|
Caregivers - Steps to Take Care of Yourself
1. Choose to take charge of your life, and don't let your loved
- one's illness or disability always take center
stage.
- 2. Remember to be good to yourself. Love, honor
and value
- yourself. You're doing a very hard job and you
deserve some
- quality time, just for you.
- 3. Watch out for signs of depression, and don't
delay in getting
- professional help when you need it.
- 4. When people offer to help, accept the offer
and suggest specific
- things that they can do.
- 5. Educate yourself about your loved one's
condition. Information
- is empowering.
- 6. There's a difference between caring and
doing. Be open to
- technologies and ideas that promote your loved
one's independence.
- 7. Trust your instincts. Most of the time
they'll lead you in the
- right direction.
- 8. Grieve for your losses, and then allow
yourself to dream new
- dreams.
- 9. Stand up for your rights as a caregiver and
a citizen.
- 10. Seek support from other caregivers. There
is great strength in knowing
- you are not alone.
-
- (Source: National Family Caregivers
Association)
|