Emphasizing and satisfying the needs of care-recipients and caregivers will achieve a balanced lifestyle. Caregiving is a challenging but rewarding experience requiring dedication, devotion, and support. Empathetic caregivers provide nurturing and secure care environments for care-recipients. Support systems recognizing caregivers’ needs foster safe, quality care.

Caregiving is dependent upon,

1.) meeting the demands and honoring the dignity of the care-recipient.

2.) respecting the needs and integrity of the caregiver.

When these demands and needs are recognized, caregiving becomes less daunting and more fulfilling. The following list of DO’S AND DON’TS will bring balance and success to your caregiving journey.

• Encourage the patient to be independent and helpful. Avoid treating the care-recipient like an incompetent child unable to accomplish simple tasks.
• Ask the patient’s opinion on health care concerns. Avoid talking in front of the care-recipient as if inexistent and oblivious to the discussion.
• Support the patient’s need for togetherness and family time. Avoid isolation from family and friends. Allow time for socializing.
• Do activities promoting cognitive thinking and fine motor skills. Avoid reliance on TV and technology for mental stimulation.
• Empathize with the patient’s emotions. Avoid being cold and aloof. Show understanding toward feelings of helplessness and depression.
• Discuss with the patient your need for alone time. Avoid allowing the care-recipient to become clingy and completely dependent.
• Involve family and friends in the caregiving process. Don’t become overwhelmed by care responsibilities.
• Show concern for your emotional and physical stress. Avoid adrenal fatigue and burnout.
• Discuss with family and friends your need for respite care. Don’t assume you can provide effective care without breaks from your hectic daily schedule.
• Treasure the caregiving experience. It brings new perspective to caring and relationships. Don’t view caregiving as a never-ending burden.

Acknowledging care-recipients’ needs and caregivers’ wants will create life balance. Balance creates harmony during the caregiving experience. Listen to the patient and voice your concerns. Awareness of all feelings and needs in a relationship allows for a smoother, more fulfilling journey. Thank you for reading and good luck!

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