How to Manage Awkward Tasks

As a caregiver, the person you’re caring for may need you to help them with their personal care and, sometimes, you may have to do some unpleasant tasks that you thought were only done by nurses, doctors or other health care professionals.

This can be stressful and it might feel life changing, but you also know that you have to get it done. So, where do you begin?

In this video, we’ll give you some tips on how to do those awkward tasks a little easier & help reduce some stress.

Let’s try it.

First, try to distract yourselves from what you’re doing.

Like, when you’re giving a bed bath, you could have the radio or TV on in the background. This will give you both something else to focus on.

Try talking about something totally off topic from what you’re doing – Maybe chat about what you’re going to have for lunch or what you think is going to happen next on a favorite TV show.

Keeping the person you’re caring for as covered as possible during personal care is also helpful. Using a towel or sheet to keep them covered up can make washing a little more comfortable and has a side benefit of keeping them warm while you work.

Get through it as quickly and safely as possible. If you’re in between showers and bed baths, and you have to do something like wash their genitals, try using special wipes to do this instead of a full wash. This will make the process a lot quicker!

Also, if they’re able to manage some of their own care, have them do as much as they can themselves. You may be able to have them wash their genitals in the shower and just be nearby for safety and to help them wash their back or feet.

When you’re doing these tasks, you’re both probably feeling uncomfortable. It can be helpful to just talk about your feelings openly and say it’s uncomfortable for the both of you.

Try using the medical terms for the hard to get through tasks. Instead of saying you’re going to wash their genitals, opt for the medical terms and say that you’re going to do their perineal care. It may seem silly, but it can help separate those tasks from your normal relationship.

Ask for help if you need it. Many services are covered by the government and the person you’re caring for might qualify to have help provided like personal support workers to help with showers or nurses to help with a task that might scare you, like giving a needle.

Last but not least, it’s okay to have fun when you can and use some humor. When it won’t hurt feelings, making light of a situation by joking around can help make the tasks a little easier, a little less awkward and a little more fun.
There are some tasks that will always be a little bit awkward but giving these tips a try to see what works for you will help you both get through them a little easier.

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