How Can You Ensure You Have a Strong Support System When You Need it Most?
If you don’t have a strong support network for yourself, it’s going to be so much more difficult to manage end-of-life care for your aging adult.
It’s not too late for you to establish a support system for yourself if you haven’t already, but don’t wait too long.
Start Early, but it’s Never Too Late
The best thing that you can ever do as a caregiver is to make certain as soon as possible that you have a strong support network. If you’ve delayed doing that, though, that doesn’t mean that you’re out of luck. It’s never too late to find the support that you need when you’re a caregiver to someone you love as she nears the end of her life.
Join a Support Group
Support groups are an often overlooked solution for busy family caregivers. You might worry that attending meetings is inconvenient or that they take up way too much of the time you need to be spending with your loved one. In reality, the other members of your support group have been just where you are and they can offer you a unique perspective that you need.
Be Open to Friends and Family
Let your friends and family know what you need from them. They can’t read your mind, so they can’t offer you a little more help and support if they don’t know you need it. Share what you’re comfortable sharing with the people in your life, but practice being a little more open and forthcoming. Chances are very good that they need some extra help and support during this trying time, too.
Get as Much Help as You Can
The biggest part of your support network needs to be people that you can count on to help you with all of the various things that need to be done on a daily basis. When you’re open with your friends and family members about what you need, they can start to anticipate what they can do to help. But having experienced palliative care providers on hand can give you the peace of mind that you need to take time away.
Make sure that you’re finding all of the solutions that are available to you in order to give you and your family members the support you need in this trying time. A strong support network can carry you a long way when you’re dealing with a massive loss.
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