Often, when you browse the internet for helpful resources when it comes to caregiving, you run into articles that are directed toward caregivers who are working with elderly parents or spouses. The internet is flooded with advice for these situations, but the reality is that caregiving isn’t just about the elderly. This blog article is dedicated to you if you provide care for a child, younger spouse, or friend. Our goal is to help you find assistance and resources that will help you on your caregiving journey, especially if you’re caring for a loved one who isn’t elderly.
Caregiving Resources When Caring for a Child
When it comes to children, many parents expect that the first few years will be difficult. Parents expect diapers, potty training, food messes, and more. There is a point, however, when your child is walking, communicating what hurts or they need, going off to school, and learning how to be more independent. At this stage, many parents regain some of their freedom and sanity. However, when you have a child that has a disability, either cognitive or physical, or when you have a child that needs special health care assistance due to other diseases or disorders, your child may never be as independent as you imagined.
When it comes to providing care for your child, there are many things to consider. The first step, though, is to find resources. This means knowing the different organizations and agencies in your area that can provide assistance of some kind. Here is a great starting list:
- Find Your Team – inevitably, your child may need special consultants, psychologists, diagnosticians, tutors, advocates, schools, support groups, and health care specialists. With Yellow Pages for Kids with Disabilities, you can simply select your state, then have a complete list of these professionals at your fingertips.
- Learn What Resources Your State Has to Offer – the US Department of Health and Human Services can help you narrow down the resources available to you in your specific state and help you locate assistance nearby. They can also guide you through education and job resources as your child grows.
- Respite Care – you can’t care for others unless you care for yourself. When it comes to living with a child who has disabilities, you’ll need a break. Consider respite care, where you can depend on a trusted individual to help you with simple daily tasks or a few hours a week to give you a break. Respite care providers such as those found at Homewatch CareGivers can even help you with a care plan and provide you with a local network of care resources.
- Be Prepared – children are supposed to outlive their parents. If your child is struggling with a chronic condition that will persist for the remainder of their life, you’ll want a plan if something happens to you. If your child was diagnosed with a disability such as autism, would they have the skills necessary to care for themselves? Who will care for your child if you have an accident, and how will that happen? To create this plan, you’ll need a financial planner who is adept in the laws explicitly related to your child’s situation, whether or not they can be independent, and how to keep any SSI they may be receiving if they inherit your assets.
Caregiving Resources When Caring for a Younger Spouse
It happens young people get together, one is diagnosed with something like MS or another debilitating condition, and one spouse ends up trying to care for their children, their lifestyle, and their spouse all at the same time. Whether you ended up in the caregiving role due to a debilitating accident, a condition your spouse was born with, or something discovered very recently, such as cancer, the reality is you’re not alone. Here are some tips to help:
- Instead of searching online for support about how to care for someone young, search for help related to the disease, disability, or condition your loved one is facing. You are more likely to find support groups and resources through these groups than others.
- Make sure you seek out available resources through an organization such as Homewatch CareGivers of Bryan College Station. Our team has the lowdown on all of the local resources available for whatever your spouse is going through, and we can even help you find financial support and guide you towards assistance programs.
Caregiving Resources When Caring for a Veteran
Whether your veteran child, spouse, or parent is young, aging, or middle-aged, they have a unique set of resources and assistance programs you can take advantage of. At Homewatch CareGivers, we are experts in assisting families and guiding them through veteran care. Don’t hesitate to reach out if it gets overwhelming. Otherwise, here are some amazing tools you can use to help:
- Ask as many questions as you can when you visit doctors, and if you don’t know what to ask, use the phrase “tell me more” to encourage the medical team to provide you with more details and information.
- Consider respite care; it helps to have someone step in for a few hours here and there so that you can take a break. Military families can also get assistance through TriCare and through the VA.
- Don’t forget to download the DoD Caregiver Resource Directory so that you are completely informed on the benefits you have, as well as the resources you have available to you.
Don’t forget that Homewatch CareGivers of Bryan College Station is here for you. It is always a great privilege to provide all our clients with compassionate and professional assistance. Don’t hesitate to contact us today if you have more questions or keep browsing our website for more information.
