5 Ways to Support Your Caregiver Friend

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How to Support Your Caregiver Friend in calgary, CA

Good friends know when to step up and help out, even during stressful situations. You must be that good friend when someone you know is caring for a senior parent. In many instances, your friendship may be precisely what this person needs to stay mentally and physically sharp. Below are some ways you can be a true friend to someone who has assumed the role of a family caregiver.

1. Include Your Friend on the Invitation List

There may be times when your friend can step away and meet up with you and others, but there will also be instances when he or she has to say no to an invite. However, you should never exclude your caregiver friend from the invitation list, even if you know he or she cannot attend. If your friend finds out about a gathering or special event and doesn’t receive an invitation, it could hurt his or her feelings.

2. Help with Caregiving Tasks

Although your friend may not want you to do anything strenuous or take on tasks that make you feel uncomfortable, he or she may appreciate it when you run an errand and free up some of his or her time. For example, you could stop by the grocery store to pick up some items for your friend or drop his or her mail off at the post office. If you’re near the local pharmacy, it would be a good idea to see if your friend needs you to pick up a prescription for his or her loved one. Other caregiver tasks you can assist with include doing household chores, preparing meals, picking up takeout, and providing transportation for your friend’s parent. 

Caring for senior loved ones can be challenging for families who don’t have expertise or professional training in home care, but this challenge doesn’t have to be faced alone. Family caregivers can turn to Home Care Assistance for the help they need. We provide high-quality live-in and respite care as well as comprehensive Alzheimer’s, dementia, stroke, and Parkinson’s care.

3. Purchase Fun Gifts

Most family caregivers take on the role without being paid for their services. They dedicate countless time and resources to ensure their loved ones are safe and happy. Giving your caregiver friend a gift card for a movie theater, local restaurant, spa or beauty salon, or clothing store can be a great way to show support. Receiving gift cards could make him or her feel appreciated. Keep your friend’s preferences in mind to ensure he or she uses the gift.

4. Just Listen

Merely listening to your friend talk about his or her caregiving experience could enhance his or her mood and provide a sense of relief. The challenges associated with caring for a loved one can make your friend feel exhausted and stressed out. Keeping those emotions bottled inside can lead to depression and other mental or emotional issues. However, being able to speak with you honestly and openly without the fear of guilt or shame could reduce anxiety and enhance his or her thought process. As a genuine friend, it would be best if you listen and only speak when your caregiver friend asks a question or needs verbal reassurance.

For many families, caring for senior loved ones can sometimes be overwhelming. Fortunately, compassionate help is available. Calgary in-home care experts are available to provide high-quality care to seniors on an as-needed basis. From assistance with mobility and exercise to providing transportation to the doctor’s office and social events, there are a variety of ways professional caregivers can help aging adults continue to live independently.

5. Don’t Add More Responsibility

Your friend may spend so much time between work and caregiving that he or she misses out on regular outings. As a true friend, never take things personally, and give your friend the space he or she deserves. If you need assistance or have a problem, it would be best to find another solution. Adding more responsibility could harm your friend’s mental and physical health and increase the risk of caregiver burnout.

Whether family caregivers need respite from their caregiving duties or their loved ones need live-in care, Calgary, Alberta, Home Care Assistance can meet their families’ care needs. Our dedicated caregivers are available around the clock to provide transportation to doctor’s appointments, ensure seniors take their prescribed medications, and help with a variety of tasks in and outside the home. Call one of our dedicated Care Managers today at 403-301-3777 to learn about the high quality of our in-home care services.

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