Delegation: The Art of Balancing Multiple Priorities as a Family Caregiver

Written By: Michelle Graf, Certified Senior Advisor

There are only 24 hours in the day and yet so many demands on family caregivers who are providing important daily care for their loved one. The pressure to do it all is real and can have a dramatic effect on the health and overall wellbeing of the caregiver.

But, what is a person to do? The pressure to “do it all” is deeply ingrained in our culture. Sadly, far too many caregivers feel cultural norms or personal obligations and push too far for too long and find themselves in failing physical or mental health.

Delegation does not come naturally to everyone, especially when the tasks we are delegating are so very important and personal. One idea to help with the delegation process is to make two lists of the tasks that you do as a caregiver:

1) The first list includes those tasks which must be done by the primary caregiver

2) The Second list would be those tasks that could be done by others.

If you can’t come up with a list of tasks that others could do, ask a friend to look at the list; they may see opportunities from a different perspective.

Once you’ve created a list of tasks that others could do, add details and be specific about them. Then, start with one or two and ask a friend or family member to take on that task. You could also hire a neighbor, or even get a home care agency involved.

Here are some examples of delegated tasks that free up time for the caregiver:

• Food shopping – Ask a friend to do weekly shopping for you, or use a delivery service.

• Picking up Prescriptions – Ask a family member to do regular pick-ups, or arrange for delivery with your pharmacy.

• Lawn Care/Snow Removal - Ask your neighbors if they know anyone who is looking for some side jobs. Perhaps you have a teen in your family who would take on the responsibility.

• Bill Paying-Ask your adult son/daughter or hire a daily money manager to help with ongoing bills

• House Keeping – Hiring a house cleaning service 1-2 times/month will help make your home feel fresh and calm without all the pressure.

• Meal Preparation – Local services that make pre-made meals can free up hours of prep time for a typical household.

• Help with Hands-on care for a loved one – Hire a Home Care Agency to complete this work. These agencies are insured and bonded to protect you from any legal and safety concerns.

Keep your list handy so that when someone asks you “How can I help?” you can say “Well, here is my list of options." They will appreciate the opportunity to do something meaningful to help you.

Remember that as a caregiver, if you are not in good health, you won’t be able to care for others. It’s an act of love to your family member if you take good care of yourself, so that you can continue to provide them the support that they need, as well.

If you would like to connect with a member of the Outagamie Caregiver Coalition to learn about resources and information, attend our annual Caregiver Appreciation Event or monthly Caregiver Chat, please email us at OutagamieCaregiverCoalition@gmail.com