Here Are More Tips On How To Help Someone Who Is Helping Others

This is a continuation of the article listed in the P.S. below:

Do you know a caregiver? Maybe a neighbor who keeps to themselves? A member of your church who hasn’t been attending because they are nervous about bringing their loved one? A coworker who is struggling? A friend or even a family member? How about paying them a visit?

Statistics reveal that between 40% and 70% of family caregivers experience symptoms of depression, which can often be caused by feelings of isolation and loneliness associated with the act of caregiving. Throughout COVID, we have heard about the isolation and loneliness of residents in long-term care communities. Yet there is another group of people who often feel alone and depressed: caregivers.

More ideas on how to help:

• Offer to pick up prescriptions or groceries.
• Take their loved one out of the house for ice cream, a walk, or a visit to a garden so the caregiver can have a break.
• Make a double dinner, like two lasagnas or two casseroles. Keep one and share one. Think of something that can be frozen so they can heat it up when they just can’t do one more thing. You don’t cook? Give them a gift certificate for delivery.
• Offer help with their lawn or shoveling snow.
• You could bring a puzzle or a craft the care receiver would enjoy and encourage the caregiver to go to a support group.
• Walk their dog for them – or stay with their loved one while the caregiver gets out to walk the dog.
• Get an oil change for their car. Maybe get it vacuumed and washed too.

Don’t discount what doing something good for someone else can do for you. Performing acts of kindness decreases feelings of depression, gives you a sense of belonging, lowers your blood pressure, boosts your happiness, and increases self-esteem. The more you do for others, the more you are doing for yourself!

By Karen Stobbe

P.S. Visit A Caregiver, And Sweeten Their Day And Yours