| I just can’t repeat this too often |
Sometimes I feel like a broken record. As a caregiver, you have to take care of yourself first… <skip> As a caregiver, you have to take care of yourself first… <skip> As a caregiver, you have to take care of yourself first… <skip> …
The problem is likely to arise when you find yourself thrust into the role of caregiver without much time to think or prepare. Life, as the commercial says, comes at you fast. You’re running on adrenaline and love, and then suddenly you crash and you aren’t running on anything at all.
This is why caregiver self-care is so important. Why self-care? Well, because you are the caregiver, not the care recipient. There is, by definition, no one else whose job it is to take care of you. If you don’t do it, it doesn’t get done. Here’s a video called “Care for the Caregiver” that may help to convince you of how important this is:
If your experience as a caregiver is typical, the time will come when you are so frustrated, exhausted and, yes, angry that you will seriously wonder how you can go on. Taking care of yourself effectively along the way is both your sword and your shield here–a sword to fight off negative, self-defeating emotions, and a shield to prevent those feelings from being so strong to begin with.
As a caregiver, you have to take care of yourself first… <skip> As a caregiver, you have to take care of yourself first… <skip> As a caregiver, you have to take care of yourself first… <skip> …
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There are 5 Responses to “Self-Care for Caregivers”
#2 Pete - 06 September, 5:20 PM
Thanks, Kathy.
We are stubborn for sure, but it’s also true that this point is counter-intuitive. At first blush, it seems impossible that thinking of yourself first could ever be the generous and loving thing to do.
Remember that old saw about helping others? “We are here to help others. We don’t know why the others are here.” Nothing in that sentiment suggests taking care of yourself first. Usually through challenging experience, however, caregivers learn that they have to keep themselves in good shape in order to do their best for Mom or Dad or Uncle Joe.
#3 Fundamentals for Caregivers - Caregiving Blog - 23 October, 3:21 PM
[…] made the point many times in this blog that as a caregiver you have to take care of yourself first. Sometimes, however, even caregivers who have accepted that basic truth still don’t know what […]
#4 kristi - 20 June, 7:44 AM
I don’t know if any of you have ever heard of ResponseLINK Emergency Medical Alert, but this is another great way to help with eldercare. I am a caregiver myself and have been really surprised and pleased with the results I have had since I have subscribed for my mother. I also am surprised at how little people know of these services that are affordable and very handy to have. In the end the service helped me help her help me… its a circle but the end result is the same
#5 kayla - 09 October, 10:48 PM
Cheers to that now if i could just find the time. Myson was born with esophageal atresia long months in the hospital no sleep and i never wanna eat. it will get better sooner or later.
#1 KathyNC - 06 September, 4:01 PM
I have heard it compared to a stewardess on a plane telling you to put on your oxygen mask before helping others. It really is true!
We are a stubborn bunch, we caregivers!
Kathy
www.KnowItAlz.com
my caregiver blog