1 in 6 people in India is a person above 60, so chances are that you or a person you know is a senior citizen. One thing that we know is that as we get older, everyday tasks become harder.
It is essential to get the help needed for senior citizens to assist them to maintain general hygiene and establish a daily routine once they approach retirement. This ‘help’ is referred to as Caregiving. Often family members are responsible for caregiving but if a senior has a serious illness that may require some external help.
Sometimes getting eternal help can be a difficult decision for the family, especially for the senior himself. This is because they do not want to sacrifice their esteem, dignity and privacy. A vital thing to keep in mind while making this decision is that: your senior is competent enough to make decisions like these!
Another important thing to note is that Caregivers set out to bring improvement in the lives of not just their patients but also their families. But, as wonderful as that sounds, caring for an ageing senior at home can be incredibly stressful and it is important to remember that you are a human and have limits too. Here is a simple guide that could help you navigate this journey with your seniors to make them feel loved and cared for.
- Compassion:
The first step to assisting a senior and helping them lead a better life is by showing compassion. This simply means to be able to identify when they’re distressed or bothered by something so that you can help them mitigate the feeling. It is a key that caregivers possess this skill as in situations where they deal with patients who cannot voice their concerns, they can immediately help them (recovery, memory loss, etc.). Thus, being caring and empathetic is an absolute must-have in terms of qualities for caregivers. Compassion may not carry the weight of clinical knowledge or CPR but it is an equally important skill for caregivers to have.
- Physical Strength & Stamina
Caregivers need to perform an array of physical tasks which include carrying their patient, performing light housekeeping and getting heavy groceries. Remember that as a caregiver you need to be constantly active and available during your shift which requires physical strength and stamina. Physical strength is also a deciding factor in many hiring decisions as most patients and their families consider this as an important trait for a caregiver to have. Remember that as a caregiver you need to constantly be alert and active.
- Interpersonal Skills
Apart from physical strength, a caregiver needs to have social skills too. You will be interacting with various people throughout the day. You don’t have to be extraordinarily social or extroverted but it gives you an advantage and certainly makes the job more enjoyable. Possessing social skills helps you to establish a strong foundation of trust and friendship. This is why it is necessary, it makes you more approachable and establishes a clear line for communication. Moreover, most elderly patients at home tend to feel lonely and isolated so being friendly on the job can make them happier and can lead to improved health.
- Safety Training
Safety of your patient should be of the utmost importance to a caregiver. This is especially important for families that are caring for seniors at home. Safety training includes:
- First Aid
It is essential for a caregiver to know basic first aid and CPR as medical emergencies like bruises and cuts to more severe emergencies could arise anytime. Time is of the utmost importance when this happens, you need to act fast and know what to do to alleviate pain. Sometimes, you cannot wait around for an ambulance to come. You need to take action yourself, in such situations it pays to be prepared. Always have a small first-aid box either in your client’s home or your nursing bag to take care of problems that can be solved without a trip to the emergency room.
- Home Safety Training
This is a must-have skill that every home caregiver should be proficient in before they start taking care of their patients. This is important as with a senior, safety hazards are rampant that include tripping over carpets or objects cluttered on the floor and slipping on wet floors, and lastly poorly lit areas in the house. Apart from that, Medications should be kept safe and should be logged every time. Finally, take extra care of spaces like bathrooms and balconies as they are the most dangerous areas for elders. Always set up and inspect equipment like tub mats, grab bars, and shower chairs.
4. Organization & Cleanliness:
Make it a priority to keep everything, be it medicines or clothes, organized. Make a note of your patient’s medications and schedule. Create a place for everything, and ensure that it is in its place. The organization plays a key role in the event of emergencies for caregivers. With most elderly patients, it is essential to do some light cleaning to ensure that there no tripping hazards in their way. Remember that cleanliness isn’t necessarily limited to just ensuring the house or the patient’s room is clean It is also about the client’s hygiene and your personal hygiene as well, ensure you keep both well maintained. This helps you to establish a standard of cleanliness around the patient.
5. Self-Care
Something that many home caregivers forget is that they need to take care of themselves too. Self-care is the fuel you need for home caregiving, if you take care of yourself you can take care of another person without the risk of burning out. It is also recommended that you share healthy boundaries with your patient. This is especially important for Family members who intend to take on the role of caregiving for their senior. if you feel like you are overwhelmed while taking care of your senior, ask for help. Remember that in most cases seniors and families are better suited with professional caregivers.
For professional caregivers, self-care is an equally valid prerequisite to becoming a good caregiver. Caregiving requires a lot of mental and physical strength so it is vital to rest those muscles at the end of your shift and recharge so that you can go back the next day better than ever. Find other caregivers and build a good support network. If you work with an agency then check out their resources and training programs to help home caregivers with their self-care.