When a Caregiver Should Call for Help

Caregivers have a large responsibility when they choose to care for a loved one at home. In addition to the physical, psychological, and emotional care, caregivers have to decide what they can and can't do. In other words, caregivers need to know when they need to call for help. 

The team is there to help 

Members of the palliative care team are there to help you, the caregiver. Their role is to help your loved one live as comfortably as is possible for the remaining days and time. Part of their job is also to help you in your role as caregiver. For that reason, you should never hesitate to call for help if you feel you need it. 

When to call for help 

Here is a list of incidents or reason of when you should call for help: 

• Pain: an increasing or unrelenting pain level despite the regular pain medications and additional break-through medications. 
• Nausea and vomiting: nausea that won't go away despite medication, making it difficult to eat or drink anything and/or vomiting 
• Confusion: signs of confusion or dementia 
• Agitation: agitation that won't improve after medication or if no medication has been ordered 
• Anxiety: anxiety or worry that is affecting quality of life 
• Falls: unsteadiness and falling while walking, or falls from a bed or chair 
• Difficulty breathing: noisy, wet breathing or long periods of apnea, or no breaths, gasping for air, wheezing 
• Unconsciousness: not rousable 
• Difficulty urinating or moving bowels 
• Difficulty swallowing medications 

You should also call for help if you've reached the end of your rope, either because you're too tired to go on or you just need a break. Remember, you are part of the palliative care team. The nurses, doctors, social workers, volunteers, everyone, including you, are what is working to make the end-of-life as comfortable as is possible.