| In an assisted living environment, caregivers are | | | | set of important roles, including: |
| often thought of only as "hired help." In fact, both | | | | - Your eyes and ears. While I am lucky enough to |
| short and long-term relationships with caregivers | | | | live close to my mom, many families live far |
| offer benefits far exceeding assistance with daily | | | | away from their loved ones. A caregiver can be |
| living. | | | | your eyes and ears about general care, food, |
| The acceptance that caregivers are play an | | | | services, activities and all the other daily things. |
| important role in the daily happiness of both the | | | | They can also share with you the reality of |
| patient and family can lead to a far more positive | | | | things, as sometimes situations can get |
| assisted living experience. | | | | exaggerated. Being defensive as we are, it's good |
| For residents, caregivers play a number of | | | | to get both sides of the story before you |
| different roles, including: | | | | approach management with a complaint. Example: |
| - A friend. Just like having a roommate, the | | | | sometimes residents think their kids are |
| caregiver and your loved one will spend a lot of | | | | overprotective, but if they stay in touch with the |
| time together. And just like a roommate, a | | | | caregiver, they can ensure things are okay while |
| caregiver and your loved one can become great | | | | at the same time giving the resident his/her |
| friends (or not, but that's a different discussion). | | | | space. |
| The resident and caregiver have become very | | | | - A concierge. It takes a lot of coordination to get |
| good friends, going to events together, watching | | | | your loved one to activities, doctor appointments, |
| movies together and chatting like good friends do. | | | | beauty appointments, therapy, etc. Each one of |
| At many times, the "caregiver" side of their | | | | these things requires phone calls, follow up, etc. A |
| relationship is minimized, and they are friends. This | | | | caregiver can help to off-load much of these |
| is a good thing! | | | | from you and help manage your loved ones daily |
| - A listener. The transition to assisted living can be | | | | weekly and monthly calendar. |
| difficult for many people. It was especially difficult | | | | - An influencer. As close as you may be with |
| for many to move from being so independent to | | | | your loved one, there will always be certain topics |
| becoming so dependent. Caregivers can be great | | | | or issues in which your opinions are not |
| listeners and counselors. In many cases, their | | | | appreciated. Example: Many residents hate going |
| experience gives them a far greater | | | | to the doctor. No matter what family members |
| understanding of these challenges than you, and | | | | say, residents can often gets defensive and and |
| they can be a great resource for your loved one | | | | refuse to be convinced that a doctor visit is |
| to talk through the issues. | | | | required. Because of their own experiences, they |
| - A cheerleader. It can be tough to get motivated | | | | may have an aversion for doctors and hospitals. |
| for the activities of the day, physical or | | | | A caregiver can be an alternative communication |
| occupational therapy or just to get out of | | | | channel, based on a different type of trust and |
| pajamas in the morning. It's often tough for all of | | | | many of the roles above, and they can be |
| us. Caregivers can serve as a great cheerleader, | | | | effective at helping to open them up to a |
| giving pep talks when necessary to get out and | | | | different point of view. |
| enjoy the activities of the day. | | | | There are more, but these are the big ones and |
| - A big brother or sister. Often in assisted living, | | | | certainly enough to get you thinking. |
| the squeaky wheel gets the grease. A caregiver | | | | While it may take a while to find the right |
| can be the first line of defense to ensure your | | | | caregiver, interviewing and evaluating caregivers |
| loved one gets what they need, when they need | | | | on more than just their ability to provide care can |
| it. | | | | be beneficial. |
| For families, caregivers can play a whole different | | | | |