A family caregiver is someone who provides emotional, financial, nursing, social, homemaking, and other services on a daily or intermittent basis for a family member or a friend. Most family caregivers volunteer their time, without pay, to help with the care needs of a loved one. Duties vary and may include providing personal care, cooking and feeding, toileting, dressing, bathing, carrying out routine medical procedures, and managing a household. Caregiving may involve learning about hospice or Transitions, giving medication, driving to doctor appointments, and providing help with finances. A family caregiver may provide help from far away or live near the care receiver. It's important for family caregivers to take care of their own health in order to stay healthy enough to provide good care. Education and support groups can help.
Caring for someone who does not live nearby can be challenging. Long-distance caregiving can take many forms. You might:
A place to start is by researching options and gathering information.
Professional caregivers are hired to provide care for the care receiver. These caregivers can provide medical or non-medical care in the home or care facility.
Transitions is a community program from Benton Hospice Service designed to help individuals and families live well with a serious, life-limiting illness. Transitions is for those who are either not ready for, or not appropriate for, hospice care.