Could you handle becoming a sudden caretaker for an elderly loved one?
When the phone rings after 10 pm, many of us may panic and think of “What if?” if we have an elderly loved one.
AARP’s recent article entitled “Becoming a ‘Sudden’ Caregiver of a Loved One,” says that for those who’ve gone, or will go, from “business-as-usual” one day into crisis the next, there’s no preparation, no time to think about what to do and how to act. These times can feel scary and unsafe, stressful and completely unfamiliar.
A primary challenge of being thrust into caregiving is that the caregiver and the care recipient often have different ideas of how much or what kind of care is needed. Those views don’t always mesh with reality. That’s especially true in the early days when the sudden caregiver needs to think and act like the ship’s captain—prepared to make the calls and be the final decision-maker. To address this, embrace your “inner general” and call upon your strength to make the right decisions for the family.
Next, decide who should be part of your inner circle, those to turn to if you need a “gut check.” You can make a list of why you lack natural talent. Perhaps it’s bookkeeping and dealing with the insurance company. Line up people who want to help and let them do it.
There are roughly 53 million caregivers in the U.S., each with their circumstance and situation. The essential journey of sudden caregiving is the same, whether it’s a child caring for a parent, a spouse caring for a spouse, or a caregiving situation with a child or sibling. Financial and psychological changes often are a part of this transformation. For instance, families that enjoy a dual-income may see one paycheck disappear when the focus shifts to caregiving. This leaves little time to prepare financial plans and dramatically disrupt budgets and savings.
About 10,000 people in the United States turn 65 years old every day, and for many, that age is a general turning point in the average health of the human body.
However, try to adopt the simple concept of keeping things “as normal as possible.” Providing caregiving for someone to a particular end (or over a long period) is a journey with crises and then periods of normalcy. You can bolster your resilience by anticipating that things will go upside down from time to time, but by actually living in the in-between. That mindset is a significant step forward in mental wellness for both the sudden caregiver and recipient.
Think of a road map that forms a continuous circle for caregivers as they move through all aspects of their journey:
- Map your journey (set goals and make hopeful plans)
- Be proactive
- Assemble your care team (include only trustworthy doers)
- Count your blessings and practice gratitude
- Remember to take care of yourself and find ways to prioritize your health; and
- Build resilience (seek the silver lining).
Sudden caregivers frequently are so focused on caring for their loved ones that they sacrifice their own needs and self-care. Such selfless focus can result in burnout and depression. Therefore, balance caregiving with regular exercise, a Mediterranean-inspired diet emphasizing fruits and vegetables, stress management techniques, such as mindfulness or yoga, seven to nine hours of quality sleep nightly, and supportive social relationships.
It can also provide a unique opportunity to grow in your ability to give and love and provide a special and cherished time as well.
Reference: AARP (Aug. 17, 2021) “Becoming a ‘Sudden’ Caregiver of a Loved One”
