negative. Caregiving can also lead to closer relationships and a stronger connection to family, community, and religious beliefs.

A Caregiving Reality

A report from a poll by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research (AP-NORC) demonstrated that caregivers of patients age 65 or older are skipping out on their own health care needs. The poll included over 1,000 interviews and utilized a nationally representative sample of American adults who consider themselves long-term caregivers.

According to the poll:

  • 8 in 10 caregivers pay for costs associated with caregiving out of their own pockets
  • ¼ have reduced how much money they save for their personal retirement as a result of caregiving expenses
  • ¼ say caregiving makes it hard to manage their own health
  • Only 54% have a plan in place for who would provide care if they were no longer able to
  • 63% cope with difficult caregiving situations through prayer or meditation; 44% sleep less, and 17% drink more alcohol
  • Close to 75% of caregivers over age 40 report feelings of loneliness.
  • 90%, of caregivers accompany the patient to the medical appointment, and 70% of those people go into the exam room
  • Less than 1/4 of caregivers have talked to their personal doctors about the role they’re playing as a caregiver. However, of that group, ¾ of them received guidance on how to make sure their needs are met.

A Caregiving Reality

A report from a poll by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research (AP-NORC) demonstrated that caregivers of patients age 65 or older are skipping out on their own health care needs. The poll included over 1,000 interviews and utilized a nationally representative sample of American adults who consider themselves long-term caregivers.

According to the poll:

  • 8 in 10 caregivers pay for costs associated with caregiving out of their own pockets
  • ¼ have reduced how much money they save for their personal retirement as a result of caregiving expenses
  • ¼ say caregiving makes it hard to manage their own health
  • Only 54% have a plan in place for who would provide care if they were no longer able to
  • 63% cope with difficult caregiving situations through prayer or meditation; 44% sleep less, and 17% drink more alcohol
  • Close to 75% of caregivers over age 40 report feelings of loneliness.
  • 90%, of caregivers accompany the patient to the medical appointment, and 70% of those people go into the exam room
  • Less than 1/4 of caregivers have talked to their personal doctors about the role they’re playing as a caregiver. However, of that group, ¾ of them received guidance on how to make sure their needs are met.

Apoyo al cuidador

As any caregiver can attest, being a caregiver is a role that has come out of necessity. But the reality is that caregiving is exhausting. It’s mentally taxing. It’s stressful.

By keeping a positive attitude, caregivers are able to pull and hold together everyday life. Theirs is an important job, and they’re not seeking accolades or praise. They are trying to keep their family together, while keeping themselves glued together as well.

Caregivers provide support, but also caregivers need support. Most caregivers think, “I can handle it,” but you need help too.

Here’s a few ideas on how to offer support to a caregiver:

Registro de entrada2024-12-26T16:00:27+00:00

A lot of people will be texting caregivers about how the patients are doing. But caregivers need checked on, too. Call, text, or write a note or message to comfort a caregiver. Let them know you see THEM, and remind them that they’re not alone.

Also: Plan some fun for them! Give them a break and a night out where cancer isn’t a topic of conversation.

Transporte2024-12-26T15:59:21+00:00

If you’re close with the patient, caregivers may appreciate a break from the driving or appointments. Offer to drive the patient to a chemo appointment and sit with them, if the caregiver is open to it. You could also help with carpool if kids are involved.

Tareas domésticas2024-12-26T15:58:35+00:00

Caregivers are often the ones who are physically able to keep a household going. This looks like everything from laundry to mowing to cleaning. Offer a helping hand around the house:

  • Mow the lawn or pay for someone to do the yardwork for them.
  • Help clean the house or offer to send a cleaner
  • Help with laundry or line up a laundry service. This can look like doing the washing, folding, or put away laundry.
  • Are you handy, or know a handyman? Offer to come over and help change lightbulbs, fix squeaky doors, repair leaking toilets, and other odd jobs.
Comidas2024-12-26T15:57:28+00:00

La mayor parte de la planificación de las comidas, la preparación de los alimentos, la compra y la cocina recae en los cuidadores. Esta es una forma fácil de ayudar. Algunas ideas:

  • Encarga la compra y que te la entreguen en la puerta (no pidas a un cuidador que te envíe una lista a menos que ambos hayáis acordado que esto sería útil para él... sólo envíale los productos básicos para que sea una cosa menos de la que tenga que preocuparse).
  • Prepare un tren de comidas para la familia
  • Coordinar Meals on Wheels si el paciente es una persona mayor.
  • Prepárese comidas para congelar
  • Envía una tarjeta regalo de Door Dash (o de cualquier servicio de comida a domicilio)

Apoyo al cuidador

As any caregiver can attest, being a caregiver is a role that has come out of necessity. But the reality is that caregiving is exhausting. It’s mentally taxing. It’s stressful.

