How To Be a Family Caregiver
How To Be a Family Caregiver
If you have a loved one that needs care and you are not sure how to be a family caregiver, or where to go to get your caregiver certification, then you have come to the right place. The American Caregiver Association is the nationally accrediting organization for caregivers, and we certify caregivers for several reasons. One of the primary reasons that we certify caregivers is for family caregiving.
Having said this, sometimes you are thrust into the role of family caregiver and sometimes it can be a gradual process. You see the little things at first. You see the forgetfulness and you let it pass saying to yourself , “that’s just mom.” Or, “dad does that all the time.” Later, you begin to notice other things. Stories are told again and again, again. You tell your mom or dad or grandma or grandpa that they “already” told you the story. Or, you just let them tell the story again. It doesn’t matter at the end of the day because you love them and that’s what counts.
Time goes by and you start to think about things getting worse, maybe much worse. Or, maybe you don’t give all that much thought to it. Everyone is different. Anyone who has been in this situation (and most of us will be) understands what you go through when your loved one begins to need more personal or supervisory care, and later more directed care when dementia takes over. And that is a whole other story unto itself.
Learning how to be a family caregiver is tough because it is usually on the job training. As the caregiver, you deal with stress, heartache, sadness, frustration, depression, fatigue, and so many other things. The list is truly endless. Don’t fret, be strong and resilient. You can and will make it through the tough times, no matter how hard it is right now or will be. Believe it or not we hear all sorts of wonderful stories about family caregivers who tell of their struggles. But they also tell of their triumphs. You will too some day.
Just keep in mind that there are no do-overs when it comes to your loved ones. At the end of the day you get one chance to do your best. Don’t be average. Your loved ones deserve your best effort because they are counting on you. One way to help you along this path is the acquisition of caregiver certification. Our National Caregiver Certification Course is the ideal course for family caregivers. The National Caregiver Certification Course covers the core essentials of caregiving, and will provide you with a solid caregiving foundation moving ahead.
Hang in there. Learning how to be a family caregiver isn’t easy but you can rest easy at night knowing that you did your very best for your loved one. Take time to rest when you can. Eat well and take your vitamins. We will take care of the certification end of things. It’s fast and simple. And when you are done you will gain entry into the National Caregiver Registry. Questions? Email the American Caregiver Association at info@americancaregiverassociation.org. Or, call us at 1-800-625-8108.