Caregiver Resources for Arthritis Sufferers. Definition of a Caregiver Anyone who provides assistance to someone else who needs it to maintain an optimal

Caregiver Caregiver ResourcesResourcesfor Arthritis for Arthritis SufferersSufferers

Definition of a CaregiverDefinition of a Caregiver

Anyone who provides Anyone who provides assistance to someone assistance to someone else who needs it to else who needs it to maintain an optimal maintain an optimal level of independence.level of independence.

They may or may not They may or may not live with the care live with the care recipient. recipient.

Source: www.careguide.com

Facts about CaregiversFacts about Caregivers

Nearly 3 out of 4 caregivers are Nearly 3 out of 4 caregivers are women.women.

Average caregiver is 57 years old.Average caregiver is 57 years old. 1 out of every 4 households 1 out of every 4 households

provide care to a relative or friend.provide care to a relative or friend. 85% of caregivers are related to 85% of caregivers are related to

the care recipient.the care recipient.


Preparing to be a Preparing to be a Caregiver: Things You Caregiver: Things You

Need to KnowNeed to Know Caregiving requires commitment of Caregiving requires commitment of

time and energy.time and energy. You assume responsibility to help the You assume responsibility to help the

patient.patient. Some days will be better than others.Some days will be better than others. Primary duty is to see to the needs of Primary duty is to see to the needs of

the patient.the patient. You share the joys and You share the joys and

disappointments with the patientdisappointments with the patient

Source: www.jointreplacement.com

Roles and ResponsibilitiesRoles and Responsibilities for the Caregiver for the Caregiver

Helping patients stand, sit, lie down and move Helping patients stand, sit, lie down and move around.around.

Providing help with bathing, grooming, dressing Providing help with bathing, grooming, dressing and feeding.and feeding.

Doing the shopping, cleaning, cooking and Doing the shopping, cleaning, cooking and laundry.laundry.

Keeping track of medical appointments and Keeping track of medical appointments and providing transportation.providing transportation.

Picking up and administrating medicationsPicking up and administrating medications Communicating with the healthcare team about Communicating with the healthcare team about

any changes or concerns.any changes or concerns.


First Step as a Caregiver: First Step as a Caregiver: Educate Yourself about Educate Yourself about

ArthritisArthritisWays to educate yourself:Ways to educate yourself: Join an arthritis education class with your care recipient.Join an arthritis education class with your care recipient. Books can be great resources. Here are some suggestions:Books can be great resources. Here are some suggestions:

Arthritis Foundation. Arthritis Foundation. The Arthritis Foundation’s Guide to Good The Arthritis Foundation’s Guide to Good Living with Osteoarthritis and Rheumatoid Arthritis. Living with Osteoarthritis and Rheumatoid Arthritis.

Hunder, Gene G., ed. Hunder, Gene G., ed. Mayo Clinic on Arthritis. Mayo Clinic on Arthritis. Mayo Clinic, 1999.Mayo Clinic, 1999. Websites including:Websites including:

www.allaboutarthritis.comwww.allaboutarthritis.com www.jointreplacement.comwww.jointreplacement.com www.arthritis.orgwww.arthritis.org or call or call

(800) 283-7800 for more information.(800) 283-7800 for more information.


Communicating with the Communicating with the PhysicianPhysician

Very important for you and the care Very important for you and the care recipient to feel comfortable talking recipient to feel comfortable talking with the clinic staff and physician.with the clinic staff and physician.

You are part of a team- report any You are part of a team- report any symptoms you may notice.symptoms you may notice.

Both you and the recipient need to Both you and the recipient need to understand the situation; ask questions understand the situation; ask questions for clarification.for clarification.

Keep a journal or logKeep a journal or log


Communicating with the Communicating with the PhysicianPhysician

Questions to ask the physician:Questions to ask the physician: Why is this test, treatment, or Why is this test, treatment, or

procedure being recommended?procedure being recommended? What are the next steps?What are the next steps? What are the risks and benefits from What are the risks and benefits from

this test, treatment, or procedure?this test, treatment, or procedure? How much will this cost and how much How much will this cost and how much

is covered by Medicare or insurance?is covered by Medicare or insurance? What steps need to be taken for What steps need to be taken for

insurance coverage?insurance coverage?Source: www.careguide.com

Strategies for Fighting Strategies for Fighting Arthritis Pain TogetherArthritis Pain Together

Provide support to the care recipient Provide support to the care recipient while promoting independence.while promoting independence.

Ideas to help your loved one take Ideas to help your loved one take charge of their arthritis pain:charge of their arthritis pain: Meditate togetherMeditate together Go for walks togetherGo for walks together Make tasks more manageableMake tasks more manageable Reconsider your rolesReconsider your roles Promote arthritis pain Promote arthritis pain self-managementself-management

Source: www.Allaboutarthritis.com

Caregiver ChallengesCaregiver Challenges

Beware of common caregiver Beware of common caregiver challenges:challenges:

DepressionDepression BurnoutBurnout

Warning Signs of Warning Signs of DepressionDepression

Many caregivers believe they must do everything Many caregivers believe they must do everything themselves; adding stress and causing depression.themselves; adding stress and causing depression.

Signs of depression:Signs of depression: Sad, discouraged moodSad, discouraged mood Persistent pessimism Persistent pessimism Loss of interest in work, hobbies, social lifeLoss of interest in work, hobbies, social life Difficulty in making decisionsDifficulty in making decisions Lack of energy and feeling slowed downLack of energy and feeling slowed down RestlessnessRestlessness Loss of appetite and weightLoss of appetite and weight Disturbed sleepDisturbed sleep

Source: www.caregiver.com

Fight Back Against Fight Back Against DepressionDepressionTips on how to stop depression before it Tips on how to stop depression before it

spirals out of control:spirals out of control: Talk regularly with family, friends or mental Talk regularly with family, friends or mental

health professionals.health professionals. Set limits- say no to something you can’t Set limits- say no to something you can’t

handle.handle. Eat nutritiously, exercise regularly and get Eat nutritiously, exercise regularly and get

enough sleep.enough sleep. Let go of unrealistic expectations.Let go of unrealistic expectations. Keep a sense of humor.Keep a sense of humor.


