Caring for Yourself When You’re a Caregiver Strategies for Taking Care of Your Needs While Caring for a Loved One
If you are a caregiver for a chronically ill, disabled or elderly family member, you are not alone – nearly a third of the U.S. population provides such care during any given year, spending an average of 20 hours a week on caregiving, according to the Caregiver Action Network. As a caregiver, you know first-hand the challenges of finding balance in your life while caring for someone else. Juggling your own personal and family obligations as well as those of the person whom you’re caring for can be difficult and sometimes feel impossible. As a result, it’s not uncommon to neglect your own needs and become depressed, frustrated, exhausted and physically ill. Sadly, caregiver burnout also can result in resentment of and 48
anger towards the person you’re caring for and – in the worst-case scenario – unintentional abuse or neglect of that elderly or disabled loved one. By making self-care a priority, you are not only helping yourself as an individual but also as a family member and caregiver. Here are some strategies for taking care of yourself in the midst of caregiving: Focus on Healthy Habits • Do what you can to get enough rest and quality sleep, including taking naps when you can. • Incorporate exercise into your regular routine, even if it’s just in short stints. • Avoid junk food and fast food and eat nutritious meals and snacks. Aging Resources 2021–2022
