National Family Caregivers Month: How to Support Those Who Care for Seniors

November is National Family Caregivers Month, so when it comes to senior living at Shannondale of Knoxville and Maryville, we feel there is no better time to recognize the importance of caregivers and identify ways to support them. Caregivers can be friends or family giving care to someone, or they can be paid professionals. Either way, they deserve appreciation. Caregivers dedicate their time and energy to taking care of those who need help taking care of themselves. They provide personal care, medical care and emotional support, along with performing household tasks and more. If you know someone who is a caregiver, you might find it difficult to show them you appreciate them and admire what they do. If you want to be there for a friend in this role but don’t know where to start, here are some ways to show support, even if they don’t ask for it.

Help Them Perform Various Tasks

Caregivers tend to prioritize others’ time over their own, so it can be easy to forget to make time to perform tasks for themselves. Finding time to get groceries and other items can be challenging. Offering to perform these duties for a caretaker can relieve a burden. Go food shopping for them, pick up their dry cleaning, or wash their car. Clean their home, do their laundry or walk their dog. The options are endless. While caregivers perform duties for others, volunteer your time to do their own duties. They will be grateful.

Make Sure They Take Care of Themselves, Too

Remind caregivers to take care of their own health, so they can be strong enough to take care of the loved one. Encourage them to exercise, get enough sleep and take breaks often that will benefit their mental health.

Pay a Visit

Everyone loves some company, especially when it can get lonely. Visiting caregivers and the person they care caring for is a great way to brighten their day. Simply spending time with them shows your appreciation.

Provide Emotional Support

Paying a personal visit is valuable and gracious, but going beyond that by providing emotional support can do even more to show your gratitude. As you spend time with them, be someone they can talk to. Share stories and listen attentively to what they have to say. All the responsibilities of a caretaker can lead to loneliness and emotional strain. Letting them know and feel that they are cared for is what they need most.

Over the past year and a half, the need for caregiving has increased and become even more crucial. Caregivers have large responsibilities that can create a burden and emotional toll. Showing a caregiver you appreciate them can make a positive difference.

Caregiving can often be too much for a friend or family member who might not have the time or capacity. Sometimes the needs of a loved one are more than what they can provide. At Shannondale, these loved ones can live out the best years of their life with the comfort of all the amenities and a caring staff. Shannondale offers Independent Living, Assisted Living, a Health Care Center, WellPark Rehabilitation, and luxury apartment-style living at The Lodge.

Each member of the staff at Shannondale shows dedication and an innate passion for caring for others. The experienced staff ensures a friendly, welcoming environment for residents.

Learn more about Shannondale and its caregivers here. https://shannondaletn.com/