COVID-19 Brings Caregivers To Their Breaking Point

Caregiver Burnout Accelerated!

The demands of Caregiving for a loved one with a dementia is exhausting, isolating and overwhelming. Respite services are difficult to find, friends and family members are reluctant to provide care and paid caregivers are expensive and many times unpredictable.

The current COVID-19 health crisis and government ordered restrictions has depleted the already limited resources that family caregivers depended on to barely get by on a weekly basis.

Prior to the crisis, social isolation was a contributing factor to caregiver burnout and illness, now they have no choice but to isolate.  Added fear and uncertainty of their and their loved one’s exposure and health, daily routines that have been disrupted, limited resources now unavailable all have brought them to a breaking point.

What Can Be Done To Help Remotely?

• Call and FaceTime with them. Make sure you take the time to listen to them, evaluate if they need emergency assistance (mental and physical health).  Tell an uplifting story or joke to lighten their mood.
• Place an online order for delivery of groceries to them. Ask for a list of items and a payment method, if you are not paying for them yourself.
• Organize friends and family to order and pay for takeout delivery for meals.
• Contact their local Aging Service Access Agencies to inquire about services for homebound seniors.

Tips For Caregiving At Home during COVID-19 Restrictions.

• Provide extra reminders for your loved one for practicing proper hygiene.
• Post written reminders of why you can not take them out or have visitors.
• Have any medications refilled and delivered directly to your home.
• Have sanitizers available for any essential visitors and make sure to disinfect any items delivered to you.
• Develop a regular daily routine that you follow each day. Include activities of daily living, meals, exercise, games and other activities and of course quiet rest times for both. 

As always, please reach out to me at kara@elderwelladultday.com if I can be of any assistance to you or a family member that is caring for someone during this unprecedented time.

Regards,

Kara Harvey-CEO

Elder-Well®