November is National Family Caregivers Month, so it’s a fantastic time to share tips for family caregivers. In many personal injury cases, family members provide care after an automobile accident, slip and fall injury, or other cause of injury. In addition, older family members often need special care. In this blog post, we’ll share five tips for family caregivers.
Communicate and Ask Questions
Learning how to effectively communicate with doctors and other care providers is an essential skill. The AARP has compiled a great article with tips for talking with doctors. If you’re unsure about something the doctor says, don’t be afraid to ask for clarification.
Get Support
Sometimes we don’t know what to say to one another when times get tough. Friends and neighbors will often make offers to help, but sometimes you’re so overwhelmed with caregiving that you don’t know how to ask for it. Here are a few quick ideas for concrete requests you can make next time someone offers to help you:
- Put together a meal train.
- Pick up groceries.
- Sit and talk with your loved one briefly while you attend a yoga class or run errands.
Keep Medical and Legal Information Organized
Create a binder or folder to keep medical notes and legal information organized. Keep track of medications, vitamins, physical therapy visits, and any other medical information. If you need help with legal documents, you can always call the Schuerman Law office for advice.
Learn About Technology
Talk to your loved one’s care providers about technology that may help enhance your caregiving abilities. There is also a wealth of information on the internet; a quick search for your loved one’s condition will likely yield ideas for providing optimal caregiving.
Give Yourself a Break
No one is perfect, and caregiving is a tough job. Be sure to carve out time to take care of yourself!
For more information about caregiving, check out the Family Caregiver Toolbox from the Caregiver Action Network.
If you or a loved one has been injured, contact the Schuerman Law office today. Schuerman Law has been working with personal injury claims for over 40 years. John Schuerman will compassionately advocate for injured individuals as well as their families while fighting for full compensation of their claims. Schuerman Law offers evening and weekend appointments in addition to home and hospital visits. Schedule a free consultation today by calling 1-800-274-0045.
