5 Signs Your Caregiver is Good for Your Loved One

April 27, 2018 0
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You aren’t with your loved one every day. You vigilantly look for signs that her caregiver is not providing adequate care. But, you want more than the minimum! How do you know if your caregiver is good for your loved one.

When is comes to trusting others with the care of your loved one, you should keep your eyes open for signs your loved one is thriving. Great home care is about creating relationships between caregiver and client. The best caregivers strive to exceed expectations and improve the health and wellbeing of those they care for.

Here are five signs your caregiver is good for your loved one.

Your Loved One is More Active Than Before

Great caregivers know that activities lift the spirit and give clients something to look forward to. Your loved one’s caregiver is good for your loved one when she schedules appropriate activities. Outings can be as simple as walk around the neighborhood. Or, Your loved one may want to take full fledged vacations with her caregiver. Activities depend on the health and activity level of your loved one. Great caregivers do not choose activities based on their own interests. They chose activities that resonate with your loved one.

Your loved one’s caregiver might encourage simple trips to the grocery or post office. Small steps often lead to more willness on the part of your loved one to participate in activities. Great caregivers might also introduce new activities to your loved one like a bunco group or ladies luncheon. Your caregiver is good for your loved one when she works to make your loved one feel interested in life activities.

Your Loved One is Reconnecting with Others

Reclusiveness is a symptom of depression. It may also point to physical changes like reduced hearing or cognitive impairment. Your loved one’s friends may notice your loved one withdrawing from conversations and social events.

A caregiver is good for your loved one when she encourages your loved one to reconnect with friends and family. Forcing a client into social settings is stressful. Great caregivers gently suggest social occasions. Often people avoid social gatherings because they experience feelings of anxiety or frustration. Great caregivers know what triggers their clients fear, and plan social gatherings that avoid the trigger. For instance, if your loved one is hard of hearing and feels frustrated in loud social venues, your loved ones caregiver may schedule an intimate gathering in a quiet location to encourage participation.

You Notice Your Loved One is Eating More

Eating is a social activity. While fundamentally necessary for life and nutrition, food consumption deals a lot with state of mind and personal preferences.  As people age, the digestion process may become less efficient. Or, the taste of food may become less palatable. Malnourishment among the senior population runs rampant. Dehydration and poor nutrition contribute to weakness and susceptibility to illness.

This makes regular eating even more important. Great caregivers spend time on food presentation and taste. They look for ways to encourage your loved eat more regular nutritious meals. Simple gestures like dining together and learning favorite foods may make the difference between health and decline. Your loved one’s caregiver is good for her when you notice your loved one putting on healthy weight and getting regular meals.

Your Loved One is Gaining Strength

As people age they lose muscle mass. This process occurs naturally and is called Sarcopenia. Muscle loss increases with inactivity. Great caregivers work hard to keep clients up and moving. Protecting your loved ones mobility supports her independence.

Your loved one’s caregiver is good for her when she encourages movement and activity. Great caregivers encourage clients to participate and move. With consistent exercise support your loved one may gain mobility. By exercising together your loved one may improve her balance and be able to stand more easily.

Your Caregiver is an Excellent Communicator

Caregivers and clients often spend long stretches of time together. They form a relationship and bond over time. Often, caregivers have the most up-to-date information about your loved one since they have consistent, regular contact. Great caregivers know the importance of communication and pull family and resources together when necessary.

Your loved one’s caregiver is good for your loved one when she reports changes of condition immediately. Great caregivers also document visits and look for developing patterns. Your loved one’s caregiver should understand the importance of working with the care team. She should see herself as an essential member of this team.

Closing Thoughts

Your loved one’s caregiver is exceptional when she improves your loved one’s quality of life. It takes patience to change your loved one’s patterns of reclusiveness and sedentary lifestyle. Great caregivers make subtle suggestions and infuse times together with fun. The one-on-one care your loved one receives should result in stable or improving health if illness is not at work. Interaction, friendship, and planning may be enough to get your loved one interested and involved in life activities.

 


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