The integral role of caregivers
Caregivers provide care and support to loved ones who have a long-term or serious illness. If you’re a family caregiver, you likely help with activities such as bathing, medication, eating or getting to medical visits.
Giving this level of care to someone you love can be rewarding. But it’s also challenging. You may feel overwhelmed at times or even lonely. Let us help you. Our support services and tips ease some of the burden throughout a health care journey.
Managing care for a loved one
Many caregivers manage a lot of details while their loved one receives care. Try these simple methods to help you stay organized with visits and medications:
- Make a medications list: Write down the medications your loved one takes each day, including the dosage and time they need to take them. Check off the list when they take it.
- Use a pill organizer: Buy a pill organizer or make your own with a container, such as an egg carton. The organizer can help you sort medications by day or time of day.
- Update a calendar: Use a paper or digital calendar with alerts to help you keep track of hospital visits and when to take medication.
Your hospital care team can also teach you basic medical skills that help with symptoms and other care needs.
Helping at home
Along with hospital visits and stays, your loved one likely spends most of their time at home. So, along with care needs, you help manage the household. To ease the burden, start by listing all tasks that need to be completed. Your list may include medical care, daily care needs, chores or other responsibilities. Then, try to get some help so you don’t have to do all the tasks yourself. You can:
- Ask for help from other family members or friends.
- Hire someone else to do daily tasks, such as errands, cleaning or yardwork.
- Use community resources, such as transportation services and meal delivery.
Communicating with your care team
We welcome and encourage you to attend appointments at the hospital with your loved one. Here are some ways to be helpful:
- Use one notebook to write down all information so it’s easy to find.
- Keep track of your loved one’s symptoms so they can share them with the care team.
- Listen and take notes during the visit. Notes make it easy to remember what to do later.
- Remind your loved one about questions to ask the care team.
Practicing self-care for caregivers
Some people feel guilty when they take time for themselves — especially while a loved one is sick. But it’s essential to take care of yourself. Being a caregiver can affect your physical, mental and emotional health. Taking care of yourself makes you a better caregiver for your loved one.
Try these self-care tips:
- Ask for help: It’s not always easy to ask for help, but often, others are more than willing. Have someone stay with your loved one while you take a break. Or ask them to help with house chores or errands.
- Find a support group: The hospital has social workers who can provide counseling services. We can also help you find local caregiver support groups.
- Do something special for yourself: Go for a walk or spend some time with friends — something that gives you a break.
- Practice healthy habits: Eating a healthy diet and exercising often helps lower stress and keep you well.
A care experience designed for you
UT Health San Antonio Multispecialty and Research Hospital serves both patients and visitors. We make it easy for family caregivers to move through the hospital, visit a patient and use hospital resources.
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