June 1, 2021

As pharmacists, we typically encounter more than 100 people daily. We see patients of every age with various responsibilities and roles. We can identify the caregivers through counseling and by simply developing relationships over time. Caregivers are a large group of our population who largely fly under the radar. They have one of the most difficult jobs. Here is some guidance for caregivers to make their jobs a bit easier.

1. Have patience with your family member or patient.
2. If you are caring for someone else’s family member, treat the patient like you would treat your own family members. Your patient is someone else’s mother/father, son/daughter, sister/brother and/or friend.
3. Take care of yourself! You cannot pour from an empty cup. Being a caregiver is incredibly stressful, and it is important to recognize that it may get difficult at times. Walk outside, take a deep breath, eat healthy and stay hydrated.
4. Remember that you are human. You may fail but do your absolute best every day.
5. Be sensitive to the needs of your patient.
6. If possible, take your family member or patient places to get them out of the home so they can feel like a “normal person.”
7. Always have a smile on your face. Your smile may be the only one they see all day.
8. Open a window and let in fresh air, turn on upbeat music and do tasks that add joy to your life and your family member’s or patient’s life.
9. Join a caregiver support group in your local community or on Facebook.
10. If you are caring for someone else’s family member, remember that their family members may be hurting emotionally due to the state of the patient’s health. Comfort them, care for them and be dependable, so they can count on you to take care of their loved one.