Valentine's Day is the day we dedicate to showing those in our lives how much we love them. It’s a special time that reminds us to let the ones closest to us know that we love them. Family caregivers dedicate their lives to the ones they care for and Valentine's Day is a great time to show a family caregiver in your life how much they are loved and appreciated. Below are ten ways to show a family caregiver some love on Valentine's Day.
1) Offer to come and stay with the person the family caregiver cares for, giving the caregiver a few hours to do whatever they want. If special training is required to care for the individual, ask to be trained so the family caregiver can rest easy while they are away from the home. This may take extra time, so prepare accordingly.
2) Gift a home cooked meal. Many family caregivers spend countless hours on the road headed to doctor's appointments, running errands, filling prescriptions, etc. and often times eat far too many meals from a fast food chain. A home cooked meal, that they do not have to cook, will mean more than you ever expect.
3) Offer to come over and just sit and have coffee. Many family caregivers feel isolated and often times just need someone to talk to. Pick a day, bring the coffee, and just listen.
4) Ask the caregiver if you can come help around the home. Ask them if sweeping, unloading the dishwasher, catching up on laundry, or changing sheets would be of help. Many caregivers spend the last hours of the night catching up on these tasks after they have put their loved one to bed.
5) Send a card signed by the people in his/her life that mean the most. This card will show how much the caregiver how much his/her "village" means to them.
6) Put together a care package. This package could contain a candle, bubble bath, a magazine or book, bottle of wine, and some chocolates. You have given the caregiver what they need to relax....when they can find the time.
7) Send flowers, chocolates, or an edible arrangement.
8) Purchase their favorite magazine subscription. Many caregivers spend countless hours in hospital and doctor waiting rooms, this will give them something to pass the time.
9) Purchase a gift card for something the family caregiver needs. Caregiving can be very expensive and many caregivers go without to make sure the one they love for is taken care of. The caregiver may need new clothes or a haircut but decides to put these needs to the side due to the cost. Gifts that help and ease the burden are always nice.
10) Ask the family caregiver if you can spend the day with them. Tell them how much you appreciate what they do for their loved one and you want to know how their days really are. This will let the family caregiver know that you find value in their time and how much you appreciate them.