Being a successful caregiver is a balancing act. Successful caregivers know that they are responsible for taking care of themselves as well as for their loved one. Part of this balance is physical. Often, caregivers focus so intently on helping their loved one that they neglect to eat well, exercise regularly, keep their own doctor’s appointments or even get adequate rest. The bottom line: pay attention to your own health, and in the long run, you’ll be a better caregiver and a more effective spouse, parent and employee.

Enjoy a Change of Pace

Successful caregivers also make a priority of maintaining their social lives. As a caregiver, you need friends to keep you balanced, so rather than turn down invitations to go out to dinner or shopping, ask another friend or family member to stand in for you for a few hours. You may find that more people than you thought would be happy to help. For breaks lasting several days or even a few weeks, you can take advantage of a Short-term Stay Program, such as those available at Sunrise Senior Living communities.

Join a Support Group

Support groups for caregivers are another useful resource that you should investigate. Support groups provide an opportunity to learn from others who face the same challenges that you do. Quite often, people come away from support group meetings eager to try new approaches to caregiving that others have used successfully. They also gain the sense of perspective that comes from hearing others talk about their experiences and comparing them with their own.

Give Yourself a Pat on the Back

Above all, successful caregivers give themselves credit for doing the best possible job they can do, rather than focus on things they haven’t accomplished. The care and compassion you are providing are priceless.

For more than 25 years, Sunrise has worked diligently to champion quality of life for all seniors and the families and friends who love and support them, and we welcome the opportunity to assist caregivers in regaining a healthy balance. Feel free to contact your local Sunrise community for advice on caring for yourself as well as for information on the meeting times of local caregiver support groups.