New to Senior Care?

New to Senior Care? What You Need to Know

If you are new to the senior caregiving community, you are not alone. Adults over 80 are the fastest growing segment of the population, and most of them will spend years dependent on caregivers like you! Fortunately, there are resources and support services to help make the transition to your new job go more smoothly. Share your own tips with other caregivers by posting a comment!

Here are some tried-and-true "survival" suggestions from experiences senior caregivers:

Join a support group. Feeling stressed out, irritable, or isolated? Support groups can be lifesavers. Get together with other senior caregivers to share your concerns, in a safe environment, and to pick up useful tips. "Unless they have spent time in the care trenches," writes Molly Shomer, Head Coach of ElderCareTeam.com, "our usual buddies just don't get it....What every caregiver needs is a group of people who are walking the same bumpy road with the same incomplete road map."

How do you find a support group?

Word of mouth. Talk to other senior caregivers for referrals. Don't be shy! You're all in the same caregiving boat and need each other.
If your senior suffers from a specific disease, check out the local branch of the disease-related organization. For example, contact the American Cancer Society, the National Parkinson Foundation, or the Multiple Sclerosis Society, and ask about their support groups for caregivers.
Online support groups. While in-person groups are preferable, since they double as a way to socialize with peers, the internet in as easy, quick way to "meet" other caregivers. The Family Caregiver Alliance has online support groups. You can post a comment on Care.com's Senior Care Scoop blog to let other caregivers know that you would like to start of join a support group!
Take a break. Most likely you will be spending a lot of time with your senior's friends or family members. Make sure that you also find the time to be with your friends and family, who share your interests. Experienced caregivers point out that as newcomers, you need to make it clear to your employer from the start that you will need breaks and vacation.In fact, this information should be written into your contract. Otherwise, given the physically and emotionally draining nature of caregiving, you may burn out! Taking time off to focus on your own needs and to be with people your own age can lift your spirits and leave you feeling less stressed and more energized.

Don't get down on yourself. It is normal for a new caregiver to experience a mixed bag of emotions. You won't always get along with your senior! Remind yourself that:

Your job is highly demanding, without many opportunities to let off steam. No wonder you may feel frustrated or stressed out on the job.
Try and emphasize the positive, rewarding aspects of caregiving, such as the difference your assistance has made in your senior's life (it has!), or what you like about her.
Self-care is essential to successful caregiving. Follow the same rules you apply to your senior: Eat healthy, wholesome meals, exercise regularly, get enough sleep, don't put off going to the doctor for check-ups, and pamper yourself.
Accept limitations, yours and your senior's. Even if you have negative or angry feelings toward your senior, give the job a chance. Your relationship will change as you get to know each other better. Talk to other caregivers, take breaks, and pat yourself on the back for the good job you are doing. Remember: There is no such thing as a perfect caregiver!
Be clear about your responsibilities. Don't get stuck doing things for your senior that were not included in your contract or agreement. How can you avoid pitfalls?

Put it in writing. Make sure your tasks are clearly stated so there is no confusion -- and arguments -- later on.
Set limits. Are you supposed to take your senior to the hairdresser, shopping for clothes, or to a medical appointment, in addition to basic caregiving? Are you expected to drive your senior where she needs to go? Find out your employer's expectations before you agree to the job! And if you work for specific hours each day, make sure the appointments are scheduled for much earlier so you won't have to work longer than planned if the doctor of service provider is late.
Talk about overtime and paid vacations. How much extra salary do you make if you put in extra hours? Do you get personal or sick days and decent vacation time? If it better to ask these questions now, so you won't be disappointed later, when it may be too late to do anything about.
Does your employer expect you to be a housekeeping aide as well as a caregiver? Perhaps you didn't think you were supposed to clean your senior's living space or shop for her food. As a new caregiver, you have to define for yourself and your employer what type of senior care you want to provide.
Senior caregiving is exciting and challenging. It can be both gratifying and overwhelming. As a newcomer to the field, take advantage of the many valuable resources that are available to you.

What's worked for you? Share your advice with new senior caregivers by posting a comment!