November is National Family Caregiver Month. It’s the perfect opportunity to explore new ways you can support the loved ones you care for. Keep reading to find out how.
Caring for an older family member can be very challenging. According to Medicare, the average family caregiver provides 24 hours of care each week. That’s as much as a part-time job. It can be especially difficult to manage if you’re also caring for your family and working. That’s why you need to take steps to support yourself while caring for your family member.
You can do this in a few different ways. First, make sure you take some time out of each day to relax. You can watch TV, read a book, take a walk, or pursue one of our hobbies. Whatever you do, it’s important to give yourself time to recharge to avoid depression, anxiety, and burnout.
You should also stay on top of your social needs. Humans are social creatures. They need to spend time regularly visiting with other people and nurturing their close relationships. Doing this will help you maintain balance in your life. By taking care of your own health and happiness, you’ll be better-equipped to care for your family member.
Regular doctor visits are an essential part of keeping your loved one healthy. However, you may not be getting as much out of them as possible if you don’t know how to effectively communicate with doctors. By spending some time thinking about this, you can help your loved one get more out of every visit to the doctor.
You should start by setting an agenda for each appointment. Doctors’ visits are short, and you don’t want to run out of time before getting to your purpose for being there. That’s why you should create a list of topics you want to address with the doctor before the visit happens. That way you can be sure nothing is left unsaid when the appointment ends.
You also shouldn’t be afraid to ask a doctor questions. Doing so can help you better understand how to care for your loved one. If your loved one’s doctor brushes off a question you think is important, don’t be afraid to press for an answer.
Get Your Free 2021 Guide to Medicare
Medicare health insurance is one of the most important parts of your loved one’s health. This National Family Caregiver Month is the perfect opportunity to make sure your family member’s coverage meets all of their health needs.
You can do that during the Medicare enrollment period by reviewing your loved one’s coverage and picking a plan that works for them. You can also reach out to Time For 65’s licensed insurance agents. We’re Medicare experts who can tell you more about your loved one’s coverage and whether they need to make a change.
Our team is standing by to answer your questions and offer advice. You can reach us by filling out this form or giving us a call. We look forward to helping you take better care of your loved one this Family Caregiver Month.
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