As a caregiver, you play a very special role – helping your loved one navigate life with joy, dignity and as much comfort as possible.
You’ve probably found that caring for another person is rewarding. But, at certain times, you might need to take a break to care for your own health and well-being too. Maybe you have an illness, upcoming surgery or other family responsibilities. Or, maybe you just need some “me time.”
Here are some ideas to consider when your loved one needs care – and so do you.
Recognize that caregivers need care too
Ever feel wiped out after a day of caregiving? That fatigue is very common and very real.
“Over time, caregiving can take a toll on your health and well-being – especially if you neglect yourself,” explains says Vickie Armstrong, DNP, GNP-BC, nurse practitioner at Riverside Health System. “Researchers have found that stress, physical work and emotional demands put caregivers at risk for significant health problems – including high cholesterol, high blood pressure, obesity, depression and other chronic illnesses.”
According to the Family Caregiver Alliance, a caregiver’s health issues are often compounded by the effects of:
- Sleep deprivation
- Poor eating habits
- Failure to exercise
- Failure to rest when ill
- Postponement of medical appointments
Make self-care a priority
You may feel too busy or worried about your loved one to even think about your own health. But, in order to provide good care, you need to stay healthy too. Here are a few ideas to help you manage stress and stay well:
- Eat nutritious foods. And make your sleep a priority.
- Don’t skip your own doctor appointments.
- Remember to take your medicines, if you have them.
- Take a walk or exercise several times a week, even if only for 10 minutes at a time.
- Practice meditation, prayer, yoga or Tai Chi.
- Nurture yourself – read a book, take a warm bath, listen to music.
- Spend time with friends.
- Join a support group – in person or online.
- Seek counseling when you need it – from a counselor, friend or pastor.
- Set goals and lay out a plan to accomplish them. (Working toward goals gives you a sense of control over your life.)
Reassess your loved one’s care needs periodically. And yours too.
Every few months, take an honest look at the care needs of your loved one. Get input from doctors and other family members. Has anything changed? Do you need additional services? Do you need to revise the caregiver schedule? Can you cut back on caregiving duties? Or, do you need more help? Often, a new mix of care services will improve your loved one’s well-being, save time and help you function more efficiently.
Consider taking a break from caregiving. Ask for help.
Sure, you want to be there for your loved one. Occasionally, you may need to take a brief respite or a longer hiatus – to relieve stress or take care of personal needs and other responsibilities in your life.
“Being a caregiver is demanding, physically and emotionally, especially if you’re caring for someone who has dementia or needs around-the-clock care,” says Armstrong. “It’s important to ask for help before your caregiving duties overwhelm you.”
Consider these options to assist your loved one and give yourself a well-deserved break:
- Ask friends or neighbors for help with specific tasks – cooking meals, running errands or sitting with your loved one while you go to a medical appointment.
- Consider an adult daycare center where your loved one can go for a few hours for meals, recreation and supervised care.
- Hire a respite care service that sends trained helpers to the home to assist with bathing, meal prep or light cleaning.
- Hire a home health service that provides nursing care.
- Arrange for a bus or transportation service that will drive older adults to shopping centers or to medical appointments.
Many communities have special social service programs that offer caregiving assistance – some at low-cost rates. To find out what caregiving services are available in your area, visit Eldercare or contact the Riverside senior care navigation team.
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