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Taking Care of Yourself

Great caregivers take care of themselves too

“The care you give to yourself is the care you give to your loved one," said a caregiver. Absolutely the easiest thing for someone to say and the hardest thing to accept is the advice to take care of yourself as a caregiver. It is often hard to see beyond the care tasks that await you each morning.

What is shown by study after study is that caregiving compromises health. About 60 percent of caregivers show signs of clinical depression. Caregivers take more prescription medications, including those for anxiety and depression, than others in their age group. Reluctance in asking for and accepting help is a major barrier to getting necessary respite and support. Who has time to think about breaks when there is a diaper that needs to be changed? Seventy-five percent of caregivers in America are women, some taking care of spouses/partners, some adult children taking care of parents, some parents taking care of adult children. What does taking care of yourself mean, why is it so hard to do, and how do you do it?

It’s important to remember that being a caregiver does not mean giving up care for yourself. In fact, it is more important now to pay special attention to your needs, both physically and mentally. If you pay attention to your needs, you and the one you care for will benefit.

Here are some helpful links and information to educate and inform you about taking care of yourself:

• Compassion fatigue : Learn about compassion fatigue and how to alleviate it.
• Stress Self-Assessment: Take this short test to find out if you’re under stress and how to handle it.
• Caregiver Support Groups : Share your stories and connect with other caregivers.
• Respite Care: Take a short break to relieve stress, restore energy and promote balance in your life.
• Education: Make time for walks, talks and social outings with friends.
• Share Your Experience: Pay attention to your own health needs and appointments and maintain a healthy diet

Check out this article from the Caregiver Family Alliance: Taking Care of YOU: Self-Care for Family Caregivers