Life Coaching and the Caregiver

Life Coaching and the Caregiver
by Marcus M. Padulchick, ND, Life Coach
Copyright © 2006

Coach: Tell me about your week.

Caregiver: A typical week, I’ve been completely consumed with taking care of my mother. I feel burnt out and overwhelmed. I wish I could make some time for myself.

Coach: I hear your frustration. Let’s see if there are ways to find some balance between caregiving for your mom and self-care for you. Together we can set some realistic and manageable goals that will help you reduce stress and find a greater sense of peace. Let’s start…

This is a familiar dialogue between a Life Coach and a client who in this case is also a caregiver. In this situation, the coach may guide the caregiver toward prioritizing her responsibilities, managing her time efficiently, organizing her home and finding helpful resources. The coach is trained in providing appropriate suggestions as well as offering a nonjudgmental listening ear.

What is Life Coaching?

The field of Life Coaching continues to rise in popularity. Life Coaches are now more available and easier to find than ever before. More people are seeking the assistance of a life coach to help them manage the complex demands of modern life.

Life Coaching is not to be confused with counseling.
While they are both vital services, they have distinctly different purposes. Counseling delves deeply into the psyche of an individual, explores their past and may focus on the processing of memories and emotions. The viewpoint of coaching focuses primarily on the present moment as well as setting tangible goals for the future. Coaching looks at overcoming the obstacles to reaching those goals with an emphasis on the innate strengths that a person brings to the table.

A Life Coach is someone who helps you remember the bigger picture and move toward balance and workability in all areas of life. They help you stay accountable to your goals while offering objective advice and unconditional support.

Can Life Coaching help the Caregiver?

As a caregiver, life is fraught with an avalanche of tasks, pressures and emotions. All told, this can result in feelings of frustration at best and hopelessness at worst. There are numerous resources available to you, yet you may not know how to locate the specific resources to meet your requirements.
You may also be floundering due to lack of support for your personal needs. A coach can assist in both of these areas.

If you are new to caregiving you may be especially unacquainted with the plethora of resources available to you. If you are aware of them then you may not know where to begin. A Life Coach who is familiar with the many aspects of caregiving can expertly guide you in the right direction. They may point you toward a web site, an organization, a book or a service that can aid you.

The personal needs of the caregiver vary from individual to individual. These range from emotional, physical, and spiritual needs to the practical day to day tasks. A Life Coach can help you identify where you are struggling and teach you how to set concrete goals and objectives that address those challenges. A Life Coach also reminds you of the importance of having your own desires outside of the caregiving role. They encourage you to rediscover old dreams and bring them into reality. They offer unwavering support, keep one eye on your goals and applaud all of your efforts. When an issue falls outside of the scope of coaching they know how to make an appropriate referral.

A Typical Coaching Session

Coaching sessions typically take place over the phone. Phone calls may last between 30 and 60 minutes. The general format of the call is decided upon by you and your coach. It may include a review of the last phone call, an update on current challenges and barriers, restating and revising goals, and suggestions for further “homework.” Yet, nothing is ever forced; all of coaching is an agreement between coach and client.
Speaking with a Life Coach on a regular basis may be a valuable asset for the overwhelmed caregiver. While it doesn’t always provide answers, it can help you ease the isolation, stress and confusion. It provides the support that places you in a better position for handling life’s issues and crises. It also carves out a time where you know that someone is there purely to listen to you and offer support and advice. For just that one hour a week, you are able to reflect, be yourself and allow yourself to receive.