Page 5 - Inspirations Premiere

Caring for yourself is one of the most important-and
one of the most often forgotten-things you can do as a
caregiver. When your needs are taken care of, the
person you care for will benefit, too.

Family caregivers of any age are less likely than
non-caregivers to practice preventive healthcare and
self-care behavior. Regardless of age, sex, and race
and ethnicity, caregivers report problems attending to
their own health and well-being while managing
caregiving responsibilities. They report:

• sleep deprivation

• poor eating habits

• failure to exercise • Sometimes caregivers have misconceptions that
• failure to stay in bed when ill increase their stress and get in the way of good

• postponement of or failure to make medical self-care.
appointments.
Here are some of the most commonly expressed:
Family caregivers are also at increased risk for • I am responsible for my parent's health.
excessive use of alcohol, tobacco and other drugs and
for depression. Caregiving can be an emotional roller • If I don't do it, no one will.
coaster. On the one hand, caring for your family • If I do it right, I will get the love, attention, and
member demonstrates love and commitment and can
respect I deserve.

be a very rewarding personal experience. On the Moving Forward
other hand, exhaustion, worry, inadequate resources Once you've started to identify any personal barriers to
and continuous care demands are enormously good self-care, you can begin to change your behavior,
stressful. Studies show that an estimated 46 percent to moving forward one small step at a time. You are
59 percent of caregivers are clinically depressed. responsible for your own self-care. Focus on the

Taking Responsibility for Your Own Care following self-care practices:

You cannot stop the impact of a chronic or progressive
illness or a debilitating injury on someone for whom • Learn and use stress-reduction techniques.
you care. Nevertheless, there is a great deal that you • Attend to your own healthcare needs.
can do to take responsibility for your personal well- Get proper rest and nutrition.
being and to get your own needs met. The first task in • Exercise regularly.
removing personal barriers to-care is to identify what is • Take time off without feeling guilty.
in your way. For example: • Participate in pleasant, nurturing activities.

•

• Do you feel you have to prove that you are worthy • Seek and accept the support of others.
of the care recipient's affection? • Seek supportive counseling when you need it, or

• Do you think you are being selfish if you put your talk to a trusted counselor or friend.
needs first? • Identify and acknowledge your feelings.

• Is it frightening to think of your own needs? What is • Change the negative ways you view situations.
the fear about? • Set goals.

• Do you have trouble asking for what you need? Do
you feel inadequate if you ask for help? Why?

Inspirations Magazine | Spring Page 4