We all have the same 24 hours in a day, which can feel unfair for someone carrying the weight of another. As a family caregiver, you give a lot of your time to the loved one in your care. But time is a finite and precious resource. In this article, we’ll offer tips to help you effectively manage your time as a family caregiver. Let’s dive in.

5 Tips: Time Management for Caregivers

There are a lot of ways to get more out of each minute in a day. And as a family caregiver, you’re juggling enough – it’s worth learning how to get the most out of your time. Here are some of our best tips for time management.

Tip 1: Schedule “You-Time” First

“You-time” is time dedicated to your well-being. It’s the easiest thing to let fall off the to-do list because it often feels like a luxury, but trust us – it’s anything but. Without taking time for yourself, you risk consequences like burnout, anxiety, or depression. It’s not optional, it’s necessary.

But we know from experience – if you don’t schedule it first (and maneuver everything else around it), you’re much more likely to run out of time for it than let the self-care you-time happen. 

Tip 2: Write Everything Down

One thing too many of us do – we over-rely on our memory, and under rely on the tools designed to help us. We make mental notes instead of physical notes.

But how many times have you walked into a grocery store with a mental list, only to blank on one or two of the most important items as you scan the shelves? Or make a mental note of an appointment or phone call, just to miss it? Do yourself a favor and take the pressure off your mind. Start writing everything down somewhere you’ll remember to look instead. This can be on paper, a whiteboard, or on your phone.

Tip 3: Prioritize

Along the same token, you can take “writing it down” to the next level with prioritization. Make lists and prioritize your tasks to make it easier to get the most important things done. 

Without prioritization, it’s just as easy to let important or urgent tasks fall by the wayside as it is to let simple or low-priority tasks go. If you’re not familiar with how to organize your list this way, we recommend an Eisenhower Matrix – a tool there to help you find the things that matter the most.

Tip 4: The 5-Minute or Touch It Rule

Another tool to help you get things done more easily – two simple rules: the 5-minute rule, and the touch-it rule.

• The 5-Minute Rule: If a task will take five minutes or less to complete, do it as soon as you think of it. Don’t add “folding the laundry” to a to-do list, if actually doing it will take less than 5 minutes. 

• The “Touch-It” Rule: If you take the moment to touch it, put it all the way away. For example, don’t put dishes in the sink if you can put them in the dishwasher. Or don’t create a pile of receipts to handle later, if you can scan it and get rid of it right away. You’ll avoid creating a new task for yourself – one you’ll want to avoid just as badly at that later time.

These rules will help you save a lot of time, one minute at a time.

Tip 5: Automate Where Possible

There are a lot of ways to automate tasks that aren’t necessarily technology related (though there are a lot of technologies that can help with this process as well).

One of the most effective ways to automate your tasks is to create a routine. Sequence together as many tasks as possible and follow the sequence day in and day out. The more you practice it and habitualize it, the less time and thought it will take to get through. This will clear both mental space and time on your calendar for more important tasks.

Closing Thoughts: Effective Time Management for Caregivers

Time management is one of the best ways to get the most out of each of your days. You have a lot of commitments and pressures that compete for your time. We hope some of these tips and techniques help you as you continue through this journey.

We here at the Caregiver Resource Center of Orange County are here to provide assistance and guidance to help you do that. Check out our library of resources to help you navigate this experience. Together, we can navigate the healthcare landscape and help you provide the best possible care for your loved one(s).

Further Reading: Fitting in Fitness: Prioritizing Wellness as a Family Caregiver

From the emotional toll of witnessing a loved one's struggle up close to the physical and mental strain of continuous care, family caregivers navigate a complicated situation each day. As such, it can be hard to prioritize the caregiver’s own health. It’s easy for it to feel secondary to their loved one’s more pressing needs. 

In this article, we’ll look at why focusing on your health as a caregiver matters, how you and the loved one(s) in your care can benefit from prioritizing exercise each day, and how to incorporate it into your routine. Click here to read all about it.