Most caregivers are so devoted to caring for their loved one that they don't have much time to care for themselves. It's a natural impulse that's as noble as it is self-defeating. Being a successful caregiver is not that much different from being an athlete: you should allow yourself time to recover from your efforts, you need to focus on ensuring your health is taken care of, you should turn to others for advice, and you need to stay flexible to tackle the new challenges you face each day.
Caregiver Resources
Caregiving, along with its many rewards, brings daunting responsibilities and pressures. As a caregiver, you are constantly asked to learn something new or to make yet another important decision, which is especially tough while balancing life’s many other responsibilities. Take advantage of support groups and the many other resources available, and don’t forget to take time out to take care of yourself.
Spending on Loved Ones
It’s easy to overlook a few dollars here and there, but for the many caregivers who dip into their own pockets to help out a loved one, the total can be a shock. If you often take care of co-pays, grocery bills or prescriptions, it could add up to financial worries and resentment. That won’t help anyone, so learn how to keep it in check.
Caregiving Costs
Tough Discussions
A new dent or scrape, missing a familiar exit, failing to notice the light has changed…these are familiar experiences for all drivers. But when the driver is a senior, you owe it to your loved ones and others on the road to admit it might be time to give up the keys.
Giving Up the Keys