Asking for help

[KatieB]

Throughout the care giving journey I learned many lessons and tips. One of the most valuable pieces of advice I think I can share with someone new to care giving is that it’s OK to ask for help. You don’t need to do this alone.

How did you learn to ask (or accept) help? Was it easier to have a third-party do the asking/scheduling?

Share some advice with the rest of us!

[Andrea]

I thought about what I would do if shoes were reversed and how I would want to help and I would be mad if not allowed. So that made me able to accept some meals watching kids etc.

[KatieB]

People say, "let me know if there is anything I can do for you"

That's a well meant but empty promise because most of us won't "let you know"...we won't tell you, we won't ask you and we don't want to me a burden.

What I always try to tell people is to just DO IT. Organize a meal chain, come over to relieve the caregiver, come over to take the patient out for an outing, see a tall lawn? Bring your mower over and cut it. Just do it.

For the caregiver/patient, my advice is to schedule tasks on caring bridge and sign up your friends, make a list of tasks that will help you and provide it to people who want to help. Ask for help. If you can't do it verbally, pass out a list...those that love and care about you WANT to help.

Xoxo

[Andrea]

Yes I agree!! No one will say what they need. People need to do! Even then it is hard for some people to accept it. For example when we rushed to hospital once and a neighbor 9 yr old and the mom took care of my 5 yr old twins I thought of payong them. Then I realized they wanted to help and I had to let them