Time is definitely a precious commodity for a family caregiver. There often isn’t enough time so we must make difficult choices about how we spend the hours of our day. My hope is you recognize that giving all your time to others without replenishing will lead to caregiver burnout. Something on your plate has to give in order to allow you to help care for others but it can’t be your own health and happiness. Too many people depend on you and your life is worthy of a life worth living all on its own.
As family caregivers we are forced to get creative with our time in order to carve out nooks and crannies in each day to recharge our own internal batteries.
Here are 10 time saving tips for family caregivers.
1. Say ‘no’ or ‘not now’
This tip will give you the most bang for your buck. Huge chunks of time will become available when you no longer do the activity or don’t add a new one to your to-do list. Saying ‘no’ can be difficult so instead try saying ‘not now’ or ‘I’m in a crazy season of life and can’t take that on right now’. You are already volunteering and providing community service with your time. You are helping to care for another human being.
2. Reduce or eliminate email
Digital email clutter can make you dread opening your inbox. Consider a free tool like unroll.me to help you gain control of your inboxes by seeing a list of all your subscription emails. Decide if you still want to receive the subscription. If you do, then choose to see the email in a one daily consolidated message or keep the emails coming just as they come in.
3. Batch everyday activities
We repeat similar tasks every day and every week like meal planning, meal prepping, packing lunches, laying out clothes, and grocery shopping. Batching these activities saves time.
Some ideas to get you started: chop vegetables all at once and store in containers, wash and bag up grapes, portion out salads in mason jars, and lay out clothes for the week.
4. Utilize delivery services and invest in Amazon Prime
Amazon Prime has been a lifesaver. Whether my kids need school supplies or my mom needs her personal care items, with a couple clicks they are delivered to the appropriate destination in two days.
Amazon also offers a service called ‘Subscribe & Save’ where mom’s regular supplies would be auto-delivered at a specified cadence. Mom’s credit card is saved in my profile which makes remembering to be repaid for purchased supplies a non-issue.
When mom has needed something the same day and I am tied up in meetings, I have used Instacart to deliver items right to her door.
5. Divide & conquer to-do list items
We are seldom completely alone in this journey. We have family members, friends, professional staff, and work associates who could help but may not know how. Make lists of every regular chore and divvy up the responsibilities. Actually, checkout our lists of family and caregiving responsibilities you can use as starting points.
Keep the items you enjoy doing or that you must do. Everything else is up for reassignment.
6. Combine activities
Look for ‘twofers’ – two activities on your to-do list that you can combine. Have an exercise date with your spouse or a partner. Listen to the book club selection for this month while commuting to work.
7. Stay organized
Immediately put appointment and activity dates on your shared family calendar (and toss out the papers!). Add healthcare paperwork to a designated binder. Keep one list of prescriptions with you to reference when you need it. Create lists for activities that repeat so you don’t have to reinvent a new list each time (e.g. packing lists, daily schedule for your family member, etc.).
8. Discuss options with professionals
Let your doctors and other professionals know what you are dealing with as far as appointments for you and your other family members. Discuss ways to streamline your time by combining appointments, being open to call in prescriptions for repeat ailments, or allowing family members to bring in urine samples to test for infection without bringing in the patient with mobility issues.
Ask around for hairdressers and podiatrists that make house calls.
Check in to the telehealth options you have through your insurance, Employee Assistance Program, or companies such as The Online Doctor.
9. Streamline family communication
Caringbridge.org offers a great service to help family and friends stay connected during a chronic illness or hospitalization. Set up the journal one time and add your updates to keep everyone informed. This also gives family and friends a place to share their messages. Other family members can also be administrators to add updates.
For updates when a crisis is not at hand, setup a group family text.
10. Simplify gift giving
Talk to your direct family members about simplifying the gift giving. Perhaps you only buy extended family gifts if you are present for their occasion. Not only are you saving time but money, as well. Other ideas include:
Make financial donations on behalf of your neighbors during the holiday season instead of baking cookies.
Celebrate birthdays and anniversaries by making a new memory instead of searching for the perfect gift.
Always say ‘yes’ when asked if you’d like to participate in the group shower, graduation or office gift.
Need a few more tips to help reclaim your precious time? Request our ‘Help I Need More ME Time’ resource.
