InfoGuide4Parents.com

If you are a family caregiver or a care-receiver, it is important that you understand your legal rights. Use this article to help start a discussion with your attorney or with the appropriate representative.

1. What is guardianship? Guardianship is a legal process used to insure that a person who is unable to make decisions on their own has someone specifically assigned to make decisions on their behalf.

Usually, as a last resort, a judge decides if the care-receiver is no longer capable of managing his or her life.

Moving through the caregiving world with grace and ease is no simple skill. However, having good manners will carry you a long way.As a caregiver we spend our day interacting with family members, friends, and everyone on the Care Team.

Common sense tells you that the people you are closest to warrant an extra measure of consideration. It takes good manners to sustain the love and respect between caregiver and care-receiver.

Dos

1. Encourage family members and friends to show respect and deference to the care-receiver. For example, the care-receiver’s visitors should be treated politely as honored guests.

The caregiver role is complex and differs for everyone depending on the needs of the care-receiver.Many times, in the beginning, there may only be a few needs, such as providing transportation or helping with shopping or cooking.

Over time, needs increase, requiring additional services, until the care-receiver is fully dependent on the caregiver.Here are some tips to help you get started:

1. Every caregiver should know as much as possible about the care-receiver.You should know their characteristics and personality style. For example, you should know their likes, dislikes, family members, ailments, etc.