8) Offer your expertise.
Most of the caregiver’s responsibili-
ties will be new to her. If you are a nurse,
offer to help administer medication. Es-
tate planners or lawyers may also want to
answer questions that come up. Friends
that have served as caregivers in the past
can be the best guides during this process.
55 & OVER
Living at it 's F inest
THE
COMFORT OF
KNOWING YOU
ARE HOME
9) Be the shoulder
to cry on.
Sometimes the caregiver just needs
to vent about their patient, the doctors,
insurance, or the unfairness of it all. Of-
ten the caregiver wants someone to just
listen and sympathize, but not necessar-
ily propose a solution. In other words,
she needs a girlfriend.
1 AND 2
BEDROOM STYLES
• Smoke free complex
• Spacious first floor lobby and
lounge areas complete with
fireplace, community kitchen
and computer with Internet
access. Additional lounges on
second and third floors
• Located near two major
bus lines
HEAT AND HOT
WATER INCLUDED
Comfortable, Convenient and Secure...
CALL TODAY 834-3711
Shaarey Zedek Apartments
55 AND OVER LIVING
410 Hartford Road • Amherst, NY (Millersport and Sheridan area)
www.echahousing.com
• Each apartment is equipped
with medical emergency pull
cords
• Advanced electronic
entry security system and
state-of-the-art fire safety and
alarm system
• Amherst Senior Transportation
Services available
10) Keep inviting.
Long term caregivers feel like their
friends have forgotten them after the
initial first few months in their new po-
sition. The cards, care packages, and in-
vitations quit coming. Extend the invita-
tions to parties as well as for a walk in
the neighborhood. If she says no, don’t
badger. Instead, offer a rain check and
ask again next time. Eventually she will
take you up on it.
11) Keep the caregiver
smiling.
Send a funny card in the mail. It
will be a nice break from medical bills
and insurance letters. Email a daily
joke. Text a silly picture or meme. Try
to break the cycle of seriousness if only
for a moment. It shows the caregiver
that you are still thinking about her.
12) Help to fill the gap.
A longtime caregiver’s job often
ends due to the death of their patient.
When that happens, there will be a large
hole in their life. Not only did their
loved one pass away, but their iden-
tity as a caregiver and daily routine has
come to an abrupt end. Offer your sup-
port to help them get back on their feet
and find a new normal.
Pam Molnar is a freelance writer and
daughter of a caregiver. She knows how
much stress it puts on a family and hopes
that caregivers get the recognition they
deserve.
March 2020 WNY Family 43