OK, Now What?

Before you delve too deeply into the nitty-gritty of hands-on service or support, step back and assess the situation. Just how much help does your loved one need? From transportation to doctor’s appointments and grocery shopping, to assistance into and out of the bathtub, and locating important papers, the information in the Caregiving and Family Support section can help you sort out and answer those questions.

A thorough assessment for you and your loved one to complete to help determine his or her abilities and limitations can be found by clicking here: Needs Assessment. (PLEASE NOTE: While this needs assessment references older adults, the assessment is applicable to people of all ages.)

A very important consideration for the support-giver is to determine just what you are able, willing and comfortable doing. A self-assessment tool to help you examine your strengths and preferences can be found here: What Am I Able to Do?

In most cases the majority of support and service falls to one person. Very often the caregiver/support-giver unwittingly assumes the role of sole support with such grace and aplomb that the outside world wrongly assumes that they can manage without assistance. It is important to engage family members and friends in the support process, but often our attempts to engage others in providing support and service are unsuccessful. You can find tips and suggestions for involving friends and family by following this link: Who Else Can Help?