Care for yourself by maintaining your own emotional and physical health.
Assess how much you realistically can take on in terms of both time and emotional limits.
Reflect on your changing role, how it affects your schedule, personality and ability to see to your own needs.
Examine ways to respectfully say no when necessary. It’s okay to say things such as “I can help on Tuesdays and Thursdays but not on Wednesdays and Fridays.”
Give yourself caregiver breaks. Go for a walk before a day of caregiving, luxuriate in a long bath, take yourself to lunch or go with a friend.
Investigate local resources that can help you going forward, including at-home care, day programs, financial aid and housing options.
Verify whether the options your loved one desires are possible, considering both anticipated and current health needs and financial resources.
Exercise, especially if it’s something you used to do. If you can’t find time to go to a gym, take a walk, buy an exercise bike or treadmill to use at your home or at your care recipient’s home, or ask your loved one to go on a walk with you.
Retreat and regroup when you’ve lost patience or become resentful. When you say things you regret, step back and ask yourself if it is time to ask for help from other relatives, friends, community services or professionals.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Copyright ©2007 Caring Today, LLC. As originally appeared on www.caringtoday.com and/or in Caring Today magazine. Used with permission. All rights reserved.
