Caregivers Can Do Too Much
It is so easy to get into the trap of doing everything for your elder parents or disabled spouse after they have sustained an injury or have a debilitating diagnosis. You may feel that you are making life easier for them when you cater to their every need but you could in fact be making things more difficult for them in the long run.
Yes, there is a time during the recovery phase that they require more assistance with task, but the amount of assist needed can decrease as strength and endurance is allowed to improve. Not everyone returns to their prior level of functioning after an illness but there is often a level of “new normal” that can be achieved which will allow them to function without always needing assist.
Each task that you totally do for them, takes away the opportunity for them to gain strength and mobility skills to improve in that area. It is important to provide opportunities for them to learn a new way, a different way of living. It is the daily movements of their bodies that can unlock hidden potential for improvements in activities of daily living (ADLs).
Yes, you can do things faster and just get things over with but you are also creating an environment where they are learning to totally depend on you for everything. And when this happens burnout and resentment can happen. This can be prevented but it requires crafting of a plan that is centered on maximizing their movement and skill level.
Caregivers can reset how they approach caregiving by receiving assist from Occupational Therapy.
Occupational Therapy can develop a caregiving plan which includes:
1. Assessment of physical status: Includes balance and muscle strength assessment, assessment of sensory deficits and the impact on balance and mobility skills.
2. Development of an exercise/movement program: Exercise and movement is key to regaining mobility skills and improving independence. Results from the physical assessment will determine muscle groups that require strengthening and the joint mobility and balance reactions that can be improved.
3. Assessment of Equipment Needs: There are safety devices and equipment available to assist assist with mobility tasks. With the correct use of equipment, tasks can be make easier and safer.
4. Assessment of Home Environment: Changes in the home environment are often needed in order to ensure safety and improve accessibility. Modification recommendations are made to decrease fall risk and to increase functional status in all areas of the home.
Bottom Line:
When caregivers provide total care with tasks that their loved ones are capable of doing, they are not helping their loved ones to get better. Doing too much for them actually causes them to lose strength and to decline in their skills. Learning the strengths and abilities of your loved one can help you to know what tasks they are safe to perform. When you allow your loved ones to do those things they are safe to do, it helps to maintain their strength, flexibility and cognitive skills for longer periods of time. And it actually results in you doing less, and this frees you up to do more things for yourself.
Consuela Marshall, Occupational Therapist, Caregiver
Listen to the Caregiver’s Finding A Foothold Episode 24: Caregivers Can Do Too Much. The podcast is available on the FindingAFoothold.com website and on all major podcast streaming sites.
Visit the FindingAFoothold.com. Call the call-in line to tell your caregiving challenge and receive a free response to your struggle on an upcoming podcast show. The call in button is located on the website.
Visit the consult page of the website, find out how to schedule a free 15 minute consult to discuss in more depth your caregiving challenge and receive help developing a caregiving plan specific for your needs.
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Disclaimer: The podcast and blog are intended to provide basic information so that you can become a more informed caregiver. The information presented is intended for educational and informational purposes only and is not meant to serve as medical advice or replace consultation with any health care providers you regularly engage with. Transmission or receipt of any of this information is not intended to, and does not, create a therapist-patient relationship. This information is not provided in the course of a therapist-patient relationship and is not intended to constitute medical advice or to substitute for obtaining medical advice from a physician or therapist licensed in the state where your family may reside. We encourage everyone to consult with your physician or therapist to see if they are appropriate and safe for you.