|
§
Caregiving
Information
§ Caregiving
in the workforce. §
Eleven
Reasons Why I Joined a Support Group §
The
Common Bonds of Caregiving §
Caregiver
Tips
§ Support Groups§
Resources
§
General
Information
Barber, Barton,
Clark, Comanche, Edwards, Finney, Ford, Grant, Gray, Greeley, Hamilton,
Haskell, Hodgeman, Kearny, Kiowa, Lane, Meade, Morton, Ness, Pawnee, Pratt,
Rush, Scott, Seward, Stafford, Stanton, Stevens, Wichita |
How to Ask For Help
There are many times when we need help. As a caregiver our responsibilities are
so great, and at times it can become overwhelming. But how do we ask for that help? WHAT DO YOU NEED?
First take some time and consider what type of help you
need. Do you need help with food,
shelter, housing, medicine? Do you need help with house cleaning, shopping,
fixing meals, dressing, bathing?
Do you need someone to sit with your loved one so you can get away for
awhile? Do you need someone to
talk with, discuss your situation with or a friend that can lend a shoulder
to cry on? §
Make a list of the things you need trying to include everything. §
Prioritize your list. Ask
yourself what do you need help with the most and which is most pressing. §
Perhaps talking with your doctor, relative, friend or a therapist will
help you clarify what your needs are. Figuring
out your needs and asking for help can be scary. Don’t be afraid to take that
first step! §
Take it one step at a time – look at your needs, one at a time,
and see how that one need can be met. §
If you can, arrange for help ahead of time. §
Keep a list of telephone numbers handy for unexpected needs. WHO TO ASK?
§
Family and close friends are often the people we turn to first in
asking for help. But consider
asking your neighbors and acquaintances as well. §
There are various community clubs and organizations such as churches,
community centers or support groups that can help during times of need. §
The county social services, senior centers or the SouthWest Kansas
Area Agency on Aging may be able to assist in a number of ways, including
transportation and home meal delivery needs. A sincere “thank you” once you have received
help will go a long way in finding someone to help you in the future. HOW TO ASK?
§
Asking someone for help can be the hardest part but being direct and
having specifics lets them know exactly what you need and allows them to move
forward in helping you. For example: “Can you drive my father to the
doctor on Thursday?” §
When asking a friend or family member get their attention and then
say, “I need help.” §
Learn to hear no. But don’t let that stop you from asking. Even if someone says no to your
request it is okay to ask. §
Don’t be afraid to ask again or find someone else to ask. It may take a few tries before you
find someone that can help you. You may
be asking for help now but in the future you may be able to return the favor. BE PREPARED
§
When people offer their help, be prepared to pull out your list of
needs. §
If you are a part of a club or group, send around a sign-up sheet at a
meeting. You may
be surprised at how many people want to help but just don’t know how. HOW ARE YOU DOING?
Have you figured out what you need, made your list? Are you asking for help? Are you getting
your needs met? If not, try a
different approach. Like all new skills it takes practice. Do you need help just once or on a
continual basis? If your needs are ongoing, consider widening your resources. WE ALL NEED HELP SOMETIME
It can be an accident, illness or other emergency that can
require us to seek help. Perhaps
you need a break from the day-to-day duties of caregiving. Maybe you need
transportation to a doctor’s appointment. But whatever it is, you can
be sure that at some point, people will need to ask help from one another. IT TAKES COURAGE TO ASK FOR HELP
We must admit we need help. We can not do everything by
ourselves. Overcome false ideas
that it is weak or you can’t take care of yourself if you ask for help.
Dismiss negative feelings that there’s no point in asking, or there is
nothing anyone can do.
Don’t assume that people don’t want to help. Take the first step, be positive, and
ask for help. Asking for help takes practice. By learning to ask, you can get the
help you need when you need it. The Family Caregivers
Program is funded in part from a grant through the Older American’s Act
1965 and Kansas Department of Aging. |
|
|
|
SouthWest Kansas Area Agency on Aging,
Inc.
620-225-8230 • Older Kansan's Hotline 800-742-9531 • Fax: 620-225-8240 • SWKAAA@hotmail.com
Lostski Design Tuesday, June 12, 2007