Tools for Your Caregiving Tool Belt -- Education

As a follow up to my series about finding a care facility for your loved one (“Where to Start,” “Always with the Checklists!” and “It’s Time to Tour”), I’ve compiled a comprehensive list of resources that may be of help during all stages of caregiving. The process of learning about the condition your loved one is living with to decisions about care either in or outside the home to figuring out government and other agency resources can be daunting. Finding much needed support for the overwhelmed caregiver tends to drop to the bottom of the priority list but cannot be overlooked so I have included support resources for the caregiver as well. Taking care of yourself will ultimately help make you a better caregiver.

Today we will focus on Education.  (Before we get much further, I'd like to thank Denise Brown of caregiving.com for coming up with the awesome concept of a "caregiver's tool belt!")

Being educated about the disease your loved one is living with is a powerful tool. Knowing what to expect from the condition and how it will affect your loved one takes away a lot of the worry when confronted with a new symptom or behavior (as a precaution, anything new should be discussed with your doctor). Education will empower you when talking with medical professionals which can be intimidating for anyone!