Caregiver is a person who provides physical, emotional, psychological and social needs of another person who is dependent and unable to provide for his or her own needs.
When we talk about caregivers, we talk about the people we see around us everyday. We see them in stores, churches, banks, shopping malls, our neighborhood or among our own circle of friends. We see them as a person caring for an aging or frail parent or spouse.
It is estimated that there are approximately 22 million American caregivers. They typically are caring for an aging parent or elderly wife of an elderly husband and vice versa.
Caring for a disabled loved one or aging parent is overwhelming and a life changing experience for many. An example is when a parent or loved one falls, family members are usually in panic or in crisis.
Here’s a few step by step process to take you through some challenges of caregiving:
- Identify the needs of your family member who needs the care
- Getting everyone involved in the decision making
- Develop an action plan and calling to action your family members and your loved one to get through difficult times
- Gather information necessary to effectively meet the needs of your loved one
- Recognize that there are community resources available to meet the needs of your loved ones such as in-home care assistance like Right Accord who can provide help at home.
Marilyn Tait, RN is the author of ‘The Happy Caregiver”, a new book written for caregivers. She is an educator and facilitator of the Parkinson Wellness Club and Caregiver Connection given by Sarasota Memorial Hospital conducted every month at the Institute for Advanced Medicine located at 5880 Rand Blvd. Sarasota, FL. Community Calendar available at www.smh.com
The book is dedicated to her parents but based on her personal experience as caregiver to her husband and her father. It is simple, fun, easy to read and jam packed with basic caregivers skills that you may implement instantly. This is a great gift for anyone who is doing caregiving for a loved one. This little book is huge and overflowing with fun, fast and easy ways to be a happy caregiver.
Marilyn Tait is having a book signing event on March 9, 2010 Tuesday at 2pm at Savannah Grand of Sarasota Assisted Living located at 7130 Beneva Road, Sarasota, Florida.
To order her book, you can reach her directly at (941) 321-8700 or email her at marilyntait@comcast.net
Tags: assisted living, care provider, caregiver, elderly, Florida, help at home, in-home care assistance, sarasota, seniors
