10 TIPS FOR

CAREGIVERS

Caring for

Yourself
While Caring for
Someone
Else

10 TIPS FOR

CAREGIVERS

THE
CAREGIVING JOURNEY
IS NOT A

SPRINT
BUT A

MARATHON

10 TIPS FOR

CAREGIVERS

U
O
Y
E
AR
A

R
E
V
I
G
E
R
A
C

10 TIPS FOR

CAREGIVERS
Former First Lady,
Mrs. Rosalynn Carter says
that there are four kinds of
people in the world
Those who have been caregivers
Those who currently are caregivers
Those who will be caregivers
And those who will need caregivers

10 TIPS FOR

CAREGIVERS
The legal definition
of a caregiver
is someone,
typically over age 18,
who provides care
for another.

10 TIPS FOR

CAREGIVERS

If you provide
physical, emotional, and mental support and care regardless
of the pay and your relationship to the individual.

If you
take someone to church, help get their groceries,
run errands for them, help them with housework or
listen to their troubles

THEN YOU ARE A CAREGIVER!

10 TIPS FOR

CAREGIVERS

SO

As a
Caregiver,
how do you
care for

10 TIPS FOR
TIP #1

CAREGIVERS

TAKE CARE OF
YOURSELF
The best way to care for another is to care for yourself.
Get your recommended screenings, check-ups, etc.
Get enough sleep and eat a healthy diet.
Take the time to engage in activities that help with stress.
Exercise is a great stress reliever!

ACCEPT HELP!

10 TIPS FOR
TIP #2

CAREGIVERS

BE INFORMED GET
EDUCATED
Knowledge is Power seek out information.
Ask questions of doctors be ready for

appointments by having a written list of your

top three or four most important questions.
Take a notepad to the appointment so you
can write down important information.

ACCEPT HELP!

10 TIPS FOR
TIP #3

CAREGIVERS

GET
CONNECTED

Connect and beOTHERS

honest with others
WITH
who may be partners in caregiving
family, friends, or professionals.
Ask for specific assistance.
Effective communication will ensure
that everyone is working as a team.

ACCEPT HELP!

10 TIPS FOR

CAREGIVERS
DONT ISOLATE
YOURSELF!
Time spent with others is vital to your
health and well-being, as well as,
supportive to your caregiving role.
Work to maintain your friendships
and the activities you enjoy doing.

ACCEPT HELP!

10 TIPS FOR
TIP #4

CAREGIVERS

RECEIVE WITH
NO GUILT ALLOWED!
GRACE

You cannot make a caregiving journey alone.

Accepting help is empowering!
Taking a break can allow you to have
a more loving spirit.
Be prepared with a list of tasks so when someone says
what can I do to help you can tell them!

ACCEPT HELP!

10 TIPS FOR
TIP #5

CAREGIVERS

NUTURE YOUR
FAITH AND
SPIRITUALITY
Spirituality
has been linked to lower rates
of depression and hypertension.
Take time to nurture your faith.

ACCEPT HELP!

10 TIPS FOR
TIP #6

CAREGIVERS

ALLOW YOUR
LOVED ONE
Even if it takes longer, allow your loved one
to
participate as much as possible.
INDEPENDENCE
It is empowering for loved ones to give you
a break from caregiving responsibilities.

ACCEPT HELP!

10 TIPS FOR
TIP #7

CAREGIVERS

BELIEVE THAT
LAUGHTER
Laughter eases tension and boosts
your
immuneBEST
system.
IS
THE
MEDICINE
Caregiving is tough, but learning to laugh
can help ease the pressure.
Allow yourself and your loved one to be silly!

ACCEPT HELP!

10 TIPS FOR
TIP #8

CAREGIVERS

LET GO OF SITUATIONS
BEYOND
Unexpected problems and challenges
are part of the caregiving journey.
YOUR
CONTROL
When faced with multiple issues,
dont try to tackle everything at once.
Prioritize and check them off one by one
youll see the progress youve made.

ACCEPT HELP!

10 TIPS FOR

CAREGIVERS
Remember that some outcomes
are beyond your control.

You can be the best caregiver ever

and still not slow or alter the disease
that has affected your care recipient.

10 TIPS FOR
TIP #9

CAREGIVERS
PLAN AHEAD
Talk about legal and financial
issues as soon as possible.
If you should become unable
to be the primary caregiver have
a plan for continued care.
Laws differ from state to state
so consult an attorney.

