ResCare HomeCare news — 03/01/2008
When caring for a loved one, remember to take care of yourself.
If you've taken on the caregiver role for a senior or someone with a chronic illness or disability, chances are you have experienced more than your share of fatigue, frustration, loneliness, and stress. Few of us expect to add caregiving to an already challenging list of family and professional responsibilities. But if the task falls on you and the strain of caregiving threatens to throw your hectic life off balance, take a tip or two from those who have walked in your shoes.
Get all the help you can. Seek or accept help from family members, friends, neighbors, volunteers from your community or church group, paid caregivers, or a geriatric care manager. Help may take the form of care or companionship for your loved one, assistance with shopping or homemaking, or help negotiating a maze of caregiving options.
Make time for yourself. Schedule respite times when you can attend to your needs and pursue your interests. Exercise, shop, read, or enjoy yourself with friends and other family members - engaging in whatever activities you find most fulfilling and relaxing.
Safeguard your physical and mental health. Exhaustion can compromise your body's immune system and lead to illness, and between 40 and 70 percent of caregivers experience symptoms of depression. Take care to eat well, get enough sleep, see your doctor regularly, and avoid burnout.
Consider connecting with other caregivers. Communicating with people who share your challenges can be a relief. Contact your local senior center or hospital to learn about caregiver support groups in your area, or link up with fellow caregivers via the Web.
As with other priorities in your life, the responsibility for caring for yourself - for better or worse - comes down to you. But even small steps toward positive change can reap significant benefits for you and your loved ones.
As always, if we at ResCare HomeCare can assist you by providing respite care, nursing, care management or other home care services, or by referring you to other professionals in your community who can address your needs, we would be honored to be of service. Click here to find a ResCare HomeCare location near you.
Caring for yourself during this very demanding time in your life is especially challenging. But the effort has never been more worthwhile.
The people of ResCare HomeCare
