Reaching Out to Other Caregivers Can Make You a Better Elderly Care Provider in East Grand Rapids, MI
Miranda had been a caregiver for a little over six months when she realized that there was a lot that she didn’t know about it. She had agreed to take care of a neighbor because she had the time and didn’t have to commute to the job. She didn’t really consider herself an elderly care provider, but in time she began to accept the role in the title.
One thing that caused her a lot of stress and anxiety in those early days of providing care was inexperience. She had never provided elderly care to anyone in the past and was limited in her knowledge about what the patient needed or wanted.
Even though she would talk to the patient’s family from time to time, she still felt as though they didn’t understand her questions or concerns. That’s when she began to seek out other caregivers in the area for advice and counsel.
Miranda looked online and found a support group for caregivers of elderly patients. She contacted the group and they accepted her. Even though the vast majority of them were family members caring for elderly loved ones, they didn’t see any real difference in what they were doing and the elderly care that Miranda was offering her neighbor’s family member.
After the first day, Miranda learned a few tips that actually helped her in dealing with some of the issues with her patient. One was an incontinence issue. The patient for whom she was caring was often embarrassed when she had an incontinence issue. Miranda didn’t know the best way to deal with it. Now she learned some strategies that could help her and the patient be more comfortable with these natural incontinence issues.
Within the next few weeks, Miranda also learned a lot more and was sharing experiences that she had with other caregivers that ultimately provided support for them as well. She found through this support group that helping other caregivers was a great way to make herself a better elderly care provider.
She was grateful for all of the encouragement and support that her fellow caregivers offered at these meetings and she was glad that some of the things she had learned on the job were also helping others as well.
Within a month, Miranda felt that the elderly care she was providing was twice is good, if not more, than when she first started. She also noticed an improvement in the patient’s outlook and demeanor and she couldn’t help but think that had something to do with reaching out to other caregivers.
If you or someone you know needs help with elderly care in East Grand Rapids, MI, contact the caregivers at Gauthier Family Home Care. We provide quality and affordable home care for many disabled and elderly loved ones in our community. Call us at (616) 258-2300 for more information.
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