Self-Care for Family Caregivers
Your mom is the one with Alzheimer’s, but it’s your health that’s suffering.
That’s something we hear a lot. That’s because, while caregiving is extremely rewarding, it can also be incredibly difficult, and many family caregivers pay a high emotional and physical price for what they do.
“It’s National Family Caregiver Month – a great time for us to honor the millions of outstanding family caregivers across the country and raise awareness about caregiving issues,” said Sierra Goetz, HCAN co-founder and operations manager. “It’s also a good time to remind family caregivers to take care of themselves. I know it’s often hard to see past the daily care tasks at hand, but it’s so important for caregivers to make their own health and well-being a priority.”
If you’re caring for an aging loved one, the Family Caregiver Alliance urges you to keep the following simple steps and strategies in mind to ensure you have the time and resources to take care of your loved one – and yourself.
Learn about the disease your loved one has. Find out about what is happening now and what will happen in the future with this disease. The more you know, the more you will be able to plan.
Take advantage of community resources. There are several places you can turn to for help, including your local Area Agency on Aging, Meals on Wheels, adult day cares and support groups.
Take a break from caregiving. Make a date to go to the movies, take a walk or meet a friend for lunch. Everyone needs to get out of the house once in awhile and do something not related to caregiving.
Get support. Attend a support group or call a friend when you need to let off steam and complain. If you’re depressed, talk to your doctor or seek counseling.
Relax. Read a book, meditate, pray, garden, knit, get a massage, take a long bath – it doesn’t matter what you do… just do it.
Take care of your health. Go to the doctor, get routine exams and flu shots, get enough sleep, and eat your fruits and vegetables.
Change “guilt” to “regret.” Guilt follows when you know you’ve done something wrong. Regret occurs when you are in a challenging situation and you have to make difficult decisions – difficult, but not wrong.
Forgive yourself—often. You cannot be a perfect caregiver, all day, every day. It’s important to remember that.
Laugh. Find ways to keep your sense of humor on a daily basis. Watch comedies, practice laughter yoga, share jokes with friends.
Ask for and accept help when offered. No one can do this alone.
“Taking an occasional break from caregiving duties can help family caregivers rediscover the joy of caring for an aging loved one,” Goetz said. “At HCAN, we help families find the perfect balance between caring for their family member and taking good care of themselves.”
If you or someone you love is in need of respite care, we can help. Whether it’s for just a few hours a week or around the clock, we will work with you to develop a customized care plan that meets your needs. For more information, visit hcanthrive.com.