Family Doctor 2007 - (Page 241) mind & body CAREGIVER STRESS Don’t ignore your own needs It can be easy to neglect your own needs when you adopt a caring role. But preserving your own emotional, physical and mental wellbeing is essential for both you and your loved one. By Angelike M. Gaunt week can give you more energy, reduce stress and lift your mood. ● Do relaxation exercises — such as deep breathing or meditating — to reduce stress. ● Take a break from caregiving. If you take some time for yourself, you’ll be better able to take care of your loved one. Stay organized. Caregiving is often a full-time job, but you may have to do it on top of your other responsibilities, such as working or taking care of children. Make a schedule with your family. This will help all of you stay organized and will help you manage your time. Don’t forget to schedule time for things you enjoy. Create a support team. Plan for times when you’ll need help by making a list of people who are willing to help. Family members, friends and respite care workers can give you a break or help out when you can’t be there. On your list, include their phone numbers, C aring for a loved one who has a chronic illness or disability may lead to physical, emotional and mental strain. Caregivers are usually “on call” 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. If you are a caregiver, you have a lot going on, and you may feel as though you don’t have enough time or energy to take care of your own needs. But remember: Taking care of yourself will ultimately benefit the person you care for. The ‘hidden patient’ If you are a caregiver, you might have to help your loved one with tasks such as preparing and eating food, taking medicine, bathing and dressing. You might also have to run errands, do the grocery shopping and pay bills. Sleep deprivation, poor eating habits and lack of time to care for your own health are just some of the problems you may face. In fact, being a caregiver is so hard that some doctors think of caregivers as “hidden patients.” Caring for someone who is chronically ill may also make you feel frustrated, overwhelmed and stressed. These feelings are not wrong or strange. Caregiving can be very stressful, and stress can affect your body and lead to other health problems such as insomnia, anxiety, headaches, back pain and depression. In fact, many of the signs of caregiver stress are also symptoms of depression. If you have been experiencing these symptoms, see your family doctor. Stay organized by making a schedule with your family. the times they are available and the tasks they feel most comfort- Your needs come first Caregivers often feel they are being selfish if they take time to do things that make them feel good, such as exercising. But if you don’t take care of yourself and stay well, you won’t be able to help anyone else. The following are some things you can do to make sure you stay as healthy as possible while you take care of your loved one: Make wellness a priority. You may feel like you have to “do it all,” regardless of the toll it takes on you. However, one of the most important things you can do for your loved one is to take care of your health by doing the following: ● Visit your family doctor for regular checkups. ● Eat a balanced diet. ● Get plenty of rest. ● Get some exercise. Thirty to 60 minutes of exercise 4 to 6 times a able doing. Keep a copy of the list with you at all times in case you’re away from home when you need to ask someone for help. Set boundaries. Accept that there is a limit to what you can do as a caregiver. Recognize when you feel overwhelmed, and ask for help in caring for your loved one. Angelike M. Gaunt is an associate editor with the American Academy of Family Physicians, headquartered in Leawood, Kan. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION American Academy of Family Physicians http://familydoctor.org/645.xml Family Caregiver Alliance – National Center on Caregiving http://www.caregiver.org Womenshealth.gov http://www.4woman.gov/faq/caregiver.htm familydoctor 2007 241 http://familydoctor.org/645.xml http://www.caregiver.org http://Womenshealth.gov http://www.4woman.gov/faq/caregiver.htm
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