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Advice to "New" Caregivers
- Learn about aging and the available services. Anticipate and develop awareness early. Allow your loved one to plan ahead, discuss changes and participate in decisions.
- If your loved one has a chronic illness, find out as much as you can about the disease. Contact a disease-related support group and get involved.
- Don't try to do everything yourself--set realistic limits--admit you are not superhuman.
- Find someone you can talk with and confide in. Seek the advice and guidance of aging professionals when necessary.
- Get away at times for your own well-being.
- Try not to carry guilt feelings--deal with them. Be confident with your decisions no matter what flack you get.
- Allow as much grace and pride with the elderly as possible; allow independence and include self-worth.
- Deal with the difficult times with humor; don't let it get you down.
- Realize the limitations of your relative--be patient, don't let memory deficits or their behavior bother you.
- Keep active.
