Caring for yourself when caring for others
Instead of writing a blog for this month’s newsletter we’re mixing it up and revisiting an interview I did with UK Health & Wellness titled Caring for Yourself When Caring for Others, recorded in September 2020. It’s as timely now as it was then. Self-care is important.
As you’ll hear in the interview, stress is an unavoidable part of being a caregiver. It comes with the territory. Caring for an older loved one is both mentally and physically exhausting, and often there is no relief in sight. But it is important for your long-term health and well-being to find ways to take care of yourself and manage stress.
In the interview we cover the 6 tenets of self-care:
Social well-being
- Maintain connection by staying in touch with family and friends
- Seek and accept help from others
- Join an in-person or virtual support group
- Physical well-being
Eat a balanced diet
- Exercise regularly
- Get a good night’s sleep
- Tend to your own health care needs
- Emotional well-being
Recognize stress, then take steps to manage it
- Keep a journal
- Set aside some “me time”
- Know your limitations and boundaries
- Be mindful, present and judgment-free
- Practice gratitude
- Preparedness well-being
Learn about your loved one’s condition
- Know your loved one’s medical information (pharmacy, medications, health history, etc.)
- Know your loved one’s Social Security number and birthdate
- Financial well-being
Research programs to help cover caregiving costs and expenses
- Set a budget
- Consider temporary loan, credit card and mortgage deferments
- Review your options if you need to leave your job to become a caregiver
- Review your retirement savings
- Create necessary legal documents (power of attorney, living will, will, do not resuscitate order.)
- Career well-being
Communicate with your supervisor and co-workers
- Review options for flex time
- Organize home and work calendars
- Manage your phone calls and emails to ensure work and your loved one are tended to
- Use vacation time as vacation time
- Learn about leave policies, including Family Medical Leave and paid elder care leave