Well, here
we are a couple of weeks into the New Year. One of the most common topics of
conversation around this time of year is New Year’s resolutions and one of the
most common resolutions made is to take better care of oneself. People can
watch their own self-health by vowing to lose weight, stopping smoking or
eating a better breakfast – before relying on the drive-through and splashing down a cup of coffee on the way into
work. All of these are very worthwhile – and achievable – goals.
Unfortunately,
for a caregiver (and New Year's or no New Year's), self-help frequently falls by the wayside when caring for an
aging senior. Caregivers routinely focus the bulk of their time, energy and
resources (financial and otherwise) on supporting a loved one. As a former
co-caregiver, I speak from experience. Realistically however, one can draw from
the well only so many times before the well runs dry. Despite this, caregivers
keep giving of themselves (and giving again …) out of obligation or a lack of
understanding that they can easily work the equivalent of two full-time jobs.
Considering a caregiver’s own career, life, family and self-health, he/she must
be able to step back from his/her own caregiving duties to tend to other
matters.
Topping
that list of “other matters” should be minding one’s own health. Without
providing proper self-care, caregivers will struggle to keep a healthy balance.
Caregiving can wear one down; a tired and weakened body will not be as strong
to fight off infections or heal from injuries. A tired, sick caregiver is no
good to anyone and could, easily, pose an increased risk to aging seniors as
germs can be passed along.
Self-help
doesn’t have to be complex or complicated. My family found Dad (who, at the
time, had advancing Alzheimer’s disease) an adult day program. Knowing that Dad
was being safely occupied and monitored allowed me some time to think of other
things. Work became easier as my mind was not continually wandering throughout
the day wondering how Dad was doing. If your loved one is more cognitively
aware and independent, take a look at the “Programs and Services” guide for
your local senior’s association as many unique classes are frequently offered
for a reasonable cost. With a larger family, caregiving duties can be shared,
meaning that one sibling doesn’t always need to transport Mom/Dad. If someone
else (even a neighbour or a senior’s driving service) can provide pick-up and
delivery, your own caregiving time will be lessened.
If you
think that taking some time for you is selfish, please think again! Caregivers
need quality time to relax, unwind or attend to other matters. Even taking 15
minutes per day can make a world of difference!