ACCEPT HELP!

10 TIPS FOR

CAREGIVERS
Ask questions so that the
care recipients wishes are clear.

Complete a living will and

other advance directives.

10 TIPS FOR

CAREGIVERS

TIP #10

BE A
CAREGIVER
ShareADVOCATE
with others on the caregiving journey.
Group efforts, such as support groups, can
be a strong voice for caregiver needs in the
community, state and nation.
Reach out to your community leaders
and legislators.

ACCEPT HELP!

10 TIPS FOR

CAREGIVERS
Thanks to the

ROSALYN CARTER INSTITUTE

FOR CAREGIVING
in Americus, GA for compiling and publishing
these tips for caregivers.

Help for caregivers in our community can be found at the

EDEL CAREGIVER INSTITUTE
6000 Business Center Drive
Savannah, GA

912-629-1331

Demere
Center
For Living
A Continuum
of Care
Community
Center

6000
Business
Center Drive

Family Caregivers Membership Services

Education/Support Courses
Caregiving 101 - A two-hour class covering the core physical techniques of caregiving. Learn to
safely transfer a care recipient from bed to chair, commode or shower. Learn practical tools to
better deal with the emotional and physical challenges of caregiving. Taught by qualified medical
instructors, this class will provide hands-on training and provide time to have all your caregiving
concerns addressed .

Understanding a Cancer diagnosis - A forty-five minute class taught by a qualified medical

professional that explores cancer and the probable progression, treatment and prognosis of the
disease. Additional time will be allotted for questions, discussions, support and learning from the
instructor(s) and caregivers who understand the stresses of your situation.

Understanding a Cardio-Pulmonary diagnosis - A forty-five minute

class taught by a qualified medical professional that explores cardiovascular
and pulmonary diseases and the probable progression, treatment and
prognosis of heart or lung disease. Additional time will be allotted for
questions, discussions, support and learning from the instructor(s) and
caregivers who understand the stresses of your situation.
Understanding a Diabetes diagnosis - A forty-five minute class taught by
a qualified medical professional that explores the probable progression,
treatment and prognosis of diabetes. Ample time will be allotted for questions,
discussions, support and learning from the instructor(s) and caregivers who
understand the stresses of your situation.

Understanding a Dementia diagnosis - A forty-five minute class taught by

a qualified medical professional that explores the probable progression,
treatment and prognosis of dementia or Alzheimers disease. Additional time
will be allotted for questions, discussions, support and learning from the
instructor(s) and caregivers who understand the stresses of your situation.
Understanding a Kidney Disease diagnosis - A forty-five minute class
taught by a qualified medical professional that explores the probable
progression, treatment and prognosis of kidney disease. Additional time will be
allotted for questions, discussions, support and learning from the instructor(s)
and caregivers who understand the stresses of your situation.

Understanding your Medications Do you sometimes worry

about the medications prescribed? Are there too many? Not enough?
Is each doctor prescribing these medications aware of additional
prescriptions from other physicians? Are these medications working?
Are they all necessary? If these are questions youve asked yourself,
then this class, led by a qualified pharmacist will be of great help to you.
Hospice and Palliative Care 101 - So many people are afraid of the H
Word! And few understand palliative care. Both provide pain and symptom
management but they are very different medical specialties. This forty-five
minute workshop is designed to clearly outline the differences between the
two and who and how they can help. You will have time to have all your
questions answered as we explain the extraordinary help and support that
hospice and palliative care can provide.

Wellness Courses
**

Nutrition for both Care Recipient and Caregiver - You may wonder what
your day-to-day nutritional choices have to do with being a caregiver. The food
that you eat affects your moods, overall health and immune system. When you
experience the ongoing stress of caregiving, good nutrition becomes critical to
maintain your health and well-being. In addition to nutritional guidance to help
you feel strong and healthy, this one-hour class will address how your loved ones
nutritional needs may change as his or her disease progresses.

Caregiver Stress Relief Schedule some relaxation time just for you! This
one-hour class incorporates basic yoga poses, centering meditation, spiritual care
and support.

Caregiver Support Group - Our drop-in, one-hour support group provides a safe
place to connect with other caregivers who truly understand what you are going
through. Exchange practical information on caregiving problems and possible
solutions; Talk through challenges and ways of coping; Share feelings, needs and
concerns; and learn about resources available in our community. Youre not alone.

Life Story - A one-hour class teaching you tools and techniques to

record your loved ones story. Gathered tales can become family
heirlooms held close to the heart. They are a gift to each generation
that preserves them by remembering them and passing them on to
future generations. Every life matters and every life has a story worth
keeping. Ample time will be allotted to engage in communication with
other caregivers in attendance and with the presenters.
Advocacy A one-hour advocacy class presented by two experienced
caregivers. It is important to be an advocate for yourself and your care
recipient. This class is designed to assist you with having an active
voice in communicating with health care professionals, employers and
others. Ample time will be allotted to engage in communication with
other caregivers in attendance and with the presenters.

Balancing Work and Caregiving: the Juggling Act - If youre

currently caring for a loved one, chances are you often feel
overwhelmed by the difficulty of balancing these responsibilities,
your home, and maintaining your job. This forty-five minute class
will explore how to talk to your employer about your caregiving
responsibilities and help you access community resources and
helpful options. Additional time will be allotted to engage in
communication with other caregivers in attendance and with the
presenters.

Legal/Financial Courses
The Conversation Project Ensuring that every persons end
of life wishes are expressed and respected.How do you have
that awkward, uncomfortable, unsettling conversation about what
happens if?
This forty-five minute class, led by Dr. Kathleen Benton, Director of
Clinical Ethics at St. Josephs /Candler and Mark Schaeffer, Elder Care
Attorney and the creator of the metro Savannah chapter of the
conversation project will explain how to set your priorities, choose an
advocate, document your choice and understand the ethical dilemmas
that often surround end of life care for every member of your family.
Additional time will be allotted to engage in communication with other
caregivers in attendance and with the presenters.

Caregiving and Finances - Caregiving involves more than just

medical issues. This forty-five minute class helps you understand
medical bills, hospital bills, private insurance and long term care
insurance. We will share tips on finding programs that may help to
pay for the costs of prescription drugs, health care, utilities, and
other essential items or services. Additional time will be allotted to
engage in communication with other caregivers in attendance and
with the presenters.
Understanding Medicare/Medicaid - A forty- five minute class
explaining the benefits of Medicare and Medicaid as well as the
steps necessary to qualify and or receive benefits. Additional time
will be allotted to engage in communication with other caregivers
in attendance and with the presenters.

Additional Services available for Edel

Family Caregiver Members
Reduced rates for day time respite at local assisted living

facilities.
Caregiving 101 skills follow up support.
Resource information and referrals to necessary community
services.
Individual consultations for disease specific education with
fourth year medical residents. By appointment.
Social work support.
Discounted rates on local agency sitter services.
In-home respite scholarships for qualified individuals.

Edel Caregiver Institute Community Services**

(Made available at no cost through community sponsorships) *
Orientation - If you are overwhelmed trying to care for someone with a
serious diagnosis, you are not alone. Learn how the Edel Caregiver Institute
can help you care for you - the caregiver - as well as the care recipient in this
thirty-minute overview of our services. Our helpful intake coordinator will
meet with you privately following class to assess which courses and
resources will best meet your individual caregiving needs.
caregiving 101 - A two-hour class covering the core physical techniques of
caregiving. Learn to safely transfer a care recipient from bed to chair,
commode or shower. Learn practical tools to better deal with the emotional
and physical challenges of caregiving. Taught by qualified medical instructors
this class will allow you to have hands-on training as well as have any of your
caregiving concerns addressed and questions answered.

Dealing with Dementia Behaviors A guide to empower caregivershelping caregivers smile more and scream less. This is a four hour class
that will help the family caregiver fain a better understanding of the
impact of dementia on care recipient behaviors. (Offered by the Rosalyn
Carter Institute)
Powerful Tools for Caregivers The Powerful Tools for Caregivers
program is a once a week for six week program that will provide you with
tools and strategies to better handle the unique caregiver challenges you
face. (Offered two times a year by Area Agency on Aging)
Effective Communication Strategies - Communication is more than
just talking and listening; its also about sending and receiving messages
in other ways. Explore how communication takes place when someone has
Alzheimers disease. (Offered by the Alzheimers Association)

For More Information about membership and to

view the Course calendar Please consult
website www.edelcaregiverinstutute.org or call
629-1331