If you have a disabled or chronically ill family member or aged parent for whom you are caring, you are accomplishing a very precious but demanding duty and you have to make sure you are looking after yourself too.
In the USA, more than 50 million people are caregivers, with 60 percent of them being women. In Canada, one in five Canadians 45 years and over provides care to a senior. Other countries report similar statistics. To make these numbers even more impressive, over 70 percent of all caregivers, men and women, still work outside the home.
If you are one of these caregivers you know that having any time for yourself is next to impossible. By the time you look after you care recipient, your family, and your work, you have only enough energy left to flop into bed exhausted at night. It seems that a visit to the movie theatre or symphony, or a casual dining experience with friends is totally impossible.
I know about caregiving personally because my husband is chronically ill with complications from diabetes. I have had to be resourceful and find work I can do from home so I can monitor his snacks and medications. But I have learned to make sure I have time to engage in meaningful dialogue with friends and professional organizations to ensure my own social and personal needs are met.
If you find yourself the primary caregiver for a loved one, you may be experiencing feelings of despair. You may be overwhelmed with the responsibility and with the feeling that there is never enough time for all the things you could and should be doing. But there is help and you need to be assured that you are not walking your caregiving journey alone.
You can start by calling your local medical professionals and inquiring about respite care. Most large urban centres have a program to support caregivers with home care by professionals who have completed a college degree as personal aids or assistants. You can usually book them for a regular day or time, allowing yourself to continue working as you know your senior will be visited daily for a few hours. Talk to your employer and ask for understanding if you have to miss work to accompany your loved one to a doctor’s appointment.
You can start by calling your local medical professionals and inquiring about respite care. Most large urban centres have a program to support caregivers with home care by professionals who have completed a college degree as personal aids or assistants. You can usually book them for a regular day or time, allowing yourself to continue working as you know your senior will be visited daily for a few hours. Talk to your employer and ask for understanding if you have to miss work to accompany your loved one to a doctor’s appointment.
If you are caring for your care recipient yourself at home, you can still book weekly times to have lunch out, do some shopping or perhaps take a class. And don’t be afraid to recruit friends and family who are aware of your dedication and who are anxious to help out. Many will volunteer to visit with your loved one while you attend a meeting or other event. If your family member is willing, there are often respite beds in nursing homes where he or she can stay for a weekend while you get away for a few days.
If you have ever thought about starting a new craft or hobby, this would be a good time. You will be able to take pleasure in your handcrafted items and you don’t have to leave home to accomplish them. You might sew decorative items for your house, or garments for your grandchildren, or knit mittens and scarves for the needy. Finding some wholesome and absorbing television shows will help too, such as one featuring professional cooks who may give you inspiration in the kitchen and you may become a gourmet cook, spending many happy hours creating marvellous masterpieces. There also are demonstrations of drawing and painting techniques, fitness classes and musical presentations from which to choose as well on TV.
Take long leisurely baths and treat yourself to manicures and pedicures. Meditate and spend time alone with your faith. Write in a journal. If you find you can’t get out to enjoy a social life as much as you would like, invite friends and family for the evening or for a meal. Many more good tips are available at http://www.helpguide.org/elder/caring_for_caregivers.htm.
Make sure you are looking after your physical and emotional health as you care for your loved one. If you don’t, you risk having two patients instead of one! Start today to plan a life for yourself which includes your favourite things.
LesTout Recommends:
