The Caregiver’s Tip Guide Brenda Taylor, Founder ESRD Rockstars

When a loved one is diagnosed with ESRD (End Stage Renal Disease), typically caregivers aren’t sent home with a manual on what’s involved when taking care of them. Caring for a family member or close friend is one of the most important and complicated roles you’ll play. Today I want to share with you a brief tip guide to help navigate your way through being a dialysis caregiver. First, I will discuss the many titles of care givers and what it means to be an informal caregiver. Next, I want to explain where to begin. How do you begin when you don’t know where to begin? Lastly, I want to talk about the importance of caring for yourself. How do you make yourself a priority so you can continue caring for the ones you love?

INFORMAL CAREGIVING

What Is Informal Caregiving? This role refers to the help and support family members and friends provide daily to individuals who are either temporarily or permanently unable to function independently. Informal caregivers often have a long-term commitment to the person(s) they are helping. Typically, they are NOT TRAINED or PAID for the care they provide.

Caregiving can Involve a Range of Activities Such as: Assisting with personal hygiene Helping with medication (administering pills, injections, etc.) Assisting with doctor visits Performing wound care Managing finances Acting as a patient advocate Providing emotional support (HUGE!)

Challenges As a Caregiver: DON’T BE TOO HARD ON YOURSELF Balancing family dynamics Emotional and physical stress Lack of privacy Financial hardship Sleep deprivation Time management Being afraid to ask for help Depression and Isolation

Where Do You Begin?

Remember, When Taking Care of Renal Patients… Each patient is different. Work closely with their Care Team to find information specific to you Do what works BEST for YOU!...whether that is talking with other people, asking questions, reading, attending educational classes or listening to recordings. KNOW THAT YOU CAN DO THIS!!!

Things Caregivers Should Know About Dialysis Modalities-Different ways you can receive dialysis Hemodialysis-done at a dialysis center and treatments usually take place three times a week. In-Home Hemodialysis-dialyzing in your home instead of a dialysis center. You control your treatment by making your schedule and dialyzing yourself with a care partner. Peritoneal dialysis-home dialysis procedure that removes waste, toxins and extra water from the body. This process happens when a doctor places a catheter in the abdomen and the dialysis solution travels through the catheter. This is also known as an exchange. Kidney Transplant-when a healthy kidney is placed inside of person’s body whose kidneys no longer perform due to kidney failure. These kidneys can come from living donors, such as family, spouses or friends, or deceased donors.

Patient Compliance-the degree to which a patient correctly follows medical advice. This include treatment and medication compliance. THE 4 IMPORTANT POINTS IN LIVING A LONG HEALTHY LIFE AS A KIDNEY PATIENT: Encourage treatment compliance-reinforce the importance of attending each treatment in its entirety. Encourage diet compliance-remind patients of the importance of diet compliance. Discuss foods high in phosphorus, potassium and sodium. Encourage fluid compliance-one of the biggest challenges for dialysis patients is managing their fluid intake. Assist in finding creative ways to monitor fluid intake. Encourage medication compliance-medication compliance is EXTREMELY important! Assist patients whether they can administer their own medications or need assistance.

Informal Caregiver Role- unpaid person from the support system who provides help with activities of daily living, or instrumental activities of daily living. Sole Role-being the only person responsible for care. TIPS FOR BEING THE SOLE INFORMAL CAREGIVER Time management Organize Tasks Meal Prepping Medications-auto refills Doctors’ Visits-arranging more than one appointment on the same day Delegator-Asking others who are willing to complete various tasks

Caring for Yourself!!!

Strategies for Dealing With Caregiver Stress: Accept help Focus on what you are able to provide Set realistic goals Get connected Join a support group Seek social support Set personal health goals See your doctor

I Wouldn’t Change My Journey…

ESRD ROCKSTARS!!! www.esrdrockstars.com

Brenda Taylor, Founder http://www. esrdrockstars Brenda Taylor, Founder http://www.esrdrockstars.com/ Email: admin@esrdrockstars.com

Please visit our website and leave feedback…we are always looking for ways to improve and better serve you!