Don't Forget Yourself

[Guest guest]

A local office of the Home Instead Senior Care agency made a

presentation at a recent Parkinson's Disease support group meeting I

attended. One handout, titled " Don't Forget Yourself, " was focused on

caregivers. Here's part of that handout.

Don't Forget Yourself

Home Instead Senior Care

Excerpted from " Stages of Senior Care: Your Step-by-Step Guide to

Making the Best Decisions "

2009

Being a caregiver is a tremendous responsibility. Not only should you

consider the health and well-being of your loved one, but also of yourself.

Take some time to consider these points:

How Stressed Are You?

As stresses build one upon another, you may also lose your ability to

help your loved one. Ask yourself what you can do to reduce the

stress on yourself.

Get Others to Help

If you are the primary caregiver, make it clear to others that if you

have to do the job all alone, over time you may break down (and

possibly drop responsibility for Mom or Dad altogether). It's not

easy but try to develop a procedure, a couple of key phrases,

perhaps, that you are comfortable with that enable you to ask for help.

Protect Your Body and Mind

Surveys indicate that caregivers are less likely than noncaregivers

to practice preventive self-care, including health care.

Confront Your Emotions

Research indicates that people who take an active role in dealing

with caregiving issues (and solving related problems) are less likely

to feel stressed than those who simply worry or feel helpless.

8 Ways to Help Yourself

Here are some tips for avoiding and managing caregiver stress...

1. Workout -- Exercise and enjoy something you like to do (walking,

dancing, biking, running, swimming, etc.) for a minimum of 20 minutes

at least three times per week.

2. Meditate -- Sit still and breathe deeply with your mind as quiet

as possible whenever things feel like they are moving too quickly or

you are feeling overwhelmed.

3. Ask for help -- According to a national survey by Home Instead

Senior Care of adults who are currently providing care for an aging

loved one, 72 percent do so without any outside help. Reach out to

others for aid.

4. Take a break -- Make arrangements for reliable fill-in help

(family, friends, volunteers, or professional caregivers) and take

single days or even a week's vacation. When you're away, stay away.

Talk about everything but caregiving; read that book you haven't been

able to get to.

5. Eat well -- Eat plenty of fresh fruits, vegetables, proteins,

including nuts, beans and whole grains.

6. Take care of yourself -- Just as you make sure your loved one gets

to the doctor, make sure you get your annual checkup. Being a

caregiver provides many excuses for skipping many chores. Don't skip

your checkups.

7. Indulge -- Treat yourself to a foot massage or manicure; talk a

walk, rent a movie, have a nice dinner out, or take in a concert to

get away from the situation and to reward yourself for the wonderful

care you are providing to your aging relative.

8. Support -- Find a local caregiver support group that will help you

understand that what you are feeling is normal for someone in your position.