Are you receiving care from a friend or family member? If yes, you may already know how stressful the days can become without a schedule that works for everyone. Creating a care schedule is a great idea as it empowers you to have a say in your daily routine and ensures everyone is on the same page. Here, we cover how to approach, create, and implement a care schedule that works for you and your caregiver.
Collaborating With Your Caregiver to Build the Schedule
Start by thinking about all the elements of your day-to-day life. Tasks can include things like your medication regime, your physical needs, and, just as importantly, your mental and emotional needs. What things do you want to work into your schedule? And what things can you add to make your days brighter and more stimulating?
The next step is to loop your caregiver into the conversation. Relying on care is hard, but it can also be stressful and exhausting for the caregiver. Teamwork makes the dream work, right? So chat with your caregiver and assess their needs. Then, figure out how to incorporate those into the schedule so that everyone's needs are accommodated.
Structuring Your Caregiving Schedule: A Step-by-Step Guide
Here is a rough outline of how to plan your day:
Morning: Take care of important daily tasks like bathing, getting dressed, and having breakfast.
Afternoon: Plan for a mix of downtime and social and physical activities. Some activities you could include in your schedule are OT, therapy, playing a game, reading a book, or anything good for your mental and physical health. Don't forget to include getting some fresh air! Consider visiting the park or a local spot you enjoy. However, if mobility is a problem, many activities can keep you stimulated on your porch or in the garden.
Evening: This is when you should have a wholesome meal and wind down. Resting and taking breaks (even short ones) are essential for you and your caregiver.
4 Tips for Success
Communicate, communicate, communicate: Keep those lines open with your caregiver! You don’t want misalignment to build up and cause tension. Try to check in regularly and talk about what’s working or not. Your schedule can be a work in progress. Tweak it as needed to ensure both you and your caregiver are benefiting from it.
Be flexible: Life happens, so be aware that you may need to adjust your expectations from time to time when the schedule changes unexpectedly due to illness or appointments.
Add some fun: Whether it’s a favorite hobby or a relaxing walk, adding enjoyable activities can make the day more exciting.
Use helpful tools: Apps and scheduling tools can make life easier, such as Routine, Evernote, or Structured, among many others. Look into planners that allow you to update your schedule easily and share it with your caregiver.
Building a Balanced Caregiving Schedule
A well-planned and balanced caregiving schedule isn’t just about ticking off tasks—it’s about creating a rhythm that works for you and your caregiver. Keep talking, stay flexible, and tweak things as needed. And don't forget to work in elements or activities that spark joy.