Ensuring your parent or loved one gets the care they need can feel like a full-time job. And while that may seem overwhelming, there are plenty of steps you can take to ensure your family member is cared for—without burning yourself out in the process.

Here are five of our favorite tips for family members caring for a loved one.

1. Stay in the know.

Helping a family member get the long-term care services they deserve requires more than just an understanding of the specific care they need. Make sure you know about their medical history, insurance policies, and legal documents—these can all play a role in their care.

And stay in touch with your loved one’s doctors and care providers. Make sure that any changes or updates are documented as they occur.

2. Get organized.

When supporting someone else’s care, it’s critical to keep track of all that information you’ve learned; you never know when you might need to reference it! For some, this may suggest images of overflowing filing cabinets or a sophisticated storage system, but it doesn’t need to be that complicated.

Identify a drawer or establish a pocket folder for keeping any physical documentation or notes in one place. For electronic files, create a folder on your desktop and use a folder or tag in your email account to mark any relevant communication there.

3. Be a good communicator.

Communication is key, and that’s never more true than when you’re helping care for a loved one. Strive for clear communication any time you’re talking with a care provider, assisted living or nursing home facility, doctors and nurses, or other members of your loved one’s care team.

Don’t be afraid to ask questions when something is unclear, and try to put as much information as you can in writing so you don’t risk forgetting (or misremembering) something later.

4. Take care of yourself.

You can’t be there for your loved ones the way that you want to be if you’re feeling drained or depleted. Schedule time in your days for self-care, including support for your physical, mental, and emotional well-being.

This may seem easier said than done, but taking a few minutes to build self-care practices into your routine (even just a five-minute meditation or a walk around the block) can make a world of difference in how you handle the responsibility of ensuring your parent or family member is cared for.

5. Ask for help.

It truly takes a village sometimes, and that’s why you should gather a community of helpers and supporters. You shouldn’t feel guilty for asking for help, especially when a willingness to delegate can save you untold stress and give you back some precious time.

Family Solutions for Care does just that, helping families manage their LTC claims month after month to ensure they receive the benefits they’re entitled to. We’d love to talk to you about our services. Give us a call today at 844-858-4500!