What do caregivers need to know?

September 24, 2017

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Family caregivers find themselves needing to know everything from the finer details of drug interactions to how to empty storage units.

Here’s what our members wish they’d gotten training and information about:


What are the rights of patients and caregivers?

I would like to know what rights that I have in regard to my daughter and her dayhab programs and her living arrangements. I feel like it doesn’t matter what I say or do and nothing can be done about things that I feel are not in her best interest. Please point me in the direction of lawyers or an agency that can help people with disabilities. – Dorothy

What can be done when residential facilities aren’t properly staffed, trained, and supervised?

How does the law protect people when probate hasn’t been carried out correctly?

Legal options such as guardianship, medical power of attorney, advanced mental health directives, special needs trusts, etc. – Kim

What health insurance will cover caregivers who don’t qualify for Medicare/Medicaid, but can’t afford coverage under the ACA?

How to get help when I’m beyond exhausted. What programs are available to us, in Texas! I don’t have the time or funds to jump through any more red tape government hoops! – Regina

What programs support family caregivers who’ve retired early or taken years off of work who now can’t afford to retire?

Available tax credits — I didn’t know I could claim my parents on my taxes since I was their full time caregiver. – Lorne

How can caregivers help people with mental illness have a clearer view of reality?

How to master helping people feel relaxed about their anxieties as they age. – Kathleen

 

Written by Allison Powell
I live off of food from Trader Joe's. I spend my life in a cubicle, a la Office Space. I'm kind of obsessed with the internet. Confession: I take care of people but don't identify as a caregiver.

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9 Comments

  1. I appreciate your ideas that can be helpful for every patient. Caring for someone you love after a heart or stroke can be hard. The responsibilities and the emotional stress can cause you to forget to take care of yourself. You can also help the patient by encouraging them to get proper exercise and to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Thanks for your great content.

    Reply
  2. Family caregivers don’t need training! They need help with physical work, financial stability, and respite…

    Reply
  3. That at the end when you look back,your heart will know you did your best ,❤️

    Reply
  4. One training session that helped me is how to deal with my anger. Being a caregiver usually means giving up on your life to care for your loved one. This causes resentment and anger. I was angry all the time because I could not live my life. But a class offered by the health care system helped me control my anger.

    Reply
  5. It’s kind of an on the job training type of position.

    Reply
  6. Bathing, dressing, exercises, PEG & trachea handling, socializing behavior, yeah not the 2 minutes of discharge instruction you get when loved ones leave acute rehab, #ijustdidntknow

    Reply
    • It’s skilled training needed. i.e. if you tube feed your loved one, if you don’t know what you’re doing, in an extreme case, t can lead to lead to sepsis, which can lead to death. Or nutrition can go in stomach cavity instead of stomach, these are just 2 examples of many things that can go wrong if not trained.

      Reply

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