By keeping a positive attitude, caregivers are able to pull and hold together everyday life. Theirs is an important job, and they’re not seeking accolades or praise. They are trying to keep their family together, while keeping themselves glued together as well.

Caregivers provide support, but also caregivers need support. Most caregivers think, “I can handle it,” but you need help too.

Here’s a few ideas on how to offer support to a caregiver:

Registro de entrada2024-12-26T16:00:27+00:00

A lot of people will be texting caregivers about how the patients are doing. But caregivers need checked on, too. Call, text, or write a note or message to comfort a caregiver. Let them know you see THEM, and remind them that they’re not alone.

Also: Plan some fun for them! Give them a break and a night out where cancer isn’t a topic of conversation.

Transporte2024-12-26T15:59:21+00:00

If you’re close with the patient, caregivers may appreciate a break from the driving or appointments. Offer to drive the patient to a chemo appointment and sit with them, if the caregiver is open to it. You could also help with carpool if kids are involved.

Tareas domésticas2024-12-26T15:58:35+00:00

Caregivers are often the ones who are physically able to keep a household going. This looks like everything from laundry to mowing to cleaning. Offer a helping hand around the house:

  • Mow the lawn or pay for someone to do the yardwork for them.
  • Help clean the house or offer to send a cleaner
  • Help with laundry or line up a laundry service. This can look like doing the washing, folding, or put away laundry.
  • Are you handy, or know a handyman? Offer to come over and help change lightbulbs, fix squeaky doors, repair leaking toilets, and other odd jobs.
Comidas2024-12-26T15:57:28+00:00

La mayor parte de la planificación de las comidas, la preparación de los alimentos, la compra y la cocina recae en los cuidadores. Esta es una forma fácil de ayudar. Algunas ideas:

  • Encarga la compra y que te la entreguen en la puerta (no pidas a un cuidador que te envíe una lista a menos que ambos hayáis acordado que esto sería útil para él... sólo envíale los productos básicos para que sea una cosa menos de la que tenga que preocuparse).
  • Prepare un tren de comidas para la familia
  • Coordinar Meals on Wheels si el paciente es una persona mayor.
  • Prepárese comidas para congelar
  • Envía una tarjeta regalo de Door Dash (o de cualquier servicio de comida a domicilio)

Taking Care of You

It is really difficult to find a few minutes, much less a few hours, to take care of yourself. But caregiving is very much like being a passenger on a plane where you need an oxygen mask: You need to take care of yourself before you can take care of others. You don’t want to suffer from caregiver burnout.

  • You and your family have been through trauma. Consider seeing a counselor to help you process and work through the traumatic event.
  • Keep up with your own doctor appointments, exams, and health screenings. Don’t put them off or cancel them because of the patient. YOU are a priority, too.
  • Do what brings you joy, and don’t feel guilty about it.
  • Accept help even though it may feel strange or uncomfortable.
  • Take a break. Seriously: It’s OK. Let someone else step in for a night, a day, or a weekend.

Taking Care of You

It is really difficult to find a few minutes, much less a few hours, to take care of yourself. But caregiving is very much like being a passenger on a plane where you need an oxygen mask: You need to take care of yourself before you can take care of others. You don’t want to suffer from caregiver burnout.

  • You and your family have been through trauma. Consider seeing a counselor to help you process and work through the traumatic event.
  • Keep up with your own doctor appointments, exams, and health screenings. Don’t put them off or cancel them because of the patient. YOU are a priority, too.
  • Do what brings you joy, and don’t feel guilty about it.
  • Accept help even though it may feel strange or uncomfortable.
  • Take a break. Seriously: It’s OK. Let someone else step in for a night, a day, or a weekend.

