— by Pam Molnar
Send in the Reinforcements:
How to Care for the Caregiver
C
aregivers are selfless, tireless
people who spend their day
caring for their elderly or sick
family members. Their job requires a 24-
hour physical, emotional and often times,
financial commitment. Many caregivers
must juggle their new responsibility with
raising a family, holding down a job, and
maintaining a household.
Take the time to support the caregiv-
ers you know, whether they are a family
member, friend, neighbor or co-worker.
By showing them your support, you are
taking away a bit of their burden, sad-
ness, guilt, or pain, if only for a moment.
Not sure how you can help? Check out
these 12 suggestions below.
1) Give them much
needed time off.
Offer to sit in their place while they
attend their son’s game or hus-
band’s work dinner. You can
drive to routine doctor appoint-
ments, take their patient on a
small outing, or simply be on
call for the day in the caregiver’s
place.
2) Make them
a home cooked
meal.
The caregiver often lets
their own health go while tak-
ing care of their loved one. As
you plan your own dinner, make
a double batch to take over to
42 WNY Family March 2020
the caregiver’s house. Use disposable
containers and deliver the meal ready to
eat. If you are not a cook yourself, offer
the family a restaurant gift certificate so
they can enjoy family time alone.
3) Offer to do a task.
Caregivers have their hands full with
their patient and the immediate needs of
their family. Everything else takes a back
seat. Don’t offer a general “let me know
what I can do to help.” Instead, if you
specifically offer to shop, mow the lawn,
walk the dogs or handle a carpool, they
will most likely take you up on it.
4) Write a handwritten
note of encouragement.
During this stressful and often sad
time in the caregiver’s life, they need to
be reminded that they are doing their best.
Your letter will most likely be read and
reread when the caregiver has a quiet mo-
ment and needs an extra pick me up. They
might also enjoy you sharing a memory of
their loved one during better times.
5) Bring awareness.
While the caregiver is busy taking
care of their sick patient, their friends and
supporters might like to donate time and
money to their cause. Gather people for
a Relay for Life, play Bunco for Breast
Cancer awareness, or sponsor a golf out-
ing with the proceeds going to their cause.
Check with the caregivers for local needs
like chemo packages at the hospital.
6) Make a de-stress basket.
Include favorites for the caregiver
like wine, homemade baked goods,
magazines, a Red Box gift certificate,
or spa items. Either present as
one large gift or spread it out for
a week by sending a little gift
each day.
7) Bring the party
to them.
If the caregiver has to rou-
tinely cancel plans in order to
stay home with their loved one,
have an event at their house. The
caregiver’s friends will clean
before and after, bring food and
drink, and provide entertain-
ment. Even an hour-long party
will brighten the caregiver’s day.