צוות iSavta | 10.12.2019

One of the ways to make caregiving less difficult is to have a daily routine. Having a daily routine can make your day as a caregiver run smoother. Use a routine that work best for you and your patient. It is great to develop a routine because you and the older adult can anticipate what’s going to happen next. Once the older adults are able to anticipate a task after another, there is a big chance of a better cooperation from them.  However, if parts of the routine doesn't work well, caregivers need to make the necessary adjustments to make both the lives of the older adult and themselves easier.

Another way to make your caregiving duties easier is to equip yourself with a good amount of knowledge about the health condition of your patient. If you know the condition of your patient well, then you would know what to do to provide the best care possible. You would also be confident in making decisions if the situation calls for it. Lastly, you would gain the trust of your patient if he/she feels that you are knowledgeable and skilled in what you are doing.

Third, you need to always empathize with your patient. Always put in mind that your patient may already have self-pity for not being able to do things or basic tasks he/she was able to do before. Their frustration may even show feelings of anger, sadness, and hate. They may project their frustration on you so ready yourself and have an understanding heart.

Fourth, when communicating with your patient, take a cue from their gestures and body language. Non-verbal cues are very powerful language tools. When you ask your patient about their needs or their feelings, they might speak differently from their actions or not respond at all. Also, it is important to use your sense of touch when communicating with your patient. Your touch will let your patient feel that you really care for them and it gives them the assurance that you value their existence. When giving instructions or simply talking to your patient, hold their hand. Pat their shoulders when giving them praise. Hug them to make them feel comfortable, loved and supported.

Lastly, bring lots of patience with you. Caregiving tasks can be exhausting but you should always keep in mind that the person you are caring for needs support. If you let them feel that you are stressed or tired of giving them support, they might end up being depressed. If you are in a stressful situation, make it a habit to pause, breathe deeply, and remind yourself that your patient is already in a bad situation so you don’t want to make it worse. When you do caregiving tasks with a warm and genuine heart, it will create a positive impact on the life of your patient. This rewarding feeling is something that you will cherish for the rest of your life.