What decisions does a caregiver need to make in this pandemic?

I don’t know about you, but I’m tired.  Not so much physically tired, more like, drained perhaps?

Who knew that uncertainty could be so exhausting? Are the kids going to school or aren’t they?

Can I go visit my grandchildren or do I have to stay home? Should I go food shopping or just order online?

It feels like every small decision needs a huge boost of mental energy.  I already want to take a nap, just writing a few of them down.

For those of us who have taken on the world of caregiver, the myriad of tiny decisions has become overwhelming.

In order to try and reduce a bit of the decision fatigue we all seem to be facing these days, I’ve put together a mini decision tree (that’s my public health brain, sorry) to try and ease the burden a bit.

First off, I often find myself debating as to whether or not I should even take my mother to the doctor? Is the problem bad enough versus the risk of Covid exposure, for her and for me?  So, I’ve put together a brief decision guide:

Medical Appt Decision Tree chart

Another issue I’ve seen many people debating over the past few months was whether they needed additional help in the house.  This could mean bringing in a once a week cleaner to hiring a live-in 24/7 professional carer.  I’ve put together another brief decision tree to help assist this decision.

Hiring Help Decision Tree Chart

Hopefully, this will give you a bit more help, going forward.

If you’d like more information and support like this, please join us January 11, at 8 pm, for the beginning of a FREE online series given by colleague, Tamar Meisel, and myself on Caregiving during Covid.  Register here if you are interested!