Honoring Caregivers for National Caregiver Month
November is National Caregiver Month, and it is the perfect time to honor those who make such a big difference in the lives of others. Caregivers perform a very difficult job and it is important that they do not neglect themselves in the process. Caregiver stress and burnout is a big challenge and can make it impossible to care for someone effectively. It is imperative that caregivers maintain their own well being. Your general well-being affects how you view life and your ability to cope with the daily challenges of caregiving. Taking care of yourself is important and involves:
• eating properly
• exercising daily, even if it is just a short ten minute walk
• getting adequate rest
• taking time to do something that is just for yourself each day
• asking for help when it is needed
• remembering to love, honor, and value yourself
These things may sound simple enough but in today’s hectic world it can be difficult and seem unrealistic to follow through on these. Many caregivers report that they no longer have time for themselves and feel stressed trying to meet their own needs. Many feel that everything they do is in an effort to meet the needs of others. This can lead to severe depression and a host of other problems. It is important that caregivers take care of themselves and have time to themselves that is about themselves and doing something they enjoy. At times there may simply not be enough hours in the day to complete all the tasks at hand. This is why it is so important to ask for help when needed. A caregiver may rely on an informal support network of friends and relatives to help out when needed. If this support is not available there are many community resources that provide Respite Care, such as in home services, adult day services, residential care, along with many other sources of support and assistance. The important thing is realizing that help is available and asking for it when needed. Everyone needs a helping hand at times, often we just need to be reminded that it is there.
It is true that those who care for other people can do a better job of caregiving if time and attention also are given to their own personal needs. In other words, if we can’t take care of ourselves how can we take care of someone else? However, it is important to recognize that despite an individual’s situation their own needs must be a top priority in their life regardless of the type of demands they have upon them. This is something we all deserve, but the fact is that sometimes it is a challenge to make the time to do so. Meeting your own needs will satisfy you and give you additional strength and vigor to bring to all aspects of your life, including the challenges related to caregiving. Caregiving can be a joyous and wonderful venture, but in order to reap the benefits it is necessary to achieve balance. For all of you caregivers out there, thank you for your hard work and dedication, and be sure to reward yourself this month and throughout the year.