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    • PREVENTION STRATEGIES

    PREVENTION STRATEGIES:  CAREGIVERS

    Caring for an older person can be a physical, emotional and mentally demanding task, especially if the patient is a parent, spouse or relative.  It is a task that requires a lot of time, patience and love. 

    The concern of family and friends is usually for the patient, seldom the caregiver.   Adequate training can make the task of caring much easier, e.g. knowing the right way to handle the patient or understanding the illness and how it will progress.  Joining a support group for instance can be of immense benefit to both caregiver and patient.

    Frequently caregivers neglect themselves in order to give their patient the best care possible, and this can ultimately lead to inadequate care and, sadly, elder abuse.

    Use the following questionnaire as a guideline to assess whether, as a caregiver, you should reconsider your support systems or seek professional help.
    Do you feel comfortable about caring for your patient or do you feel that training might make your task easier?  If so, do you know how and where to access it?
    Do you get sufficient rest?  Do you ever have some time to yourself?
    Are you in good health?  When last did you have a check-up?
    Are you eating a balanced diet, having regular meals?
    How do you cope with stress?  Do you have someone to talk to about it?  Do you turn to alcohol or drugs to help you to cope?
    Do you have everything that you need for your patient?  Is medical help easily accessible?
    Is the person that you are caring for very demanding or is he/she ever abusive towards you in any way?
    Do you have a support system to relieve you of your duties if you are ever ill or in need of a break?  Do other family members form part of your support system?
    If you are caring for a family member do problems within the family make your task more difficult?   If so, how do you cope with these?
    Are you dependent on family or the patient for an income?
    Do you face resentment from a spouse because of your caring duties?
    Are you resentful about being a caregiver?   Can you express your feelings and to whom?
    Do you belong to a support group?
    Have you ever felt negative towards the person that you are caring for, or felt that you could become abusive towards them?
    Are you embarrassed or ashamed to ask for help or to admit that you cannot cope?