Caregiving Phases

Anticipation Phase 1

You see a caregiving opportunity on the horizon and anticipate providing assistance to a family member. The average duration of a caregiving role is 4 years and 24% of caregivers provide care for more than 5 years.  

Planning and preparing for a caregiving experience allows you to avoid many of the stressors that come from caregiving. Being prepared offers you the opportunity to live your best life while caring for a family member.

It is time to ask questions, get organized and develop relationships. I can help you establish a Caregiving Foundation consisting of strategies and resources.

We will discuss:

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Wading Phase 2

You are wading in a caregiving experience, getting your feet wet, running errands, and providing other assistance to a family member. Family caregivers spend an average of 24.4 hours per week providing care.

Planning and preparing in the early stages of a caregiving experience allows you to avoid many of the stressors that come from caregiving. Being prepared offers you the opportunity to live your best life while caring for a family member.

 If you haven’t already established a Caregiving Foundation, I can help you with Phase 1 strategies and resources. It is time to ask questions, get organized and develop relationships.

After establishing a caregiving foundation, it is time to investigate and experiment to identify what essentials you will need in your Caregiving Life Raft to sustain you through the journey.

We will discuss:

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Drowning Phase 3

 You are immersed in a caregiving experience, struggling to keep your head above water. You may wonder how much longer you can go on this way. Unpaid caregivers, regardless of their employment status, report that positive activities in their daily lives are reduced by 27% as a result of their caregiving responsibilities. This effect is three times greater in their personal lives than in their professional lives.

When you are in the middle of an intense caregiving experience, it is difficult to define your needs in order to find the help you need. Once on solid ground, you will regain a sense of control and the ability to live your life while caring for a family member.

 It is time to grab onto the buoy, take a deep breath, regroup, find support and develop a Sustainable Caregiving™ Routine.

We will discuss:

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Navigating Phase 4

 You are a seasoned family caregiver. You are comfortable navigating in your role. You are able to find humor in situations that others may not find humorous. 

When you have been in the middle of an intense caregiving experience, the focus was on surviving. No longer treading water, you are able to consider your new reality with experienced eyes. Now is the time to live your life while continuing to care for a family member.

 It’s time to gain a better understanding of yourself and your caree. It is no longer about how to be a caregiver, but why to be one. I can help you Discover the Meaning of the journey.

We will discuss:

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Parting Phase 5

You have done an amazing job and will now see your role as a family caregiver through to its conclusion. Finding peace in this process will allow you the comfort that comes with knowing your purpose was powerful and meaningful.

It is not easy to stop doing and just be with your family member to whom you devoted much time and care.

It can be helpful to talk with someone who can help you think through the words you want to share and to guide you so you can find peace in the power of simply being present. I can help you Let Go.

We will discuss:

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Drifting Phase 6

 The role of family caregiver has ended. It’s time to focus on your future. The possibilities bring excitement and paralyzing fear.

You have a void to fill. Taking small steps in the direction of your dreams can lead to a life lived with purpose and meaning. I can help you Rediscover your Passion.

We will discuss: