Dr. Eboni Green
December 25, 2017
As a family or professional caregiver, you play an important role in maintaining the health and well-being of your loved one or client. Yet, according to a study recently published by the National Alliance for Caregiving and the AARP Public Policy Institute titled “Caregiving in the U.S. 2015,” fewer than half of family caregivers have made plans for the future care of their loved ones, and significantly fewer have made these plans for themselves. The lack of a plan for both you and your loved one can end up being problematic, specifically if there is a care transition, emergency, or crisis. Therefore, it is incredibly important, when possible, to make an informed decision about your care and the care of your loved one rather than having an emergency dictate the decision for you. As you gather with family and friends during this holiday season you can take a proactive approach to plan for the future care needs of you loved one by having a conversation.
Caregiver Wellness: U Model
Intellectual wellness is a component of the Caregiver Wellness: U model, a conceptual model that incorporates the movement toward social, psychological, physical, intellectual, spiritual, occupational, and financial wellness, while also incorporating the empowerment and resilience necessary to take charge of your health on a holistic basis. The components are not chronological; rather, they represent collective components. According to the Caregiver Wellness: U model, you are intellectually well when you actively seek education, identify resources, and participate in planning activities that could improve the care provided for your loved one or client. Your intellectual wellness is enhanced when you apply what you learn to improve your health and wellness.
Please take this opportunity to evaluate your intellectual wellness as it relates to planning for the care of your loved one and yourself. Following are five statements; consider each statement openly and honestly. Assign two points (2) if you agree with the statement, assign one point (1) if you somewhat agree, and do not assign any points (0) if you do not agree with the statement.
I have a plan in place for the care of myself and my loved one.
My family members are aware of my personal plan and the plan for the care of my loved one.
I know where to locate important documents for myself and my loved one.
If asked by a health care professional, I would know how to relay what is needed for my loved one.
I have adequate information and resources to make end-of-life decisions for my loved one and for myself.
A score of 7 or higher may indicate that you are intellectually well; it is likely that you have a plan in place for you and your loved one. Although, you may have a plan in place, it is important to keep it up- to- date and to make sure that it is shared with pertinent family members and your health care team.
A score between 4 and 6may indicate that you are doing OK. You might find the resources included in the next section helpful in developing, updating, and communicating a plan for the care of you and your loved one.
A score between 0 and 3may indicate that it may be time to sit down with your loved one and family to develop a long-term plan.
You may find the following resources helpful should you decide that it is time for you and your loved one to develop a plan for your care and the care of your loved one.
Develop a Caregiver Action Plan. You will want to develop a Caregiver Action Plan that involves both you and your loved one or client. Please follow CCS’s six step process to create your caregiver action plan.
Don’t forget to take care of you. Listen to Caregiver Wellness: Empowering you to Prevent Burnout. This pre-recorded web seminar helps family and professional caregivers manage stress associated with caring for a client or loved one. Seminar content examines the roles of stress and distress and how they impact caregivers’ decision-making abilities.
Learn all that you can about the CARE Act. Caregivers have a big job, but we can help with some basic support and commonsense solutions to make their big responsibilities a little bit easier. That’s why AARP urges state lawmakers to enact the Caregiver Advise, Record, Enable (CARE) Act and help family caregivers as their loved ones go into the hospital and as they transition home.
The CARE Act requires hospitals to:
Although you cannot be prepared for everything, it is important that you take steps to ensure that you and your loved one have a solid plan in place.
