Self-care is an essential thing for every caregiver. While you may be aware of this fact, you still need to work on it. Below we have listed five things you must do in order to preserve your health and well-being.
Hold family meetings
Any person who is going to take a more significant role in caregiving needs to call a family meeting. Together with the rest of the family, and with the person who will receive the care, they need to share responsibilities between them. Most of the family members probably won’t be able to provide the care or to give direct assistence to the caregiver. But, there will be moments when they will be useful, so it is essential to let them know that you are counting on them.
Find a support group
Many caregivers have a small family, or the caregiver is a spouse, and they don’t have children. In these situations, it is imperative to find a support group. If the family is not there, and you are not a part of any church, finding a support group can be a difference between a good life and a life of difficulties.
Source: www.crisisprevention.com
Prioritize healthy living
Significant parts of self-care are contained in healthy eating, working out, and sleeping well. If you don’t have time for this, you can ask friends or family members to step in for you, while you take some time for yourself. If you don’t have anyone to help, hiring a home aide can be a solution.
Take regular breaks
Taking a break from caregiving is a vital point in self-care. Regular outings with friends or alone will improve your life. Going for a coffee or to see a movie can help you both mentally and emotionally.
Use available resources for improving self-care
Being a caregiver is not something you learn. Many family caregivers get thrown in the mess of caregiving. That’s why it’s important to look for all available resources. There are many things that you can learn on your own, but getting help from the local hospital or community can aid you a lot.
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