Managing Caregiver Stress Practicing Self Care Preparing for the Journey of Caregiving

1. Balancing Life as a Caregiver
Managing Caregiver Stress
Practicing Self Care
Preparing for the Journey of Caregiving
Audrey Vermont, LVN
Care Manager
Exceptional Care Management

2. What is a Caregiver?
● Anyone who takes the responsibility for the basic needs of
another person
● Temporary or permanent
● Family or professional
● Home or facility
● Companionship
● Full care
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3. What are Caregivers Responsible for?
● Providing physical care and guidance
● Companionship and socialization
● Emotional support
● Making important decisions
● Enlisting medical services
● Representing a loved-oneʼs interests
● Mundane tasks -- house cleaning, laundry, cleaning,
transportation
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4. Caregiver Challenges
● Emotions become overwhelming
● Needs increase as disease progresses
● Capabilities decrease
● Financial challenges
● Work complications
● Fatigue, exhaustion
● Isolation, fear, anxiety
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5. Who, What, Where, When, How...Why??
● Who will provide the care?
● What kind of care is needed?
● Where will the care be provided?
● When do you decide to modify care?
● How will the care needs be met?
● WAIT...WHY?
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6. Rewards
● Rich, life-affirming rewards
● Bond deepens through care
● Relationship and problem solving skills improve
● Form new relationships
● Unexpected rewards develop through compassion and
acceptance
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7. Other Considerations
● You can expect to play a very active role in your loved-oneʼs
life
● You canʼt control memory loss or certain other symptoms
● You can determine how you support your loved one
● You can strengthen your coping abilities by pacing yourself,
consistently practicing self-care and preparing for the journey
of caregiving
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8. Managing Stress
● Recognize the signs of trouble
○ Fatigue
○ Anxiety
○ Sadness
○ Irritability
○ Depression
○ Difficulty sleeping
○ Overreacting to minor nuisances
○ Avoidance and self-isolation
○ New or worsening health problems
○ Self-medicating with drugs or alcohol
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9. Practicing Self Care -- Eat 5, Move 10, Sleep 8
● Eat 5 fruits and vegetables daily
● Move 10 minutes more than usual
● Sleep at least 8 hours a night
● Stay socially connected
● Relaxation techniques
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10. Other Self Care Practices
● Reach out for support
● Do not do this alone
● ACCEPT THE HELP
● Take breaks
● Attend to your own health
● Focus on what you CAN do
● Join a support group
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11. Planning the Caregiver Journey
● PLAN • PLAN • PLAN
● Do the research
● Keep it simple
● Establish a daily routine
● Create a supportive environment
● Set realistic goals
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12. Planning the Caregiver Journey
● Be confident and believe in yourself
● Build a team
● Implement incremental changes
● Keep a journal of what works
● Care for you as you would care for them
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13. Contact Information
Audrey Vermont, LVN Care Manager
Exceptional Care Management
(650) 526-8577
avermont@exceptionalcaremanagement.com
ExceptionalCareManagement.com
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Thank You!