Caregiver hacks to find you more time

One of the hidden secrets of caregiving is thinking smarter not harder.  Gosh knows you work hard.

Time is one of the most valuable things you have going for you right now.  What could you do with an extra hour a week, three hours a week or maybe even an hour a day?  

Could you take time for yourself?   What about time to have coffee with a friend or time to get caught up with your dissertation or write those extra pages for your book.  You fill in the blank when it comes to your time.    Time = joy, Time = well-being,  Time = less stress.  Time = spending time with my Loved One.

1.  Automations - you want to think about everything you do and determine if you can automate it, make things easier, find ways to put into a monthly service.  

• Meal deliveries  
• Local agencies for meal for seniors
• Groceries - deliver, pick up 
• Amazon, Target, Walmart
• Pharmacies deliveries
• Online billing 
• Dr Apt apps - using technology 

2.  Getting Help or Outsourcing or Delegating- I know right away, your thought may go to a couple of areas  - I don’t have $ to pay for help Or, I don’t feel comfortable asking for help Or, I can do it all

• Cleaning lady - do you really need to be spending your time cleaning right now?  Can you ask for help with your Loved Ones home or your home?  
  • If you don’t have the $, can you ask your family or friends to help once in a while?
  • Or can you let the dust be for a day or two.  
  • Maybe it’s only once a month or trade up with someone
• Lawn Service / Snow Removal
• Say yes to meals from friends.    There’s no shame ordering take out - have fun with it - maybe you do it once a week as a treat.   
• Trade work  - use mom’s phone and her newspaper example  
• Shared calendars with family members 
  • They can help with caregiver responsibilities
  • Dr appointment coverage
  • It also helps with multiple things going on in the week to avoid conflicts
• FB Group or Text Groups

3.  Personal Survival Kits

• Bag ready
• Car kit
• Notebook for doctor visits
• Sunday Planning (check out episode 17)
• Top 3 priorities
• Meal prep

4.  Working from Home 

• Not everyone will be able to keep their jobs they have while caring for their loved one 
• But working from home has allowed me to reduce the drive time
• I can eat lunch with my loved one
• I can schedule times to care for my loved one around my work hours
• Now setting healthy boundaries is key  (for both family and friends)
• I was fortunate enough to adjust my hours and work around the care.  
• Maybe you schedule in nurse support while you’re working or have a family member support or visit too.  
• I block my time at work 7-9am and 12-1 and 4-5  

5.  Potpourri Efficiencies 

• Grocery pick up after my hair appt
• Work from home - walk on my treadmill or elliptical  
• Dr appt - what can I do in the waiting room or can I take a walk  or  order groceries
• Sunday Funday
• List out all things that need to get done.  

Time Management and productivity look different for you now that you are caregiving.  So it may take some time.  It really was going through each situation and looking back and realizing there is a better way to do things. 

Ask yourself - how can I save time

What is an easier way

Is there a better time to do this