Giving Yourself Peace of Mind!
It is our hope that NAN gives you some peace of mind about your role as a family caregiver, by proving the information and tools you need to find a little corner of calm for yourself.
Dear Caregivers,
One of the main themes of the holidays is “peace on earth.” Sadly, there is very little of that right now.
But it is our hope that NAN gives you some peace of mind about your role as a family caregiver, by proving the information and tools you need to find a little corner of calm for yourself.
A core pillar of our NAN philosophy is that achieving peace of mind is key for staying healthy while caregiving. That’s easier said than done, perhaps, but remember, knowledge is power! The more you research a problem or plan for the future, the less anxiety, and more peace of mind, you will feel on an ongoing daily basis.
After all, when you've put in the work already, you will be better prepared when new developments arise, particularly when they arise suddenly and unexpectedly.
If you have been with NAN for while, you are probably aware of our guidance that, for peace of mind, caregivers should:
Educate yourself about the stages of the disease, so you know what to expect
Build a caregiving “village” of family, friends, and healthcare professionals
“Take Your Oxygen First”, meaning care for yourself through diet, exercise, sleep, and mental self-care
Embrace your caregiving persona though focusing on the positive aspects of your role, staying flexible, and being kind to yourself, because after all you are doing the best that you can!
Another key part of caregiving peace of mind is knowing that your loved one has the proper planning in place in case of emergencies or a health event down the road. When such events occur, your loved one may not be in a position, mentally or physically, to make decisions about how they wish to be treated by health professionals.
Here is some guidance on creating some key documents that will give you this kind of peace of mind:
Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) Orders: What Are They, and Should I Discuss Them With My Loved One?
Many family caregivers identify taking on the role of medical decision maker for a loved one as among of their greatest challenges. Here are some steps that a family caregiver can take to confidently support their loved one’s wishes for end-of-life medical decisions.
The Basics of Advance Directives:
In situations where your loved one cannot speak for themselves, medical personnel will turn to the next of kin to get help in making important health decisions. It is important to have your loved one’s wishes of how to respond in a serious medical situation be known in advance, through several documents such as an Advanced Directive and Living Will. Here’s how to do it.
Caregiver’s Plan B:
No family caregiver wants to think they wouldn't be able to help their loved one, but the chance that something could happen to you that would make it impossible for you to provide the care support you do now makes it critical you identify an individual who is the best “Plan B” caregiver, able to quickly take over as advocate and guardian for your Loved One in the event that is needed. Here’s how to create your caregiver “Plan B”.
Remember, if you can’t find the information you need on our website, you can always “Ask NAN” by clicking on this link.
Best,
Rosemary D Laird, MD, MHSA
Founder and Chief Medical Officer
“Peace is not something you wish for, it is something you make, something you are, something you do and something you give away.”
— Robert Fulghum
