| Caregiving truly takes a special type of person. | | | | literally save your sanity when you are a long |
| Any caregiver can tell you they have battled | | | | term caregiver. And remember, this is time for |
| society at one point or another, but they battle | | | | you personally. This is not time to spend running |
| themselves almost daily. Many decisions they face | | | | errands, paying bills or catching up on laundry or |
| are tough calls and almost always second | | | | cleaning. It is time to spend pampering yourself, |
| guessed. It is important for other [and extended] | | | | whether by soaking in a tub, reading a good book, |
| family members to offer advice and solutions, but | | | | or simply relaxing in a chair while sipping a good |
| never lay blame to the decisions of the caregiver. | | | | cup of coffee [or tea] and enjoying some idle |
| The person who is willing to take on the role of | | | | time. If it is at all possible, a primary caregiver |
| primary caregiver, does so out of pure love. It is | | | | should strive for at least one weekend per month |
| one of the most difficult roles to undertake. It is a | | | | away from all caregiving responsibilities. A spa day |
| life changing decision that will become the main | | | | or simply treating yourself to a massage can |
| focus of this special person. The caregiver may | | | | restore your zest and offer your mind and body |
| find themselves living a solitary life, with little social | | | | a wonderful experience. So treat yourself special, |
| interaction. There are no financial rewards, but | | | | because you are! |
| most often a financial hardship placed on the | | | | Writing can be very therapeutic and offer a |
| caregiver. | | | | means of future solutions, coping skills and a |
| With that said, I would like to share some | | | | healthy way to vent your stress or frustrations. |
| thoughts and ideas I have used. Not only to | | | | It will also give great insight into patterns |
| survive the day to day tasks, but to give you the | | | | developed by yourself or the patient. Good habits |
| strength to endure over the long haul. | | | | can be enhanced and the negative corrected into |
| Networking with others in similar positions or | | | | a positive habit. |
| situations will not only give you comfort, but it will | | | | A hobby is a must. Depending on your personality, |
| help in sharing experiences and ideas that could | | | | you might take up crafting or painting, others |
| lead to new solutions for your particular situation. | | | | might enjoy cooking and experiment with new |
| It could also afford the means of 'swapping' sitting | | | | recipes. Anything you truly take pleasure in or |
| services or other resources that otherwise would | | | | relaxes your mind and body can be your hobby. |
| not be available to you. Even networking long | | | | The important thing is that you are doing this for |
| distance is valuable on several levels. From | | | | the pure pleasure. |
| vacationing to learning the differences of | | | | Learn to ask for help. Often caregivers will not |
| programs and resources available; to learning | | | | ask, regardless of how badly they need |
| whether climatic or social differences play any | | | | assistance. They know how demanding their |
| major role, for instance with epilepsy patients | | | | position and will experience guilt at just the |
| --could this affect the amount of seizure activity? | | | | thought of asking others to assist. This is a |
| Or a patient who suffers arthritis might not | | | | misconception on the part of the caregiver. More |
| experience as much joint pain. | | | | often than not, others are more than willing to |
| "Me Time" or time for yourself is a must if you | | | | help. So recruit volunteers to help with household |
| wish to maintain good mental health. Scheduling as | | | | cleaning, laundry, and the myriad of other tasks |
| little as fifteen minutes a day can work wonders, | | | | involved in day to day activity. One person might |
| but if possible, you should also schedule at least a | | | | run your weekly errands, while another does |
| half day off each week. Just having a four hour | | | | grocery shopping. |
| period to do those little things for yourself can | | | | |