Caregiver BurnoutCaregiver Burnout

Caregiver burnout occurs when Caregiver burnout occurs when emotional and physical demands emotional and physical demands are overwhelming.are overwhelming.

Symptoms are not always noticed Symptoms are not always noticed in ourselves, but others may see in ourselves, but others may see them.them.

Seek help of your friends and Seek help of your friends and family.family.

Source: www.Allaboutarthritis.com

Signs of Caregiver BurnoutSigns of Caregiver Burnout

Feelings of depressionFeelings of depression Sense of ongoing fatigueSense of ongoing fatigue Withdrawal from social contactsWithdrawal from social contacts Increasing fear of deathIncreasing fear of death Change in eating patternsChange in eating patterns Feelings of helplessnessFeelings of helplessness Increased use of stimulants and alcoholIncreased use of stimulants and alcohol Decreasing interest in work and productionDecreasing interest in work and production


Strategies to Ward off Strategies to Ward off BurnoutBurnout

Participate in a support group.Participate in a support group. Consult with professionals to explore Consult with professionals to explore

burnout issues.burnout issues. Vary the focus of caregiving responsibilities Vary the focus of caregiving responsibilities

if possible; rotate tasks with others.if possible; rotate tasks with others. Exercise daily and maintain a healthy Exercise daily and maintain a healthy diet.diet. Establish “quiet time” for meditation.Establish “quiet time” for meditation. Stay involved in hobbies.Stay involved in hobbies. Get a weekly massage.Get a weekly massage.


Caregiving During Caregiving During Joint Replacement SurgeryJoint Replacement Surgery

As primary caregiver for a joint replacement As primary caregiver for a joint replacement patient, you will be needed 24 hours a day patient, you will be needed 24 hours a day for a certain period of time.for a certain period of time.

Make arrangements for your absence with: Make arrangements for your absence with: Employers (see Family and Medical Leave Act at Employers (see Family and Medical Leave Act at

www.familycareamerica.comwww.familycareamerica.com) ) NeighborsNeighbors Friends Friends FamilyFamily


Leaving Home ChecklistLeaving Home ChecklistIf you must temporarily leave home to caregive If you must temporarily leave home to caregive

for a loved one and you live alone remember to:for a loved one and you live alone remember to: Arrange for pet careArrange for pet care Water your plants or enlist someoneWater your plants or enlist someone Arrange for mail pick-up and bills to be paid.Arrange for mail pick-up and bills to be paid. Adjust thermostatAdjust thermostat Unplug small appliancesUnplug small appliances Clean refrigerator of perishable goodsClean refrigerator of perishable goods Leave a “reach me” number with family and friendsLeave a “reach me” number with family and friends Close window blinds and curtainsClose window blinds and curtains Turn on security alarms and timesTurn on security alarms and times


Preparing the Home for Preparing the Home for the Patient’s Returnthe Patient’s Return

The following list will get you started:The following list will get you started: Clear the entrance way of any hazards, Clear the entrance way of any hazards,

like snow or loose pebbles.like snow or loose pebbles. Tack down any rugs or electrical cords Tack down any rugs or electrical cords

to the floor to prevent tripping.to the floor to prevent tripping. Move furniture to assist patient. Beds Move furniture to assist patient. Beds

may need to be moved downstairs for may need to be moved downstairs for easier access. easier access.

Install grab bars, shower chairs, etc. in Install grab bars, shower chairs, etc. in the bathroom.the bathroom.


What to Bring to the What to Bring to the HospitalHospital

Your care recipient’s medical Your care recipient’s medical informationinformation

Legal documents: identifications, Legal documents: identifications, living wills, durable power of living wills, durable power of attorneyattorney

Insurance informationInsurance information Printed material from the surgeonPrinted material from the surgeon A list of phone numbers and a pre-A list of phone numbers and a pre-

paid phone card if applicable.paid phone card if applicable.


Anticipating Waiting TimesAnticipating Waiting Times

With plenty of time in waiting areas With plenty of time in waiting areas while your loved one is being cared for, while your loved one is being cared for, come prepared with:come prepared with: Reading material. Catch up on any reading, Reading material. Catch up on any reading,

like books, magazines or newspaperslike books, magazines or newspapers Stationary and writing utensilsStationary and writing utensils Work odds and ends; pay misc. bills, Work odds and ends; pay misc. bills,

organize your recipes, etcorganize your recipes, etc Hobbies, like knitting or crochetingHobbies, like knitting or crocheting Pillow and blanket to catch up on some Pillow and blanket to catch up on some

much needed sleepmuch needed sleep


Benefits of being a Benefits of being a Caregiver of a Joint Caregiver of a Joint

Replacement PatientReplacement Patient Your care recipient will be in Your care recipient will be in

better shape than before better shape than before surgery.surgery.

They are more independent They are more independent and have greater mobility.and have greater mobility.

Their recovery is credited in Their recovery is credited in part to the care you gave; a part to the care you gave; a very rewarding job indeed.very rewarding job indeed.


Questions?Questions?

Thank You!Thank You!

Documents

Caregiver Resources for Arthritis Sufferers. Definition of a Caregiver Anyone who provides assistance to someone else who needs it to maintain an optimal