Top Caregiver Tips from Those with Big Hearts and Happy Clients
Caregivers may be family members, friends, volunteers, or employees of a home health care agency.
Caring for an adult in their home can be challenging. So many emotions can entangle this relationship.
By following the caregiver tips discussed below, you may find ways to help provide better care for yourself, loved one, or client.
Essential Caregiver Tips
Taking on the role of caregiver can be rewarding, but exhausting. Remember to ask for help and take care of yourself. Here are some steps to guide you in the caregiver role.
Respect Their Independence Within Safety Bounds
Losing one’s independence can be devastating. Several strategies help to maintain an individual’s self-respect.
Create a safe environment so they can move about with decreased risk.
Have 2 to 3 outfits that the client can choose from.
Consider changing clothes while using the toilet to decrease exhaustion.
Establish a daily routine that involves the client, such as hygiene, meal preparation, and exercise programs.
Establish a level-appropriate activity environment with puzzles, games, or reading.
Allow the individual to do things like brushing or combing their hair and brushing their teeth as they are able to do so.
Remember to give the person choices about what they would like to do.
Communicate
Communication provides the foundation for all relationships. As a caregiver, you must show compassion and trustworthiness. This open interaction will facilitate providing optimal care.
This relationship requires sharing personal information about body functions, pain, and feelings. This becomes more challenging when the individual has cognitive or speech impairment.
Talk with other team members to get tools like talking boards to help with communication. Ask for counselors to help with the client’s emotional problems.
Have a Buddy to Call When You Are Low on Patience
Providing care for a cognitively impaired person can cause frustration for the client and caregiver.
Try taking a step back and ask yourself if the individual must complete this task at this moment. If not, change subjects and come back to it. When it must be completed now, get help.
Recognize when you are feeling overwhelmed. Call a buddy to switch out with you for a while. This benefits you and your client.
Monitor Medication Intake
Documentation of all medication intake is essential. You can also record if the medication is not taken and the reason.
These records provide invaluable information for the physician in adjusting medications. Be sure to take the record for all doctor’s visits.
Monitor Nutrition
Medications, physical conditions, and mood can all affect appetite and taste. The client may complain that the food doesn’t taste good. They may request more seasoning due to diminished taste bud sensation.
It is important to follow any medical diets prescribed. You must also be creative with serving food. Many people do better with small frequent snacks as opposed to large meals.
Always ensure their diet is rich in fiber, calcium, Vitamins D and B12, and Potassium.
Ensure Safety
There are many simple things to do around the house to increase safety.
Install night lights in halls, rooms, kitchens, and bathrooms
Remove loose rugs
Tub chairs with rails can make bathing safer
Raised toilet seats with arm rails make it easier to get on and off the toilet
Wear socks or shoes with rubber grips to avoid slips
Properly use walkers, canes, and other assistive devices
Install handrails by all stairs
Safety is imperative. Elderly people who experience an injury are more susceptible to illnesses from which they may not recover.
Be a Compassionate Caregiver
Our site affords a wealth of information about caregiver tips. These ideas serve to make the relationship between you and your client the best it can be. Read more articles and get more ideas today.
