CAREGIVING

Are you ready to be a blessing?

Caring for someone is no easy task. It often feels more like a burden than a blessing. The Women of Faith resources show how you can set boundaries and avoid burnout. Learn how you can maintain a positive attitude and gain practical tips on how to provide compassionate care.

God is just as concerned about you, the caregiver, as He is about the one placed in your care. If you have a sincere desire to help others, the tendency is to assume too much responsibility and to overdo! Thus, you, as God’s chief instrument of care, can become disappointed, depressed and defeated.

Does someone you love need a caregiver? What if that caregiver is you? Caregiving can be one of life’s most challenging experiences and it can also be one of the most rewarding. At times, you will need help—and you may have to learn that needing help is never a sign of weakness. The Women of Faith resources will show you the difference between healthy and unhealthy care, how to avoid the burden of burnout, and how to maintain a positive attitude while dealing with difficult emotions. Discover God’s grace and guidance for you, even as you provide Christ-like care for others.

Women of Faith resources provide biblical hope and practical help and to help you overcome difficulties, grow in maturity, and move forward in life. The Women of Faith resources were created to help you … and help you help others. The Women of Faith resources are great for personal study and growth, small group studies, and for teaching and training purposes. Go deeper in your understanding and practical application of Biblical truth.

What Is Caregiving?

• Caregiving provides emotional and physical support to someone unable to live independently.
• Caregiving makes a choice with the heart and mind to give needed support to a dependent person.
• Christian caregiving is offered in the spirit of love, compassion, and relationship.

"Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.”

Galatians 6:2

Levels of Caregiving

Both the extent and duration in the levels of caregiving are dependent on various factors, such as the following: 

• Infant and child care

meets the needs of otherwise healthy infants and children until they outgrow the need for care.

• Acute care

fills a temporary need for sudden illness or injury until healing and recovery is achieved.

• Respite care

temporary care allows a time of relief/rest for a regular, permanent caregiver.

• Special needs care

can be temporary or permanent, depending on the nature of the disability.

• Chronic illness care

may be minimal or extensive, according to the needs of the patient and the level and progression of a particular disease.

• Elder care

extent of care typically grows over time as the care receiver’s needs increase.

• Memory care

generally care becomes more intense as cognitive memory problems begin to impact physical health.

• Hospice care

care is palliative ... to relieve stress, pain, and manage symptoms of terminal illness.

Types of Caregiving

• The primary caregiver is often the eldest or most responsible family member who meets needs on a regular basis (fills the major role of caregiving).
• The periodic caregiver is a reliable family member or friend who provides faithful support for the primary caregiver (initiates help and is usually available when needed).
• The peripheral caregiver provides marginal assistance according to personal convenience (occasional visits or outings).
• The passive caregiver denies or seems unaware of the needs and cannot be relied on to give assistance (often lacks follow-through even when called on).
• The professional caregiver is a paid care provider who may be, but is not necessarily, formally educated or trained.

“He ordered the centurion to keep Paul under guard but to give him some freedom and permit his friends to take care of his needs.” 

(Acts 24:23)

Practical Ways Friends Can Give Care

• Send cards and handwritten notes.
• Make visits.
• Bring a bouquet of flowers.
• Bring helpful books, videos, and booklets.
• Keep a record of remembrances—put together a scrapbook of pictures.
• Provide food and occasionally an entire meal.
• Volunteer to provide transportation.
• Reach out to the children or other family members.
• Shop for needed items—call and ask for a list.
• Bring the gift of music—inspirational music CDs.
• Set aside time for regular reading aloud.
• Take walks and do other outdoor activities.
• Offer to do housework, yard work, laundry, or repairs.
• Be a willing and attentive listener.
• Provide financial assistance.
• Become a prayer warrior.

“God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them.”

(Hebrews 6:10)

Caregiving—a Privilege, Not a Prison

• Pray to have a servant’s heart. (Ephesians 6:7)
• Realize that God has chosen you for a special assignment.(Romans 8:28)
• Identify attitudes that may be blocking your ability to respond to God. (Psalm 51:10)
• Value this opportunity, for it is only temporary. (1 Peter 1:6)
• Invest your life in the life of another. (1 John 4:12)
• Learn to live one day at a time. (Psalm 118:24)
• Exchange your weakness for Christ’s strength.(Philippians 4:13)
• Give up expectations. (Proverbs 12:25)
• Experience a deeper intimacy with God. (Psalm 139:7–10)

10 Ways to Be a Healthier Caregiver

• Understand what’s happening to your loved one as early as possible.
• Know what community resources are available.
• Become an educated caregiver.
• Get help.
• Take care of yourself.
• Manage your level of stress.
• Accept changes as they occur.
• Make legal and financial plans.
• Give yourself credit, not guilt.
• Visit your doctor regularly

Key Verses to Learn

“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”

(Galatians 6:9)

“In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps.”

(Proverbs 16:9)

Key Passage to Read

Luke 10:25–37

Grace Filled Words

“And he answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.” 

Luke 10:27 

“Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” 

Galatians 6:2

“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”

Galatians 6:9

Additional Scriptures

1 Peter 5:6-7

Matthew 11:28

Colossians 3:17

Ephesians 2:10

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Want to learn more about our other 100+ topics?  Check out the Women of Faith Resources, to discover biblical hope and practical help on these topics. The Women of Faith Resources are designed to help you – and help you help others – overcome difficulties, grow in maturity, and move forward in life.

God desires to give you hope as you face life challenges, problems and difficult trials. The good news for us, God specializes in redemption and transformation. He takes that which was lost and restores it. He takes that which was dead and gives it life. He takes that which had no hope and rewrites its story. This is our God! As you pray today, ask God boldly to transform the thing inside you that you want to see changed forever!

Thank you for your interest and support in Women of Faith. We pray God will encourage, equip, and empower you with His life-changing truth.

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