5 Easy Ways to help the Caregiver

Almost everyone knows a caregiver or someone who takes care of a loved one in their own home. With the cost of hospitals and nursing care skyrocketing, many families have a Mom, Dad, Brother, Sister, or other loved one taking care of a family member at home.

My Mom passed away almost 6 years ago, so I’m no longer a caregiver. But I can still remember my very long list of ways that family and friends helped me– so that I could help my Mom.

As a caregiver, sometimes I would lie awake at night too exhausted to sleep. It’s not only the physical but the emotional stress that weighs down on the caregiver.  Here’s a very short list of how little it takes to help a caregiver you know.

5 Simple and Easy things that almost anyone can do whether they have 20 minutes to spare or half a day.

• 1.  Ask how I’m doing, then really listen without telling me how you would do it all differently.

• 2.  Once a month or so, bring a big pot of spaghetti for lunch, then sit down and enjoy it with me and Mom. She loves to chat.

• 3.  Once a month or so, make a big pot of spaghetti and invite Mom to your house for lunch. You can pick her up and bring her back within an hour. She seldom gets out and would love the ride, while I would enjoy the break.

• 4.  If you have the time, volunteer to play cards with Mom. She cheats to win but I laugh with her till my sides hurt every time we play cards.

• 5.  Try to think of something that I might need, since I feel guilty when I have to ask. For Certain, I would never ask for a hug– though that’s probably what I need most.

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