Caregiving can be rewarding, but it can also be challenging. Caregiving doesn’t just bring with it routine tasks like planning meals and keeping a house clean; caregiving also brings about hard emotions that may come as a surprise to you. But, through everything that takes place, caregiving can also bring happiness and joy if you are able to look past the challenges.
If you feel like your life is turned upside down by caregiving, then there are several ways you can get through this phase of your life. Finding support from others who understand what you’re going through as well as the emotional impacts can make all the difference when caring for a loved one. There are many places where caregivers can seek support locally or online — here are five of them.
1. Reach out to caregivers and other people in your network:
If you know of family members or friends who are also caring for a loved one, reach out to them and ask how they are doing. It’s a great way to build support networks and find connections that can be helpful as you navigate this life transition.
You may also want to reach out to former co-workers, classmates, or neighbours. People who have experienced similar circumstances may be able to provide you with advice or answer questions that you have.
2. Join a caregiving group online or on mobile apps:
There are many caregiver support network groups online groups that can provide you with support and advice. Some of these groups are specifically for caregivers of specific illnesses or conditions, while others are open to anyone who is caring for a loved one.
Many of these caregiver support network groups offer a mobile app that allows you to participate from wherever you are, which may be helpful if you are caring for someone who is bed-ridden or unable to participate in online discussions.
Many of these groups also offer a social media component, which may allow you to interact with others via Facebook, Twitter, or other platforms.
3. Attend an in-person caregiver support group:
If you have the opportunity to attend an in-person caregiver support group, then you may be able to better process the information you hear and interact with others in a more meaningful way.
You may find that attending an in-person group is better for you than an online group, as it allows you to take notes and ask follow-up questions. It’s important that you select an in-person group that is appropriate for you.
For example, if you are caring for someone with a dementia diagnosis, you may want to consider attending a group that specifically focuses on dementia care.
4. Talk with family and friends in person or over the phone:
If you have supportive family members or friends nearby, then you may want to visit them in person. If you don’t have the financial or logistical support of your family while you are caring for your loved one, then visiting someone in person may allow you to ask questions and get a better understanding of how they are feeling.
If you don’t have friends or family nearby that you would like to visit in person, you can also consider phone calls. People may be hesitant to allow you to talk to them for prolonged periods of time, but you can remind them that you are only trying to catch up on recent events and ask questions that you have been wondering about.
5. Go on a “care walk” together:
If you don’t have any nearby family members or friends that you would like to visit in person, you could consider a “care walk” with a caregiver support network group. A care walk is when a group of people who care for a loved one meet for a walk and share their experiences, ask questions, and receive support from one another.
There are many online groups that organize care walks, as well as in-person groups that organize care walks. These care walks may be beneficial because they allow you to meet others who are in the same situation as you and receive support from one another.
6. Establish a personal care calendar to stay organized:
While it may be tempting to try to care for a loved one as if they had a permanent health condition, you may find that it is more helpful to maintain a “normal” life than to try to rewire your brain to be the way it was before.
While it is important to be there for a loved one, you could also try to maintain some semblance of a normal life for yourself. If you aren’t able to care for your loved one while also maintaining a normal life, then you may find that it helps to create a personal care calendar to stay organized.
This allows you to see what tasks need to be completed and gives you a clear grading system when it comes to how well you are doing.
Final words:
When you find yourself in the role of caregiver, it can be difficult to know where to turn for support. While you may feel that you have no one to turn to, you just may be one person away from finding the caregiver support network you need to make it through this challenge. In order to find the support that you need, you just need to look beyond your immediate circle and reach out to those who may be able to provide help.
Want to learn more?
Reach us at wecare@considracare.com, or call us at 1-855-410-7971, and we will be happy to assist. Discover more tips in our information booklets or on our resources page.
Maryam is a leading writer at ConsidraCare, specializing in senior care. Her well-researched articles are widely recognized for guiding families through the complexities of caring for loved ones, establishing her as a trusted and authoritative voice in the field.