Teaching family how to be caregivers

Patients and residents look forward to returning home, but for family, the process can be quite a transition.

Family need to learn how to care for loved ones’ new or changing daily needs, which could mean use of special equipment, administration of medicine or help with activities daily living.

The Oklahoma Healthy Aging Initiative (OHAI) saw a need—and an opportunity. Central region coordinator Karisa Gregory says the family caregiver workshop developed at the University of Oklahoma’s Donald W. Reynolds Department of Geriatric Medicine to provide basic training.

“We break it down for them because most of them don’t know they are caregivers,” Gregory says to NewsOK. “They think they are just helping, but they fit all definitions of a caregiver.”

Workshops also teach family members how to speak to healthcare providers about medication management, drug interactions and health concerns.

Nicole Stempak

Nicole was Senior Editor at I Advance Senior Care and Long Term Living Magazine 2015-2017. She has a Journalism degree from Kent State University and is finalizing a master’s degree in Information Architecture and Management. She has extensive studies in the digital user experience and in branding online media. She has worked as an editor and writer for various B2B publications, including Business Finance.