8 ways for caregivers to take care of themselves

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Caregivers in rural areas must take time to care for themselves, according to experts at Ohio AgrAbility.

Getting organized and creating a plan can help relieve stress.

The organization shared advice for caregivers.

1. Prioritize what is “must have” versus “nice to have.”

2. Make a list of everything your loved one needs, a separate list for everything the household needs and another separate list for everything the farm needs.

3. Determine what on that list you can realistically accomplish on your own.

4. Determine which needs must or should be met by a professional, such as rehabilitation and other short-term care beyond your capabilities.

5. Determine which friends and family members have previously offered or would be willing to help. Next to their name, list any skill sets they have that would make them more helpful for a certain task.

6. Then ask people for help. Many people are willing to help and would like to if asked. They are probably afraid to interfere and do not know how they can help.

7. Once you establish your support system, ask them the best times they would like to help. Knowing when to call will eliminate the feeling that you are “bugging” them and prevent having more help than needed one moment and no help the next.

8. During the day, search for adult day programs that offer daytime services and activities for adults. It will give your loved one time to interact with other people in similar situations and will allow you to keep working outside of the home or on the farm. It will also offer much needed time apart. Even the best relationships need space.

Caregivers are often unaware of the availability of support services.

Only 9% of caregivers used respite services and only 11% participated in support groups, according to the Alzheimer’s Association and National Alliance for Caregiving.

Respite services can help lift some of the weight off of caregivers.

“There’s a caregiver respite action plan handout,” said Laura Akgerman, disability services coordinator for Ohio AgrAbility. “It’s designed for people to print off and go through.

“Maybe you need a hamburger and a shower. Maybe you don’t know what you need because you’re that overwhelmed. This helps you pull together ideas of what you really need.”

Other support groups can be found:

• Online.

• Places of worship.

• Hospitals and other health care providers.

• Psychologists, social workers or therapists.

• Community respite care organizations and services.

• National and regional organizations for the specific disability or illness.

• Caregiver organizations such as the National Family Caregivers Association, National Alliance for Caregiving, Ohio Respite Coalition and Well Spouse Foundation.

For more information, visit agrability.osu.edu/caregiver-support-network.