Many support groups can lend a hand to your caregiving, including for transportation, meals, and social activities. A lot depends on where you live and how challenging your caregiving duties are.
Whether you're the chief caregiver or supervising someone else, take this short test to see if support groups might be able to give you some backup.
Check numbers 1, 2, or 3 for each category on this list. Then get your score by adding the numbers you chose.
Questions for the Caregiver and the Person Who's Getting the Care
Services in the Community:
_____ (1) There are no community support services.
_____ (2) There are some community support services such as transportation and meals.
_____ (3) There is support to help with long-term care.
Informal Support Groups:
_____ (1) There are no informal support groups available.
_____ (2) There are inadequate informal support groups.
_____ (3) There are informal support groups through neighbors, family and friends, or religious groups.
Questions for the Primary Caregiver
Open to Help: The primary caregiver:
_____ (1) Does not "believe in" accepting help from anyone
_____ (2) Does not "believe in" accepting help from anyone outside the family
_____ (3) Is open to accepting help from others
Social Activities: The caregiving workload means the primary caregiver:
_____ (1) Is cut off from doing things they enjoy
_____ (2) Is restricted in doing things they enjoy
_____ (3) Is still able to freely do at least one thing they enjoy
Relationships: The caregiving workload means the primary caregiver:
_____ (1) Will be isolated from relationships with significant others
_____ (2) Will find relationships with significant others restricted
_____ (3) Will find relationships with significant others can continue
Religious Activities: The caregiving workload means the primary caregiver:
_____ (1) Will be cut off from religious activities
_____ (2) Will be restricted in doing religious activities
_____ (3) Will still be able to do religious activities
Get Your Score
Add the numbers you selected. A lower score means you're in a "less manageable" situation. You need to think about getting more support beyond what the primary caregiver can provide.
Higher scores mean you're in a "more manageable" caregiving situation.
The lowest possible score on this test is 6. It means you need significant caregiver support. The highest possible score for this test is 18.
Your total score for this test: ____