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5 Ways To Stop Minimizing Yourself as a Caregiver
 No matter how much we love someone and how much we want to do a great job as a caregiver, it can often be a complex, frustrating and emotionally draining task. We must be very careful not to minimize ourselves in the process. To be a good caregiver, you must remember to recognize your own needs or you will soon become burnt out and unable to cope with the duties of caregiving.
Here are 5 keys to help you maximize your role.
1. Control what you CAN control.
Don't skip meals. Eat breakfast - you can find 5 minutes to grab something, even if you must eat it while on the run. Choose to eat healthy foods that are high in nutrition, and low in fats and sugars. Stay hydrated - carry bottles of water in your car for use when you're sitting in waiting rooms.
Get as much sleep as you can.
Find some time for exercise - a walk, an exercise tape or a 1/2 an hour on the Wii system, (if you can afford to purchase one) - my father used to find it hilarious to watch me do the hula hooping segmant of the Wii Fit program.
Consider meditation. There are 5, 10, and 15 minute meditations that can be worked into your day at some point. I was never a fan of meditation until I became a caregiver. **We're going to be offering monthly guided meditation downloads to our Team C.A.R.E. members when we launch our new membership program.
2. Avoid isolation.
As the person we are caring for becomes less able to "be out in public" due to anything from incontinence issues, mobility or behaviors stemming from Alzheimer's Disease, we tend to start declining invitations, foregoing church services, delaying errands, etc.
We may also stop inviting friends in because the house may not always be clean, your loved one may be unpredictable or sleeping or it may just seem like one more thing to do.
These actions contribute to feelings of isolation so it's important for us to rebel against them. It may mean extra work but in the long run, it means a more healthy state-of-mind for the care giver. (Remember that it was also difficult to bring children out in public and the house was RARELY ever completely tidy.)
(On a side note, the Alzheimer's Association has little business card-sized cards that are available to carry with you. They say something like "My companion suffers from Alzheimer's Disease. Please excuse any untoward actions.")
3. Get respite care.
I can't tell you how important this is. Even if you can only afford 4 hours per week, make sure that you sign up for it and USE it. You MUST get away from the house for awhile and do something just for you (and I'm not talking grocery shopping or hair cuts). The Area Agency on Aging has a scholarship program for respite care - check into that. Your local Alzheimer's Association also has some vauchers for respite care (even some that are available for overnight use). Some local Alzheimer Associations also have a "Senior Buddy Program" where an elder in good health will come sit with your loved one for several hours once a week at no charge. The Senior Center in your neighborhood may also know of other no-cost respite provisions. Day Care centers are also a viable option and charge about $7.00 - $10.00 per hour.
4. Recognize your limits.
There is no shame in not being able to be a super-hero. If there is something that you don't feel comfortable doing (such as bathing a loved one), then don't do it. If you feel that you are at the breaking point, make other arrangements. As hard as it will be choose a different arrangement for your loved one, we do not want you to become one of the 50% of caregivers who die BEFORE the one for whom they are caring.
5. You deserve to recognize your own needs and to live a good life.
Do not forget this.
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