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Caregiving Style

Caregiving comes in many forms. If you answer “yes” to any of these questions, you are a caregiver!

Everyone has their own unique approach to caregiving, Shaped by things like comfort level, experience, relationship to the recipient, needs of the recipient, and personality traits. Understanding your caregiving style can help you recognize your strengths and identify areas where you might need extra support or self-care.

For each question, choose the answer that best reflects how you would approach a caregiving situation. If none of the answers seem to fit, that’s okay. Select the one that comes closest to how you would like to respond, or how you think you would react. If you're new to caregiving and unsure how you’d respond, think of a similar situation you've experienced or imagine yourself in the scenario, and pick the option that feels most like you.

1. How do you typically approach caregiving challenges?

1. How do you typically approach caregiving challenges?(Required)

2. When unexpected changes happen in your routine, how do you respond?

2. When unexpected changes happen in your routine, how do you respond?(Required)

3. How do you typically prepare for future caregiving needs?

3. How do you typically prepare for future caregiving needs?(Required)

4. During a medical emergency, how do you respond?

4. During a medical emergency, how do you respond?(Required)

5. How do you balance caregiving duties with your personal time?

5. How do you balance caregiving duties with your personal time?(Required)

6. When communicating with healthcare providers, what’s your approach?

6. When communicating with healthcare providers, what’s your approach?(Required)

7. How do you encourage self-care in your caregiving routine?

7. How do you encourage self-care in your caregiving routine?(Required)

8. If you start feeling burned out as a caregiver, what do you usually do?

8. If you start feeling burned out as a caregiver, what do you usually do?(Required)

9. What is your approach when looking for resources or assistance?

9. What is your approach when looking for resources or assistance?(Required)

10. How do you celebrate caregiving wins or milestones?

10. How do you celebrate caregiving wins or milestones?(Required)

The Resilient Rock

Resilient RockYou are a steady and reliable presence in the caregiving process. In the face of stress or adversity, you are calm, composed, and dependable. Your strength allows others to lean on you, and your resilience helps you weather the challenges of caregiving. Your strength and dependability make you a Resilient Rock, but sometimes you don’t want to be strong, and want to rely on someone else. For self-care, consider the following:

  1. Stay active and exercise regularly to maintain your resilience and reduce stress.
  2. Allow yourself to express emotions. Resilient Rocks often bottle up feelings, so activities like therapy or support groups can be beneficial.
  3. Prioritize getting good sleep every night, and delegate responsibilities so you can have a day off.

You are organized, methodical, and thrive on a structured routine. From managing appointments and medications to handling day-to-day tasks, you plan and adapt until everything is running smoothly. Your attention to detail and practical approach allows you to tackle caregiving challenges with confidence, but sometimes you put too much pressure on yourself to be perfect, and when things don’t go as planned you feel overwhelmed. For self-care, consider the following:

  1. Just as you organize caregiving tasks, schedule regular time for your own needs and hobbies.
  2. Learn to delegate tasks where possible, both in caregiving and personal life, to avoid burnout.
  3. Allow yourself to have a casual day once in a while, where there is no plan in place.

Community ConnectorYou know caregiving doesn’t have to be done alone, and you actively seek support from others. Whether through friends, family, or caregiver communities, you build strong networks to share advice, resources, and encouragement. You believe in the power of collectivism and use it to improve your caregiving journey, making sure both you and your loved one benefit from shared wisdom and experience. However, you may have a hard time trusting your own intuition at times. For self-care, consider the following:

  1. Practice giving yourself affirmations, verbally saying all the things you do well to help grow your confidence.
  2. Make sure to have a social life outside of your caregiver role. Reconnect with old friends or make new ones. 
  3. Channel your community-connecting skills into causes or activities that you’re passionate about, separate from caregiving.

You are naturally compassionate, and prioritize the wellbeing of your loved one; striving to make them feel comfortable, understood, and supported. Your ability to sense emotions and adapt to them helps you create an environment where your loved one feels secure and valued, even during difficult times. However, you sometimes forget to take care of yourself in the pursuit of caring for others. For self-care, consider the following: 

  1. Make time for activities that replenish your emotional reserves, like journaling, counseling, or talking to a trusted friend.
  2. Consider learning more about meditation or yoga to help you stay centered and emotionally balanced.
  3. Look into picking up a new hobby like painting, writing, or playing a musical instrument. Creativity can give you an outlet to express and process your emotions.

You’re a problem solver at heart, always looking for ways to improve your caregiving experience through new tools, technologies, or by advocating for better support. Your proactive approach means you’re always one step ahead, ready to innovate and advocate for the best outcomes. However, you occasionally find yourself frustrated if you can’t quickly find a solution to a problem. For self-care, consider the following:

  1. Take time to learn things that interest you outside of caregiving. Learn a new skill, craft, language, or sport you’ve always wanted to.
  2. Use your inquisitive nature for personal growth. Find out what your friends and colleagues like to do, and join them to try new things.
  3. Learn to work through frustration by creating your own solutions to problems. Be creative, and share what you learn with others.
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