GRAND Magazine - January/February 2011 - (Page 28)
dr. marion
Priority #
is you!
New Year’s
resolution for
caregivers:
put yourself first
BY DR. MARION SOMERS
W
28 GRAND
ith every new year comes
the promise of new beginnings,
with many a resolution
centered on improving
one’s health, happiness and
well-being. For those caring
for an aging parent, though,
it’s tough to put yourself first.
Caregivers tend to overlook
their own mental and physical
health, and often feel guilty
about taking time for themselves.
But did you know that’s
actually the best possible thing
you can do for your loved one?
The fact is, staying healthy
JAN FEB 2011
and happy yourself will ultimately
allow you to provide
better care for someone else.
Here’s how you
can get started:
Ask for help. Caring for a
loved one can be an overwhelming
job, yet many caregivers
are determined to go it
alone. This is a mistake. You’re
not any less of a caregiver if
you take some time out for
yourself, seek out support or
delegate tasks to others. All
too often I see caregivers play
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Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of GRAND Magazine - January/February 2011