As Caregivers - You Can Ensure Safe Medical Care of Your Loved Ones

At some point or another, we have stepped into taking care of our family and friends by playing the role of a Caregiver. As caregivers, you play a vital role in providing assistance and support to individuals who are unable to care for themselves due to various reasons, such as age, illness, or disability.

In many ways, caregivers are the backbone of long-term care, providing essential support that enables people to live with dignity and comfort.

A Caregiver can support the patient by:

• Care coordination in arranging medical appointments, tests, and procedures, managing the patient’s healthcare schedule, and ensuring prescriptions and follow-up appointments.
• Acting as an advocate by ensuring effective communication between the patient and the health care provider. They help the patient understand medical information, ask questions and make informed decisions.
• Regular monitoring and observation of the patient’s condition, noting any changes or side effects of treatment, and communicating these to ensure timely intervention and adjustments.
• Providing personal care like bathing, grooming, dressing, and diet administration. They also assist with mobility medication management, handling of medical devices, help prevent falls and avoid infection.
• Giving emotional comfort by listening with empathy. Their companionship helps reduce stress, anxiety and feelings of isolation that arise during treatment.

Taking care of yourself as a caregiver:

• Prioritise sleep and rest
• Eat a balanced diet and stay hydrated to maintain your energy
• Exercise regularly
• Practising stress-reducing activities
• Set realistic limits and do not overload your to-do list
• Stay connected with friends, family, or support groups to share your feelings and avoid isolation.
• Give yourself credit for your efforts and practising self-compassion, reminding yourself that your well-being matters too.

By making your own health a priority, you’ll be better equipped to care for others and sustain your caregiving role over time Find best practices on patient care in our Health Library.