Caregiver's Role

One of the most important things to remember when approaching the decision to discontinue caregiving in the home and move your care receiver to a facility is that your role as caregiver will change but will not end. You probably will visit your care receiver frequently, arrange for visits by friends and family (realizing that some will not come), and monitor care. Start by requesting to see the nursing home's care plan for your care receiver. You are also the person who will bring in photographs and mementos and let the staff know about your care receiver's accomplishments and what he or she enjoys.

One caregiver told us that he visits his wife daily in the facility where she now lives, feeds her dinner, rubs lotion on her arms, and feels more love for her now than when they were courting years ago. He has learned as a caregiver how to share tender, nurturing moments with his wife. Moments like this are possible even when your care receiver does not know that the person providing the hand massage and lotion is you: the beloved spouse, faithful child, or caring friend.

Next: Considering a Move