1. Special Care “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened for you.” –Matthew 7: 7-8

2. How to best care for special needs caretakers?
Help them realize THIS kind of caregiving is unique
Not like caring for typically developing people
Attention is too often focused (almost) exclusively on the special needs person, to the detriment of the caregiver
Since care for a special needs person is a marathon not a dash, a plan of care for the caregiver is as essential as the plan of care for the special needs person
What follows is a 7-step practical approach

3. Asking for Help with Daily Responsibilities
Don’t assume caregivers will ask for help with daily responsibilities
Might be too overwhelmed
Might not have thought of the question
Might be too proud
Might be too embarrassed
Assume that they need help, and work from that assumption
Ask specific questions (general questions are too easy to brush off)---”How are you doing” isn’t as helpful as:
What do breaks look like for you? When do you play? Who’s involved in the cooking/cleaning? What does your day look like?

4. Emotional Care
As exhausting as this type of caregiving is, it’s safe to assume the caregiver is in need of emotional care
What is the caregiver doing about his/her feelings---especially feelings that might be considered “negative”?
Anger
Resentment
Grief about losses
Emotional care will ideally come from more than just family/friends
Emotional need is natural and understandable, but can also be overwhelming to many
Sharing about emotional needs may be difficult to do with a friend
Make sure significant amount of care comes from professionals and para-professionals (therapists, psychiatrist, support groups)

5. Spiritual Care
Spiritual care is complementary of, but not equivalent to, emotional care
Spiritual care strategically addresses questions/concerns/issues with God, Faith, and meaning
Should come from trained and mature persons, experienced in accompanying others on their spiritual journeys
Don’t assume a religious is necessarily equipped to do this, or a layperson isn’t

6. Explore Social Resources
Isolation is a killer
Does the caregiver have a social life
Leaves the home
has fun, and laughs
experiences life outside of caregiving
talks about subjects unrelated to caregiving
Who/where are the caregiver’s friends?
Are they physically present?
Are they current?
Are the relationships mutual?
Some kind of a day program for the special needs person or respite care is beneficial for all involved

7. Medical Health The caregiver’s medical health is an essential issue
If the caregiver becomes sick or physically unable to continue giving care, what happens to the special needs person?
Exercise and diet
Regular medical check-ups (including psychiatric health)

8. Care for the Family System
Family systems can suffer when there is an imbalance of attention and care
If caregiver is married, the marriage must be a subject of ongoing concern
If other children (especially those still living at home) are part of the picture, their needs and concerns must be heard
Are responsibilities around the home being properly assigned/assumed?
Are there legal issues that need to be addressed?
Special needs trust
Will (power of attorney, conservatorship, etc.)
Succession plan

9. “Stop Light” Assessment: For now and for the future
Green Light: what is working, and should continue?
Yellow Light: what is not working as well as it once did, or needs to be re-considered?
Red Light: what is not working, and needs to be addressed and changed immediately?
Note: Caregiving is an ever-changing process, and regular updates are essential