Creating An Effective Caregiving Routine During COVID-19

It has been several months, and COVID-19 still rampages throughout the U.S. Hospitalizations and deaths continue to climb even as many regions look to reopen. The only thing that’s clear at this point is that the pandemic is not over.

Even with the new vaccines, at this point, it’s not even clear when it will end.

This state of affairs represents a unique challenge for caregivers. Whether due to age or illness, the people under your care are uniquely vulnerable to the coronavirus. It is your job to not only guard them against infection as best you can, but also to establish a caregiving routine that helps your patient cope with the anxiety and isolation that go hand-in-hand with the pandemic.

But how do you do that, exactly?

First, Take Care of Yourself

For many, the novel coronavirus is not the only danger they face. The stress and uncertainty created by the pandemic are exhausting on every level, and as such have the potential to be extremely damaging to your overall mental health. In some cases, prolonged stress can even be damaging to your physical health.
Moreover, lockdown and social distancing measures mean less exercise, less social interaction, and generally, less of everything people do to stay healthy.

COVID-19 isn’t just creating physical health problems – it’s creating significant mental health fallout as well. It’s important, first and foremost, that you acknowledge this. Understand the impact the pandemic is having on you, and take the necessary measures to care for yourself.

The reality of being a caregiver is that you cannot care for another person unless you are taking proper care of yourself. If your own mental and physical health is failing, your patient’s care will suffer. Not only are you likely to make mistakes, but you simply won’t have the energy to put as much into their care as necessary.

Keep The Essentials Well-Stocked

Once you’ve taken care of yourself, the next step is to ensure that you stock up as much as possible. Make a list of everything you need to care for your patient or loved one, from shampoo and toilet paper to medical supplies. While I don’t encourage panic buying and preparing for several months of isolation, you should, at a minimum, at least have enough non-perishable food and hygiene products to last for two weeks to a month. 

Ideally, you’ll want to get all your items delivered via a grocery service such as Instacart. If that’s not possible, you may need to brave the store. I’ll cover that under the next heading. 

Disinfect Everything

Some level of contact with the outside world is unavoidable. Even if you don’t go out, you need to get groceries and supplies delivered on occasion.  While the WHO notes that food and grocery delivery should be safe if the provider follows proper hygiene practices, it’s better to be safe than sorry when you’re caring for an immunocompromised patient. 

Focus on Your Patient’s Mental Wellness

Generally speaking, you should care for your patient’s physical needs during the coronavirus pandemic in the same way as you did beforehand. This may mean bathing them two to three times a week, moving them to prevent bedsores, changing their clothes and bedding regularly, washing their hair once to twice a week, and providing them with exercise routines to help them stave off weight gain.

If you don’t already have an established, set physical care routine, talk to your patient to figure out a schedule that’s most convenient for them, but understand that their needs aren’t always going to fit a schedule.

Beyond that, you will want to implement additional measures to help safeguard your patient’s mental and emotional well-being. They’re likely just as stressed as you are, especially if they’ve transitioned from a care center to your home. And if they aren’t entirely bedridden, the fact that they cannot go outside may be extremely troubling to them.

The good news is that many of the same tactics you’ve used for psychological self-care can be applied to your patient. 

Keep Your Eyes Forward. It Will Get Better

As a caregiver, you face a unique set of challenges where the coronavirus pandemic is concerned. But you’re more than capable of rising to them. Keep your chin up and know that eventually, things will get better.