Tips for Caregiving During the Pandemic

Tips for Caregiving During the Pandemic

The coronavirus 2019 pandemic has affected the world in so many ways. Not only did it impair economically in all parts of the globe, but it has also changed the day-to-day lives of the people. For some, it has been a fair chance. But for others, it spontaneously counterfeited a handful of aspects and posed a lot of issues in their lives. In the caregiving sector, it added complexity to all parts, not only to the patients but also to the providers. Like any other people, the significant impact that it has imposed is in the mental health factor. The effects of the pandemic on the public’s mental health are dreadful. People are scared and isolated, triggering mental health conditions. Everybody is adjusting to the new normal. As others say, the effect of the virus on mental well-being is even more frightening than the actual virus’s effect.  That being said, imagine what the pandemic brought to caregiving.

Caregiving experiences are different for everybody. One of the misconceptions of caregiving is that people think that all processes are the same when everything works differently for everyone. However, all have one purpose and goal to provide care to those who need it. That is why everyone must also need to prepare for the possible sudden happenings that you can’t control, such as the pandemic. If you have been experiencing caregiving challenges, either you are taking care of the patient or the elderly, or you have someone special who is staying in care facilities, you must expect greater challenges. 

This article will give you tips on how you can stay prepared for the coming challenges. It will also help you learn how you can continue to provide high-quality care for your loved ones or patients during these times. Below are the helpful points:

Look Into the  Care Facility

This tip is for those who have a loved one in senior care centers. To have peace of mind, you can always choose to follow-up and get updates about your loved one’s state. You can do this regularly, or you can do it twice a week. Learn about the protocols and guidelines about how they are handling the changes. It is best to ensure that all of the safety and health protocols are planned and implemented well. You can also make sure that all the caregivers will not risk exposing the residents to the virus. 

Practice Proper Hygiene

This is for those who provide care for their loved ones at home or decide to move their loved ones back home from the facility. Before you do that, you need to consider the standard of treatment that he or she needs on a regular basis and whether you are secure in your ability to meet those needs. Additionally, because you are home, you need to know the proper guideline for proper hygiene and sanitation techniques. You can inquire about your local public health agency and ask them about it. There are also free information on the internet on hygiene tips to help keep the COVID-19 virus out of your home. 

Take Care of Yourself

It’s an understatement to say that the coronavirus outbreak is a difficult time, particularly for already stressed caregivers. Together with self-isolation, fear and anxiety trigger intense or excessive feelings and can even lead to depression. As mentioned in the first part of the article, taking care of your mental health has become ever more critical to protect your health and overall well-being. Thus, for you to provide care to the ones who need it, you need to take care of your mental health. Without good mental health, you can not execute the proper care for them. One way you can do this is by maintaining a healthy routine. Caregivers should have a daily routine because they’re caring for an older adult who needs one. They need to be the best version of themselves for the job. 
Overall, a lot of people have been affected by the pandemic. Caregivers are not exempted from this. In fact, they are one of those who are greatly affected. However, there are ways on how they can prepare for it. Hopefully, the points above have somehow helped you provide the best care possible during these uncertain times. Caregiving can be tough to do, but it is a fulfilling job. If you want to get a view of what it looks like to be one, you should get Eleanor Gaccetta’s One Caregiver’s Journey. Gaccetta shares insights, practical advice, and experiences how her caregiving routine is like. You can surely learn from this.