7 Ways to Encourage Your Caregiver
Do you know how to be a faithful care receiver? Do you encourage the people who care for you?
We often talk about caregiving—the central life task of taking care of people in our lives. But caregiving relationships go both ways. Just ask Joni Eareckson Tada, a seasoned care receiver.
“Over my decades of living with quadriplegia, I have learned that receiving care can be a ministry. If you are a care receiver, I’d like to share some pointers with you. I hope these suggestions can help you live into your situation with hope, peace, and confidence that you can serve the Lord by the way you receive care from others.”
Joni Eareckson Tada
Joni’s 7 Tips for Care Receivers
#1
If you are looking for caregivers, begin a specific and committed season of prayer. Ask God to bring the right people your way.
#2
Devise a “ministry” to your caregiver(s). The people God brings into your life come with needs of their own. Be intentional about focusing on their needs, especially spiritual ones. Take the time to pray together, read a daily devotional together, remember their birthdays, organize an annual “Caregiving Appreciation” event for your helpers. Find ways to encourage those who care for you, and their families. Keep a prayer list of their families’ needs.
#3
If you have caregiving needs that have not yet been met, talk to a deacon’s committee at your church, or pastors or lay leaders in charge of care or small groups. Let the church know what your needs are. Ask them to spread the word.
#4
Be specific when describing what you expect from a caregiver or helper: types of duties, how long their help would be required, etc. I have 13-15 women who assist me. Most people do not have time to devote more than one morning or one evening per week. It helps to spread responsibilities among a large enough group that no one individual has to bear an overwhelming burden.
#5
Be grateful! People don’t want to volunteer their help if they know they won’t be appreciated. Volunteers need to be affirmed and thanked. I don’t mean sweet-talk or empty flattery; point out Christ-like characteristics in their lives that you can nurture; for example: “you are always one step ahead of me when I need something; that shows you are an incredibly thoughtful person… Thank you for that.
#6
Be flexible. Not every person is going to do things exactly the way a family member does them. Learn to be gracious and flexible with people’s limitations.
#7
Again, let receiving care be your ministry. May your helpers look at you as a role model of inspiration and a pointer toward Christ who gives you hope.
“Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.”
1 Peter 4:10
The Caregiver’s Journey: Surviving to Thriving
Susan understands the exhaustion, loneliness, and discouragement that caregivers face. When her husband Dave was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease at 55, their life went into disarray and caregiving became consuming for Susan. Following Dave’s passing in 2019, Susan founded her ministry to caregivers, providing a path from surviving to thriving in Christ.
