Caregiving most often becomes a role in life when a loved one experiences a major health event, such as a heart attack, stroke or accident. It may also begin when adult children start caring for an aging parent who shows changes in thinking and memory or ability to live safely in the community. Life changes. Free time is now spent helping a loved one.
Ultimately, being a caregiver becomes one of the many roles a person fulfills in their lifetime. November is designated as National Family Caregivers Month as a reminder that people will be better equipped to provide care for their loved ones if they remember to take care of themselves.
Caregivers can take the following steps to ensure that both they and their loved ones are well cared for:
Take time to learn about their loved one’s condition and what to expect with the condition in the future. The more you know in advance, the more you can plan ahead.
