Caregiver Resources

Caregivers provide for the physical, mental and spiritual needs of their loved ones. But who will care for the caregiver?

The answer is you! You need to take care of yourself. If you don't, you may not be able to care for others. Caregivers are at risk for a host of mental and physical illnesses, many of which have roots in stress, exhaustion, and self-neglect – symptoms some medical professionals have begun calling caregiver syndrome.

Here are some ways to care for yourself while you care for your loved one.

• Beware of caregiver burnout.

  Caregivers who are "burned out" may experience fatigue, stress, anxiety and depression. Learn to recognize the signs and get help when you need it.

• Learn how to lose the guilt.

  Forgive yourself for your imperfections. No one is perfect. It might help to list all the things you've done with love, kindness, and commitment. You'll be surprised how very long this list is.

• Accept help when it's offered.

  Some caregivers don't want to "burden" family and friends, even when they offer. They see acceptance as a sign of weakness or a "shirking of their duty." Small amounts of help here and there can make a huge difference in your quality of life, so learn to accept help when it is offered. And remember, many people get a great benefit out of helping others and do not see it as a burden.

• Seek respite care.

  Respite care is an excellent resource to work into your family plan when you or other family members need a break from the daily challenges of caregiving. Respite care is available in every community and can take place in your home. This way your loved one's routine is not disrupted, and you get the time away that is essential to your health and well-being.

• Enjoy yourself at home.

  Incorporate activities that give you pleasure even when you don't really feel like it. Listen to music, work in the garden, engage in a hobby… whatever it is that you enjoy. Also, be sure to interact with others. Call a friend, and when it's difficult to leave, invite friends and family over to visit with you.

• Join a support group.

  Seek out people who are going through the same experiences. If you can't leave the house, many Internet services and groups are available.

• Eat well and stay active.

  Researchers have linked caregiving to a greater risk of high blood pressure, heart attack, lower immune system health, acid reflux and other physical health conditions. The prolonged stress and physical demands of caregiving place you at risk for significant health problems, as well as an earlier death. Take care of your own health. Eat balanced meals, find time to exercise even if it's a short walk every day, and do the best you can to sleep at least seven hours a night.

If you have trouble justifying "caring for the caregiver" when you have so many other demands and strains on your time, remember this: We all know that the first rule of survival on an airplane is to put on your own oxygen mask before you assist anyone else. Only when you first help yourself, can you effectively help others.

Caring for yourself is one of the most important—and one of the most often forgotten—things you can do as a caregiver. When your needs are taken care of, the person you care for will benefit, too. Caregiving is a job, and often a full-time one at that. You owe it to yourself, and your loved one, to take care of you!

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