A few months, I shared some things to never say to a family caregiver.
This week, let’s talk about the things to say to a family caregiver. I’ve started a list of 16 things to say to a family caregiver. Here goes:
1. “I’ve made too much lasagna. I’m running over containers of lasagna that you can pop in the freezer to use when you need.”
2. “I’m running to the grocery store. What can I pick up for you?”
3. “What’s worrying you? How can I alleviate some of that worry?”
4. “How can I be a good sounding board for you?”
5. “What do you need?”
6. “I just want to let you know that I completely believe in you. I’m so proud of you.”
7. “How can I help?”
8. “Let’s talk about the holidays. What can we do to make the holidays good for you?”
9. “When’s the best time for us to visit?”
10. “How can we help during our visit?”
11. “Thank you. I so appreciate all you do.”
12. “Here, let me hold the door for you.”
13. “Come over for dinner tomorrow night. We’re just ordering pizza and I’d love you and (your caree) to join us.”
14. “I’d love to come for dinner tomorrow night. What if I bring the pizza and you make the salad?”
15. “I’m coming over Saturday afternoon to stay with (your caree) so you can take a break.”
16. “Here’s a $100 Visa gift card. Enjoy!”
What would you add?
Resources
- What kind of support do you like when you out in your community with your caree? Tell us how we can help you when we see you in our survey.
- Receive support to manage your caregiving stress through our More Or Less, our supportive coaching program that provides both one-on-one support and group coaching.
- Join us October 10 for our next Caregiving Listener Project. Release the weight of a story you carry by connecting with a trained Volunteer Listening Artist in a private Zoom room.
- Our Sixth Annual Beginning Again Virtual Retreat will happen on Saturday, October 25, and will begin at 10 a.m. ET. I recently connected with one of our event presenters who shared about her life after caregiving ends.
- Bruce McIntyre, five-time book author and family caregiver, joined for me the latest episode of Caregiving Book Club.
