You have to take care of yourself before you can take care of others
Most of us are taking care of a loved one or know someone who is a caregiver. It is reported that there are more than 22 million caregivers, people who are taking care of an elderly, chronically ill or disabled loved one, in the United States. Caring for someone else can take its toll physically, emotionally and financially. Most caregivers need to be reminded that they must take good care of themselves; before they can effectively take care of others.
Here are some tips for caregivers from Becky Russell, social worker at Habersham Medical Center:
- Keep communication open with family and friends. Share your concerns and needs. And, don’t be afraid to ask for help and receive it.
- Find out if there is a support group in your area or online.
- Take periodic breaks to get some rest or catch up on some “you” time.
- Take time to just listen to your loved one. You don’t always have to be doing something for them. Just relax and spend quality time talking and listening.
- Make sure you eat healthy, get regular exercise and get proper amounts of sleep. Again, the healthier you are the more active you can be in taking care of the physical needs of your loved one. Even just a brief walk daily will be beneficial to your overall physical and mental health.
- Don’t forget to make your annual wellness appointments and physicals and talk to your doctor about how you are feeling.
Being a caregiver can be demanding and stressful, but it can also be very rewarding. It gives you quality one-on-one time with your loved one and can give you a sense of purpose. But, always keep in mind that you should never feel guilty for taking care of you, first.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
A graduate of Brenau University with a bachelor’s degree in mass communications and Piedmont College with a master’s degree in public administration, April James has served as the director of business development and volunteer services at Habersham Medical Center since 2001. She also has more than 15 years of experience in broadcasting and is an adjunct professor at Emmanuel College. She and her husband, Brian, have three children and reside in Franklin Springs, Georgia.
