Learning to Be a Caregiver For a Loved One: 4 Ideas for Things to Do With Your Loved Ones

Living as a caregiver can be a very demanding task, both emotionally and physically. Many caregivers will at one time or another feel a little overwhelmed by the strain. Spare a thought also for the patient. For patients that are not physically or mentally handicapped to any significant degree, being dependent on someone else for certain personal tasks can also be very frustrating or embarrassing.

A good way to combat this stress for both the caregiver and the patient, is to spend quality time with your patient. The mental or physical stimulation will provide a beneficial distraction and reduce these feelings of helplessness or distress.

Stimulating the patient is also an important part of the management of their condition. Working the muscles even for half an hour a day goes a long way to preventing atrophy and gradual loss of mobility. In many cases of mental afflictions, stimulation may slow down the deterioration of cognitive ability.

Of course, the activities you’re able to select will depend on the nature and severity of the patient’s condition. Whether you choose to spend time together with them at home or get out and about if they’re able to, here are some things you can do with your patient to bond and enjoy time with them.

Movie Nights

Setting up a movie night with your patient can be a great way to make memories. Watching a favorite film of yours or theirs is a great way to create a shared experience. With all the media content available online nowadays, finding an old favorite is really quite easy. And, nowadays, there is a plethora of content available at no or low cost.

Make sure that your patient is comfortable with items like snacks, blankets, pillows and, if necessary, an adult diaper that will prevent leaks while you’re sitting for long periods of time. Also keep in mind that you should start the movie early enough so that your patient is able to enjoy the entire show.

Of course, if your patient is mobile, going to the cinema can be a really good, fun option. There is something quite special about watching a movie in a cinema. Modern movies benefit from advanced filming techniques, spectacular special effects and optimized sound. This, together with the huge silver screen make cinemas a thrilling experience for young and old alike.

Reading Together

Sitting together at home, in the park, or in the library to read together can be a great way for caregivers and patients to spend time together. Reading stimulates the mind and is one way to slow down the rate of cognitive decline. Reading has been shown to improve memory and to help patients improve concentration.

Of course, you could go a little beyond just passively reading. Discussing the books with your patient can be very fulfilling and educational. Just remember though, as the patient’s condition advances, it will become more and more difficult for them to remember all the details. They may become frustrated if they’re unable to have a meaningful discussion.

If you’re going to the park or the Community Center, packing snacks and supplies will help make the trip as stress-free as possible. Whether you’re picking out books together and discussing the texts, or just quietly reading side by side, books can help create a bond.

Trying Something New Together

Whether it’s cooking, completing puzzles, playing board games, or trying your hand at a Bob Ross-inspired artwork, trying something new always helps strengthen your brain. As a caregiver, it’s a great idea to find and plan activities that help your patient feel inspired and challenged.

More often than not, people that require a caregiver feel that they are a burden to others. Getting them to do things makes them feel productive. Whenever they complete something, give them praise and acknowledging their success. They’ll feel that they have accomplished something. Trying new things that they might enjoy is a great way to build their confidence while seeing them shine.

A word of caution, though. Be very careful when selecting activities to ensure that you don’t stretch the patient’s capabilities too much. It’s very frustrating even for able bodied people when you try to do something and you keep failing. This can very quickly turn bad and break the patient’s confidence.

Another thing to consider is a routine. As patients deteriorate, they are more prone to becoming confused or bewildered. Finding an activity that they enjoy is a good way to keep the patient focused. Setting up a routine for the patient to do these activities allows them to be more organized.

It’s also helpful for the caregiver because it’s not necessary to spend so much time trying to figure out what to do all day. Caring for a loved one can be very demanding and caregivers need to give themselves every little break they possibly can.

Listening to Music

It’s proven that listening to music can help memory and cognition. Discuss your patient’s music taste with them. Find out what they liked and disliked. Our music taste usually develops during our childhood or early years. Research some of the performers or songs from this period and also those that your patient talks about.

With so much music freely available on the internet, it should not be too difficult to put together a playlist of memories. Reliving music memories can be very soothing and takes one back to good times. This is especially beneficial for a patient that may feel frustrated or depressed.

Closing Thoughts

Creating quality experiences with your patient should always be one of your top priorities as a caregiver. Stop and take the time to find fun and fulfilling experiences for you and your patient. Spending time together can be a great way to strengthen your relationship, and you don’t need to let incontinence or mobility issues stand in the way. If you’re in search of high-quality adult diapers, incontinence pads, or other caregiving supplies, we can help you. Check out our full selection of products here.