Here we are stuck with this pandemic, but we still need to care for our loved ones without putting them in danger. This makes extra challenges for a caregiver as if they didn’t already have enough.

Here are some helpful suggestions to get through this pandemic as a caregiver and keep your sanity:

In many families, all caregiving responsibility was downsized to a smaller circle of caregivers within that family. Often, one family member assumed all responsibilities to reduce the risk of exposure and spread of COVID-19.

Caregiver needs increased while supportive resources or options available to the caregiver or the loved one were reduced.

Increasing caregiver duties and responsibilities and providing little to no support for those new responsibilities leads to significant stress for the caregiver.

During the pandemic, some families decided to relocate family members from residential assisted living and nursing home care facilities into their homes.

Early in the pandemic, many nursing homes made the necessary decision to restrict visitors to reduce the spread of COVID-19 and protect residents.

Some families decided to assume primary caregiver responsibility in their homes because they wanted to have their loved one surrounded by family during the pandemic and did not want to risk illness or not being able to see each other.

This change in responsibility often occurred quickly with little to no formal support for in–home caregivers.

COVID-19 created new family dynamics as family members had different options and approaches to stopping the spread of the virus.

Different options and approaches to caregiving within a family are not uncommon.

However, this new dynamic was at the forefront.

Many caregivers needed to manage public health recommendations, the loved one’s wants and needs, family members’ wants and needs, differing opinions about safe behaviors outside of the home and COVID-19 quarantine recommendations on behalf of their loved one.

A loved one’s need for caregiving creates a new family dynamic and stressor, regardless if it occurred during a pandemic or not.

In some cases, families responded to the stress of the illness, disability or aging phase of a loved one with increased teamwork and support.

However, in other cases, the stress of the caregiver role causes uncertainty and challenges that may be beyond coping capabilities of the family.

The uncertainty of and threat of COVID-19 added vulnerability and strain to a tense situation.

It is very important to talk about needs or next steps at a family meeting or group text with responses and acknowledgement from all contributing family members.

Keep everyone informed.

Provide activity updates when family members take over or leave a support shift so they know what has happened and can be prepared if it continues.

Caregiving is meant to be supportive and optimize daily living functioning within the loved one’s ability. Empower the loved one to do what he or she can.

Helping too much, too early can create more challenges.

Getting enough rest and time for self-care is vital for caregivers to recharge and prevent becoming overwhelmed or burned out.

The COVID-19 pandemic reminds us more than ever that life and the caregiving experience are unpredictable.

Doing the best you can with what you have available is a good way to give and take care.

We are here to help you in your caregiving journey.

Contact Twila Doucet, Caregiver Coordinator, LTCA of Enid Area Agency on Aging, 202 W. Broadway, Enid, OK 580-234-7475.