Not sure if Caregiving is on Your Radar? Get the Scoop on Stage 1 of The Caregiving years!

As promised I’m diving deeper into the concept of The Caregiving Years and start right at the beginning:

                                                      Stage I – The Expectant Caregiver.

This is the stage where you tell your friends that your parents are healthy and independent and that you won’t be looking after them for a while. The “all is well” kinda thing.
I hear this a lot and when they allow me to share some insights in person or during a workshop their eyes are opened and they ask me: “Oh, really?!” I never forget the looks on this man’s face when he had that “AHA-moment” at the Health Expo in Nanaimo in September.

One of the things that parents don’t tell you… is that they just don’t tell you!
They keep many things for themselves even though you believe you know them well.

Who are you as Expectant Caregiver?
No matter what they (don’t) tell you, you have a growing concern that, within the near future, they may need more and more of your assistance and time. You’re concerned because of your relative’s age, past and present medical condition, and current living condition.

Your keyword: ASK
— Ask questions of your caree. (The individual receiving your care is your caree.)
— Ask questions of health care professionals.
— Ask questions of lawyers and financial planners.
— Ask questions of your family members who may be involved in the caregiving role.

Don’t be shy and get answers!

Your Challenge
To learn and understand your caree’s needs: health, financial and emotional.

Your Purpose
You now understand you become a caregiver, and this is your time to prepare. You should
research options, gather information, and provide the opportunity for your caree to share his or her feelings and values. This is also your time to concentrate on taking care of yourself: keeping up with family and friends, enjoying your hobbies and interests, pursuing your career goals.

BUT HOW? WHO? WHEN? WHAT?

Are those questions keeping you up at night? Turn your stomach around?
Causing you to stress out while your journey hasn’t even started yet?

There is help, reach out in the community to the different resources or check out http://caregiving.com by Denise Brown. She developed “The Caregiving Years” and she has many resources available for you.

You can talk to me if you wish, just connect through my website.

Next blog you will gain insights in The Caregiving Years, Stage 2: The freshman Caregiver

With love & care,

Saskia Jennings
Certified Caregiving Consultant & Educator
Qualicum Beach, B.C.
http://www.creatingbeingwell.com
Current Phone #: 647.528.2037