July 21, 2016

What a Family Caregiver Needs Most From Health Care Providers

When a loved one depends on a family member to be their eyes, ears and voice – that caregiver deserves and needs various aspects from their health care providers. Just as you would treat the patient, the caregiver is often in a difficult situation caring for their own family as well as their parent or other loved one and needs TLC as well.  Today’s Caregiver magazine recently posted the Top 10 Things a Caregiver Needs in this circumstance:

1. Attention: The caregiver’s loved one may be the 27th similar case you’ve seen today, but to the caregiver this is Mom or Dad, Sister or significant other.

2. Compassion: Be diligent in its application.

3. Time: A few moments of your undivided time is some of the strongest medicine you’ll ever administer — and it costs so very little.

4: Respect: The caregiver is also part-time bookkeeper, psychologist, dietitian, insurance and incontinence expert and a full time general in the war they are waging with an illness. They not only need your respect, they DESERVE it.

5: Dedication: Be relentless in your devotion to your craft. The caregiver has entrusted you with their most valuable asset – their loved one. You earn that trust with your skill, knowledge base and ability.

6: Honesty: The caregiver is your partner in this endeavor, they deserve (and can handle) the truth.

7: Prudence: The graceful administration of the truth is a true test of a caring professional.

8: Advocacy: Never accept less than the best your system has to offer their loved one.

9: Understanding: The caregiver plays a pivotal role in the well-being of your patient, understanding the needs, wishes and fears of the caregiver improves your patient’s care.

10: Your well-being: Know your emotional limit and learn when to ask for help. Your loved ones as well as the caregiver’s loved one need you to remain well.

UAMS Schmieding Home Caregiver Training program around the state offers family caregiver workshops on a regular basis to assist them when they need it most.  These workshops include basic caregiving skills as well as one on dementia. Contact us in Jonesboro at 870-207-7600 for more information or visit our upcoming events on this website.