I Realize Caring For Myself is Job One

June 22, 2017

3:25 PM

Caring for Myself - Fearless Caregiver Graphic

Comments (5)

Remembering I Need Care Too

I am a caregiver to my disabled husband (accident in the Marines and Parkinson's patient), while working full time to support the household. I had forgotten to take care of my own health and had a (thankfully) very minor stroke back in May. Luckily, it was so minor and primarily served as a wake up call to me that I need to care for myself too. So, I'm working out every other day and on a diet to lose the excess weight I've packed on. Taking this time to focus on myself at the gym and even meal preparation has made me feel 100% better than pre-stroke and I've become a better caregiver to my husband. It's so easy to forget to care for ourselves, but if we don't no one will.

Aniela Meinhaldt more than 7 years ago

Caregiver loved ones temam

I DO NOT FEEL part of the program except when one on one with me. Otherwise the nursing home never communicates unless ER. If I go to ask a question, all I get is "its just part of the disease, which IS NOT what I want< so i document things I feel the care team needs to know. I only know he is declining; i still stand up for him and I am still HIS VOICE . He will never understand why he can't go home

Kathy more than 7 years ago

mistakes

I love to say when someone points out a mistake/error I made.

"I made a mistake and I love myself."

Chrisitne Shekoski more than 7 years ago

I Don't Have to Explain Myself

This is my 20th year as a family caregiver. I'm also a freelance health/wellness writer. Over the years, many friends have told me I had to stop writing in order to be a caregiver. Terrible advice! If I stopped writing I would lose myself.
Writing was, and continues to be, a major part of my identity. At first, I tried to explain that writing was self-care for me. Well-meaning as they were, my friends didn't get it. So I stopped trying to explain myself. Instead, I kept on writing, and switched the focus of my work to caregiving. Because I always learn something, writing to help other caregivers also helps me. I wrote a series of books for family caregivers, and have a book in production now. Yes, it's about caregiving, an experience that has changed my life, and made me a better person. The people who understand caregiving best are other caregivers. Trying to explain what we do is often a waste of time and drains our energy. We can thank people for their comments, apply or ignore their advice, and keep on caregiving. No explanations necessary!

Home and business more than 7 years ago

24/7 Caregiver Dilemma

Seven years after Alzheimer's diagnosis my wife is still at home with limited memory and cognitive abilities. Together over six decades; she has severe separation anxiety and is anti social. Family members refuse to take her for a week or two so I can accomplish things more easily. She would not tolerate care at any facility, nor anyone coming to our house. It's a major rut and becoming intolerable. I have been to caregiver support groups, read books, gone on caregiver blogs, but find few workable solutions. Out of ideas.

Chris 57 days ago