November is National Family Caregivers Month and
Washington State Caregiver Awareness Month!
Are you a Caregiver?
Many people who care for a loved one, friend, or neighbor don’t think of themselves as caregivers, but if you routinely…
- bring food to a friend or family member
listen to and reassure them- drive them to appointments
- help with chores
- pay their bills
- run errands for them
- help with yard work
- fix their leaky faucets
- organize their medications so they can be safe
… then you are a caregiver.
Caregivers experience a great deal of stress. Common stressors include:
- activity planning
- balancing work and family responsibilities and personal time
- communicating with health care and other professionals, family
members and/or a loved one with dementia - legal and financial concerns, including insurance coverage
- managing incontinence
- safety, including moving or lifting
- managing challenging behaviors
- making end-of-life decisions
- recruiting competent help
- selecting a home care agency, assisted living facility, or nursing home