How to Provide Care

This will look different for every patient and every caregiver, but knowing how to effectively provide care will help both you, the caregiver, and your patient navigate this process more comfortably while hopefully providing higher quality care.

Here are some tips by caregivers, for caregivers:

Talk to your loved one’s physicians about what side effects you can expect to see, how best to manage them, and when to seek medical attention for severe symptoms. Knowing what to expect can help ease anxiety and confusion once you start seeing side effects, and can prevent unnecessary trips to the clinic or emergency room.
Who pays the bills in the family, and how are they paid? Make sure you have logins, passwords, due dates, and any other information you might need to take over the financial aspects of the household. Compiling all this information in an easy to find place can help ease the transition and prevent late charges, last-minute panic, and disruptions in essential services, like electricity or internet.
Caregiving is a full-time job, on top of your already busy life. Learn to recognize the symptoms of caregiver burnout and address them before it’s too late. Take a break if you need it, reach out to friends and family to help provide care. You are not the only one who can help your patient, and you don’t need to feel guilty about managing your own health.
Have you ever had someone ask ,“How can I help you?” only to find yourself overwhelmed at the question and unable to provide an answer? Create a list of things that would be helpful to you and make copies. When someone asks how they can help, provide the list and let them go wild. People want to help but often don’t know how, making it easy for them can also make things easier for you.
If the person you’re providing care for wants a break and wants to take care of themselves for a bit, let them. This can provide a break for you, which can prevent burnout, and can provide a sense of self-reliance and independence for the patient, something they may be desperately missing in their day-to-day life.
If you’re inclined to be a “fixer,” it’s important to recognize that you won’t always have all the answers. Sometimes, people may just want to vent, complain, or air out their frustrations – they aren’t necessarily looking for you to fix their problems, they’re looking for someone to listen to them and commiserate with. Keep your ears open, be understanding, and let them vent when needed.
You can’t do this alone, so don’t be afraid to ask for help. Reach out to friends and family, and utilize the resources available through the hospital or clinic where treatment is being given. Ask nurses and doctors for caregiving tips and tricks they may have picked up over the years. Advocate for yourself and your loved one, and don’t be afraid to speak up when you need assistance.

How to Provide Care

This will look different for every patient and every caregiver, but knowing how to effectively provide care will help both you, the caregiver, and your patient navigate this process more comfortably while hopefully providing higher quality care.

Here are some tips by caregivers, for caregivers:

Talk to your loved one’s physicians about what side effects you can expect to see, how best to manage them, and when to seek medical attention for severe symptoms. Knowing what to expect can help ease anxiety and confusion once you start seeing side effects, and can prevent unnecessary trips to the clinic or emergency room.
Who pays the bills in the family, and how are they paid? Make sure you have logins, passwords, due dates, and any other information you might need to take over the financial aspects of the household. Compiling all this information in an easy to find place can help ease the transition and prevent late charges, last-minute panic, and disruptions in essential services, like electricity or internet.
Caregiving is a full-time job, on top of your already busy life. Learn to recognize the symptoms of caregiver burnout and address them before it’s too late. Take a break if you need it, reach out to friends and family to help provide care. You are not the only one who can help your patient, and you don’t need to feel guilty about managing your own health.
Have you ever had someone ask ,“How can I help you?” only to find yourself overwhelmed at the question and unable to provide an answer? Create a list of things that would be helpful to you and make copies. When someone asks how they can help, provide the list and let them go wild. People want to help but often don’t know how, making it easy for them can also make things easier for you.
If the person you’re providing care for wants a break and wants to take care of themselves for a bit, let them. This can provide a break for you, which can prevent burnout, and can provide a sense of self-reliance and independence for the patient, something they may be desperately missing in their day-to-day life.
If you’re inclined to be a “fixer,” it’s important to recognize that you won’t always have all the answers. Sometimes, people may just want to vent, complain, or air out their frustrations – they aren’t necessarily looking for you to fix their problems, they’re looking for someone to listen to them and commiserate with. Keep your ears open, be understanding, and let them vent when needed.
You can’t do this alone, so don’t be afraid to ask for help. Reach out to friends and family, and utilize the resources available through the hospital or clinic where treatment is being given. Ask nurses and doctors for caregiving tips and tricks they may have picked up over the years. Advocate for yourself and your loved one, and don’t be afraid to speak up when you need assistance.
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