For more suggestions on how to take care of yourself read Jacqueline Marcell’s blog <a href=http://www.healthcentral.com/alzheimers/caregiver-2584-143.html target=”blank”> Rest and Relaxation for Caregivers</a>.
Asking for Help
Today, more resources have become available for those taking on caregiving roles. However, according to the Family Caregiver Self-Awareness and Empowerment Project, family caregivers who do not self-identify are reluctant to seek assistance even when resources, agencies and support groups are right around the corner.
The study found:
… identifying oneself with the term “caregiver” was the most significant variable in determining to what extent a respondent took self-help actions, such as reading about caregiving, asking for help with caregiving, talking to a professional about one’s own health, arranging for services, discussing caregiving with a supervisor, seeking information, or joining a support group or caregiver organization.
How do I ask for help?
1. Be specific. Many people are willing to help, but aren’t sure what to do. Specifically naming a particular task will help others help you. Also, you may seem to have the situation so under control that others hesitate to interfere or to show their own incompetence in comparison to your skill. This may cause others not to offer to help, which can lead to feelings of isolation. Sometimes, you will just need to empower yourself by clearly communicating your needs to others.
2. Let go. You may be afraid that another person will not do as good a job for your loved one as you do or you might worry that your loved one will feel insulted if you need help with caring for him or her. It is possible that if you ask other family members to help out they might say no or they may not do the job as well as you would. On the other hand, you just might be affording another person with the opportunity to feel useful.
For more information about asking for help read Susanne Mintz’s blog <a href=” http://www.healthcentral.com/caregiver/coping-with-caregiving-3325-143.html” target=”_blank”>Defining the Help You Need</a>.
