Caregiver Support

None of us knows what is ahead of us, but we know it will help if people are with us on the journey – people are not frightened to listen to us, who will not leave us to negotiate the last part of the track alone. (Dr Rod McLeod)

Some of the Feedback from our Caregivers Programme: July 2018
What worked well in the sessions?
“General round table discussion with small group”
“Being open and talking freely amongst ourselves”
“The way it flowed, hard subject, well handled by Lorraine”
“Learning about what needs to be done re. paperwork”
“It was just a bloody good session”
“Different but effective”
“Nice informal setting but very informative”
“All in the same boat, no embarrassment or guilt when asking questions”
“Hearing from a different funeral director”
“Excellent session and discussion hit the spot”
“Was a good session, learnt a lot about medication”
“Most satisfactory, a lot of questions answered, excellent presenter and ideas to think about and actions to consider”
“Very good understanding of EPA’s & Wills, lots of questions answered”
“The openness of conversation, realising that what I’m going through is normal”
“Nice presenter”
“General approach to awkward conversations”
“Interactive discussions”
“Great demonstration of gadgets”
“Interesting and practical topics”
“Small group and time to learn and reflect”
“Learning how to find our own space”
“Being able to understand the palliative role and to be myself”

Being a caregiver for someone who is sick is a demanding task even in the short term. When this care-giving role continues for many months, even years, it can feel like an impossible task.

The fact that you are reading this suggests that you may be in this position. We want you to know that there are some simple things that can assist you regain your strength.

Some tips for you……….
REMEMBER there are at least TWO people who need to be cared for – the person who is sick – and you. Neglecting your own needs is not helpful either in the short or long term.

THINK ABOUT the care you are giving.

Is it primarily physical care with a focus on the patient’s medical needs and comfort care e.g. giving medication, personal hygiene, washing, cooking, and cleaning?
What about the patients’ emotional and psychological needs? Are you able to talk together about what has been / is important to them / you / your family?
Are you able to cry, laugh, be sad together or do you try and protect each other from your feelings, whatever they are?
What about intimacy needs? Have the opportunities for touch, sex, affection been affected by the illness? Are you able to find other ways to meet these needs?
What about the patient’s spiritual needs? Whether you are religious or not it is important to make sense of and to find meaning in what happens to us in life. Are you able to ask the questions that don’t have an easy answer?
If you belong to a faith community are they involved?

ALLOW others to help.
Family, friends, neighbours, church community, Hospice Wairarapa and other health professionals. All can assist and support you in your care of your loved one. All you have to do is allow them. Remember, you have needs too. You can’t do this alone.

SOME PRACTICAL IDEAS TO GET YOU GOING

*Get some physical exercise
*Put your feet up
*Spend some time with a friend
*Meditate / pray / reflect

SAY YES WHEN SOMEONE OFFERS TO:
*Do the shopping
*Sit with the patient
*Prepare a meal
*Look after the children
*Mow the lawn

FIND SOMEONE WITH A LISTENING EAR WHO WILL:
*Let you talk about your feelings without saying ‘You should / shouldn’t feel like that”.
*Not give advice or tell you what to do.
*Let you ask your questions without having to have an answer.

ASK FOR WHAT YOU NEED FROM:
*Family
*Friends
*Health Professionals

Hospice services are available free of charge to all of those that have a terminal diagnosis in the Wairarapa.
If you are interested in this service please contact our Programme Coordinator or call 06 378 8888 to discuss further.

caregiver support

SOME PRACTICAL IDEAS TO GET YOU GOING