Caregivers need care too!

As Caregivers, we tend to focus more on the family member we are caring for, and most times forget ourselves during this time. It is hard to focus on your health and well-being when you are taking care of your loved one; your end goal is to ensure they get healthy and back to living life as normal as possible. We wake up early, make sure they are fed, bathed and dressed; as well as if there are appointments ensuring that they are at all appointments. It is a daunting task to be the one to take care of the personal matters of your loved one, but the question remains, "Who else will do it?"

Being a caretaker brings on a different type of stress that can wear you down and cause major burnout. One should never be ashamed to ask for assistance from other family members, especially those that are in the same state as you. Asking for help is the hardest part of being a caretaker, because you want to be the one to handle everything and do without feeling as if you are a burden to others. In my experience, and what many of us know...a closed mouth never gets fed. Asking for help does not make you weak, but it is what it is...ASKING FOR HELP!

Many times the caretaker takes on so much, that they miss out on caring for themselves. They don't eat, they lose sleep, they are walking around like a zombie. So here are some steps to allow the care taking experience to be done with ease.....

Planning and problem solving are important skills for a caregiver. Being organized on a daily basis and being ready to handle unexpected situations will reduce stress and help you care for your loved one. The following are some tips for preparing yourself for the challenges of care giving:

Planning tips

• Plan your days by assigning priorities and realistic goals for what you want to accomplish. Make a list of what needs to be done, and do the most important things first.

• Identify friends, neighbors, and other relatives who are willing and able to help you. Find out what types of support they are willing to provide, and when they are available.

• Arrange your day to take full advantage of any available help from friends, neighbors, outside agencies, etc. Develop a schedule to be sure your loved one's needs are covered 24 hours a day, if needed.

• Pace yourself. Don't work yourself to the point of exhaustion. This can affect your ability to be an effective caregiver—and could pose a threat to your health.

• Set limits and stick to them. Learn to say "no," even to your loved one.

• Caregivers are important members of the health care team. Develop a partnership with your loved one's health care providers, and get involved in developing any short- and long-term care plans.

Remember, taking care of someone is the hard part, but taking care of self is even harder!