Caregiver Support: 8 Tips For Keeping The Caregiver Healthy
Caregiving is 24/7, thankless job that more often than not you just seem to fall into. Your spouse, mom or dad suddenly gets ill or has a medical issue, and you find yourself in a caregiving role. You do need caregiver support in order to make it through this challenging time. You can’t do it all on your own – to do so is not a healthy alternative for you.
In order to support you as a caregiver, here are 8 tips for keeping the caregiver healthy.
1. Read or take seminars concerning your family member’s illness. Sometimes the stress level goes down when you know more about the illness, and discover you aren’t the only one facing similar situations. Learn the stages, symptoms and complications, and be able to distinguish when your loved one acts out because of the illness. 
2. Talk to other family members. Sons, daughters, brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles – reach out to the family members in your community. While they don’t have to provide regular care for your loved one, it is helpful for them to know and understand the situation, and to have them available during the month as things arise.
3. Join a support group. It doesn’t have to take time away from your busy day – many support groups exist online. Check out Eons – a place for baby boomers to network and communicate. They have many groups related to caregiving, including two that I’m in: Caregivers and Caregivers for elderly parents. http://www.eons.com/
4. Know your limits. Don’t take on jobs that will add more stress to your life, or that you’ll simply have a hard time accomplishing. Learn to say no, and ask for help when appropriate.
5. Accept your feelings. We all have good days and bad. When you have a bad day, or have difficult emotions surface, don’t ignore them or put yourself down for having them. Accept that its okay as a caregiver to experience all types of emotions. Take one day at a time.
6. Eat right. It’s easy to skip meals as your rushing from doctors’ appointments to picking up prescriptions. Take time out of your day for a healthy meal. Consider making several healthy meals all in one day, and freezing them in one or two serving sizes. Then pull them out for a quick meal anytime.
7. Watch your finances. It’s easy to let caregiving duties consume you until you have very few choices. If you still need to work, or need some type of financial compensation while caregiving, learn your options. Talk with family members, or seek out help within the community. Others have been in your shoes, and can offer you options.
8. Ask for help. Talking with family members and support groups is a step in the right direction. But if those around you don’t offer to help, don’t be afraid of asking. Be specific about the type of help you need – you’re more apt to get help if you ask for it directly. Instead of saying, “it would be great if you stopped by this week”, say “I would love for you to stop by Saturday to help rake the leaves.” Being specific will get you action.
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