Gifts for Caregivers

My husband was my caregiver for over a year while I went through cancer treatments and then, surgery. He wished that someone would ask him how he was doing. Gift = Be the person that caregiver can talk to. Another gift is to pay for someone to clean for two hours and maybe they just do bathrooms and floors or if you have time and ability...be the cleaner.

Such a fabulous gift idea, @kjrita. Be the person that cares and listens to the caregiver. So often they get neglected as all the attention is focused on the patient's needs. The question has to be delivered with intent that the perfunctory "how are you?"
What words work?

Some examples my husband and I came up with: Are you doing okay? With emphasis on “you”. Is there anything you need? Do you want to talk? Do you want to go grab something to eat?

So simply brilliant! Thanks, @kjrita.
Sometimes people just don't know what to say and simple phrases with the right intent and emphasis fail them.

Interesting topic re caregivers who help their loved ones. I do agree. But I'm wondering how many families utilize the services of home health agencies like Visiting Angels, so that caregivers come into the home to do homemaking, personal care, and medication or insulin shots. It can be paid by Medicaid or private insurers or even Medicare. Or private pay. I am employed as a caregiver and we don't get paid much. And most families take us for granted in terms of all we do. It is emotionally exhausting, as well as physically and mentally. The only gift I value is the sincere appreciation of the family, and a client who really wants me there personally.

@georgette12 I would like to give you a big Thank You for all the work you do! As a nurse, I truly felt that nurses’ aides, just like you, had the most difficult job. You work as a caregiver in all sorts of situations; good and bad, difficult and easy. What helpful information can you pass along to other members of this group?

I thoroughly agree with becs buddy a retired nurse and I know how hard a i d e s worked in the hospital and I know how hard caregivers work in private duty since I also was in private duty so thank you for all of your service you. It really means a lot not only to the patients but also to the nurses

@georgette12
I’m sure it won’t come as any surprise but the most appreciated gift I received as a caregiver was food.
I assure you @georgette12 we never took Mary, my moms aid for granted. The first thing my mom told Mary when she came was “Sit down, you look tired.” We all sat around and talked and joked for an hour or so which was important and meant a lot to my mom.
Jake

@jakedduck1 Leonard, caregivers become part of the family, don't they? That is good that Mary had such a nice reception there at your house! I am sure she was just as devastated as you last week.
Ginger

I agree. I think what I was trying to draw out is that when the loved one is the caregiver they can feel secluded and alone because they can not share some of their thoughts with the patient and they do not have a job to leave and go home from - they are home. I would guess in quite a few cases, the caregiver goes from their day job - fill in the blank - to their night job - caregiving. They do not feel comfortable sharing with colleagues at work, they are not as likely to share their thoughts with a caregiver support group and feel more comfortable with a friend or family member. Sometimes, they do not know how to ask for help and it assists them if you draw that request out by asking these types of questions.