Balancing Act: Managing Caregiver Responsibilities and Self-Care

There are steps you can take to avoid or reverse caregiver exhaustion. Remember: taking care of yourself is taking care of the person who relies on you. Try some of these ideas based on the experiences of many caregivers like yourself: 

• Share decision-making: As long as the person you are caring for can acknowledge and understand your discussion, involve them in the decisions that go along with care; try to be active partners. It will help them retain a sense of independence, while taking some of the burden off of you. 
• Remember your needs: You need time to get away from your role as caregiver, to relax and to get additional support. These needs may create feelings of conflict or guilt, but please remember: you are taking care of the person who needs you by taking care of yourself. 
• Anticipate needs: The earlier you discuss needs, the more time you have to explore possibilities. Then you will feel better about the choices you need to make in the future. 
• Understand what you're managing: Gather information about the specific disease or conditions of the person you’re caring for. The more you know, the better you’ll be able to plan for the future. 
• Involve others: Ask other family members and friends for help. People usually are willing and pleased to be asked; they just may not volunteer. Consider a family meeting to brainstorm ideas and to see how to share responsibilities. 
• Talk: Share with someone outside the family about your reactions to caregiving. Use a friend who isn’t close to the situation as a sounding-board. 
• Be flexible: Just when you think you are in control, something will change. Being thrown off balance is frustrating; try to be ready for change.