Guide To Providing In-home Care For A Loved One

Caregiving can become all-consuming, especially if you are sharing a home with the person you're caring for. You may find yourself playing nurse, life coach, nutritionist and social director.

All of these roles are important for maintaining your loved one's mental and physical health. Just don't neglect your own.

Address social needs. Isolation and loneliness are associated with poorer health; helping your family member and yourself avoid them is a key part of caregiving. You could find a community arts program for seniors, invite friends and relatives to visit, or go out to eat together.

Manage nutrition. Be conscious of any dietary restrictions, and encourage your loved one to maintain a balanced diet and avoid processed foods. Look into home-delivered meal programs, and be sure the person drinks plenty of fluids, as dehydration can cause fainting, headaches and more conditions.

Encourage exercise. Staying mobile can help older people maintain strength, balance, energy and brain health, among other things. Your loved one's abilities will vary, and you should check any exercise regimen with a doctor, but the routine might include activities like walking, seated yoga, swimming or lifting small weights.

Establish boundaries. Everyone needs a level of privacy, especially if the person you're tending to lives with you and your spouse or partner. Ideally, you should have some separation between living areas and be able to schedule time together as a couple.

5. Get help

Depending on the severity of your loved one's problems, you may need a bit of assistance — or a whole lot of it.

Rely on your team for help with some caregiving tasks and to fill in so you can take breaks. Don't feel guilty: Your own health — and the quality of your caregiving — will suffer if you try to do everything and don't take time for yourself.

Ask friends and family members for help. Plenty of people in your life will be happy, or at least willing, to lend a hand if you ask. Maybe someone could pick up a prescription for you on the next trip to a nearby shopping center, or a neighbor could stop by with dinner once a week.

Farm out some household jobs. Consider paying for relatively small services that will relieve your burden, such as a weekly housecleaning, yard care or grocery delivery. If you live apart from your loved one, you could do the same for your home.

Hire in-home care. You can go through an agency or hire a caregiver directly, but either way, be sure to check references and background, and monitor performance carefully. Cautionary tales abound. It's smart to rely on word of mouth. Ask fellow caregivers for recommendations.

Watch your mental health. As a caregiver, you are at a higher risk for stress and depression. If either grows serious, seek help from a mental health professional. And consider reaching out to other caregivers for support and advice.

AARP Resources

Toll-free caregiver support line has agents that can guide you to resources. The lines are staffed Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET at 1-877-333-5885, or in Spanish at 1-888-971-2013

An Initiative with United Way connects caregivers to resources in their state or community. Check out the online family resource guides with directories of services or call 211 for advice.

Family Caregivers Discussion Group is an active Facebook community where offers caregivers a place to connect, share stories and advice. The AARP website also has an online caregiving community where caregivers can interact with other caregivers.

Livable Communities’ HomeFit guides has ideas on adjustments to makes to a house to make it safe for those that want to age-in-place.