Get support from services for the blind and seniors. Talk to the care receiver about their needs and wants regarding support and assistance. This is not a lonely task. You can find help in your local community as well as online. You can find support groups and services for people with vision loss by searching VisionAware’s national directory. Support groups are available for caregivers. Caregiver Network (CAN) provides online support groups, informative videos, message boards, and a caregiver toolkit.

2. Take good care of yourself to care for loved ones. Keep your eye, dental, and immunizations up-to-date. It would help if you made special efforts to meet your needs for healthy nutrition, exercise, relaxation, stress management, and sleep. Caregivers are more likely to develop depression and illness.

3. Create a team of caregivers. Make sure your care receiver is the team captain. It is optional to do everything by yourself. Ask for help and take on any offers. It may be required to delegate tasks to your family members or service providers. It would be best if you were specific about the jobs that people can help you with. The CAN recommends that you:

• It would help if you listed everything you need to do: personal care, financial, medical paperwork, lawn care, and shopping.
• It would help if you listed everything you worry about, including finances, emergencies, family, and health.
• You should make a list of your priorities. List things you are most proficient at, things you enjoy doing, and things you aren’t interested in doing.
• Now share these lists with family, friends, neighbors, or clergy to help develop solutions, ideas, and resources. This is also an excellent way to recruit help.

4. Learn to communicate effectively and efficiently with service providers and doctors.

• Establish rapport and presence: Establish a strong relationship with your care team.
• Actively participate: Identify the purpose of the visit, and prepare questions in advance. You can keep a notepad for recording any information. Ask questions and be a strong advocate for your loved ones. When possible, let the care receiver express their concerns and wishes. Encourage service providers to talk to them.
• Building mutual understanding is possible by being an active and attentive listener. Be clear about your goals, expectations, and desired outcomes. As needed, ask for clarifications and information.
• Encourage collaboration by setting goals and working with your team to achieve them.

5. Caring for someone is a demanding job. Taking respite breaks allows you to adapt to the idea that others are taking care of them and helps prevent a crisis. Respite must be part of your daily routine, not added to it after an emergency. More information about respite care is available at the CAN.

6. Be aware of the signs and symptoms of depression, and seek professional help if you are experiencing them. One-half of caregivers said they had experienced depression in a survey. You can get help from a mental healthcare professional to restore your balance. This may include medication, talk therapy, or both. You can manage stress by taking walks, listening to music, and reading.

7. Be open-minded about using technology to help your loved one. These products include smartphone apps, fall alarm systems, medication organization tools, and smartphones that allow you to organize and manage medications. The Can Technology Navigator will show you what’s available.

8. Keep your care receiver’s legal, financial, and personal information up-to-date and easily accessible. You can either create a file or a notebook. It can be electronic, paper, or both. The CAN recommends that you include the following:

• Medical history of the care receiver: Contact information for doctors, specialists, and other service providers Information about allergies, health history (surgeries or other medical conditions),
• List of medications: Prescription and non-prescription drugs, as well as supplements.
• Information about Insurance: Private medical insurance, prescription plan. Medicare/Medicaid. Long-term care insurance. Dental and vision insurance.
• Legal documents: Living will, durable power-of-attorney for health care (also called a Health Care Proxy), power attorney for finances, and contact information for the care receiver’s attorney

9. Check that all documents are to care for your loved one. The National Academy of Elder Law Advocates is a professional association that provides seniors with legal services.