Fall into Caregiving Wellness
By Becky Meisenheimer, CDP® CMDCP®, Dementia Education Coordinator
With the fall season around the corner, those of us who are care partners cringe at the word “fall”. We are so hyper diligent in preventing potential fall hazards for those we care for we forget that we could “fall” into a role of needing care. Recently I was thrown, literally, into a situation where I became dependent on assistance from the very person I am caring for. This unexpected challenge put into perspective the pieces of our Caregiving Wellness Plan, or lack thereof of such plan, that needs to be addressed.
As the care partner, we tend to handle the appointments, prescriptions, meals, errands, basically we are the driver of the bus on this journey. So, to best be prepared for an unknown or unexpected circumstance, we need to also be the designer of a Caregiving Wellness Plan.
A Caregiving Wellness Plan can be as simple as a binder or a digital file you can share if and whenever you need someone else to step into your role. Medical details such as medical providers and phone numbers, upcoming appointments, existing medical conditions and allergies are all important information to have listed. In addition, a printed list of all medications, noted as to usual time they are taken, with or without food, and how far they need or can be refilled in advance. Some medications, like opioids, stimulants, and ACE inhibitors, are legally considered black box prescriptions. Often this legal classification determines how and who may pick up the medications. Be sure to have an additional friend or family member listed with the pharmacy in case you are unable to pick them up.
Within your Caregiving Wellness Plan, keep a list of friends and family members who have offered to run an errand or bring a meal and reach out to them while you recover. As caregivers we tend to operate like we are the only ones who can handle things, afraid that asking for help makes us look like we are a failure as a caregiver, when in fact getting more people used to the care routine makes us a better, well-planned caregiver. Depending on the level of care you are providing, having a pre-contracted care agency for short-term and emergency coverage is beneficial and worth consideration.
Make sure your backup has access to your home, ways to get to your Caregiver Wellness Plan binder/folder of information and access to your legal documents such as Power of Attorney, POLST and other DNR orders, and living wills. As always, be sure whomever you choose for this role is trustworthy to avoid any fraud.
We don’t know what we don’t know, so run a practice drill and find out if you have all the areas covered so your backup can fulfill your caregiving duties. As care partners we cannot always foresee the need for help. We never expect that we will be thrown from the role of caregiver into needing someone to care for us. Take the time to prepare for the unexpected so that if needed, you can reduce stress, anxiety, and concerns by having a Caregiver Wellness Plan.
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