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Self Care Can
Dramatically Improve The
Quality Of Life For You And Your Loved One
By Kate Granigan |
 Marshfield
- So often at the beginning of a New Year we reflect back
and determine what we might adjust or change to improve our
lives and well beings. If you are a caregiver caring for a
loved one, this is an opportunity for you as well. We often
fall into a routine of caring and never stop to look at what
we might do differently to improve this experience for
ourselves and our family member.
As a matter of fact, we often provide care for a loved one
at the risk of our own health and quality of life. A glance
at the statistics on the National Family Caregivers
Association website (www.nfcacares.org) reflects the impact
of the role of care-giving:
More than 50 million people are caring for relatives and
friends each year.
Thirty percent of family caregivers that are caring for
seniors are themselves age 65 and over.
The stress of caring for a person with dementia has been
shown to impact a person’s immune system for up to three
years after the care-giving ends thus increasing their
chance of developing chronic illness themselves.
Family caregivers that experience extreme stress have been
shown to age prematurely. This level of stress can take as
much as 10 years off a family caregiver’s life.
As the statistics show, the role of caregiver can have
serious effects on an individual if they allow the stress to
go unaddressed.
As a New Year begins it is time to take a look at how you as
caregiver are taking care of yourself so you can best care
for those around you.
Here are some tips to implement for the New Year:
Have a daily routine that includes a “moment of
self-care”: This can mean a 10 minute walk, a phone call
with a friend, or a hot bath at the end of a busy day.
Use exercise to reduce stress: Studies show that 30
minutes of exercise three times a week can provide
significant stress reduction and health benefits.
Take a humor break: Forget reading the news filled
with negative information and head straight for the funnies.
Turn on the Comedy channel instead for the evening news
occasionally. Laughing is a great stress reducer!
Use supportive relationships: When someone says “Can
I help,” the best response for your health is “Yes!” Too
often we try to do everything alone, even when there might
be help within reach.
Don’t go it alone: Use Support Groups for caregivers
and informal support offered by your community, church and
friends to help.
Use Professional Help: There are many, many resources
and professionals, such as Geriatric Care Managers, that can
give expert professional assistance and reduce the stress of
care-giving.
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About The Author
Kate Granigan, LICSW is the Executive Director and
Managing Partner of C.A.R.E., LLC. For more information, you
may call Kate at (781) 837-7444.
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