Caregiving is a loving yet demanding responsibility that can deplete a caregiver's energy and disrupt their personal connections. Even if caregiving isn't a round-the-clock task, it can still have significant impacts. As a caregiver, the needs of your loved one are constantly on your mind, both day and night, often causing stress that may go unnoticed until it becomes overwhelming. Prioritizing self-care is crucial, and this is the fundamental purpose of respite.
FIVE SELF-CARE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR RESPITE:
1) Prioritize your well-being. If you experience a stress-related illness, who will care for your loved one?
2) Seek assistance. You are not required to manage everything on your own. 3) Manage expectations with family members; they can only offer what they are emotionally capable of providing.
4) Maintain connections with friends outside of your caregiving responsibilities.
5) Break tasks into smaller, manageable segments to reduce the burden. Non-medical caregiving organizations can often assist with these tasks, even for as little as one hour at a time. You are not alone in this endeavor, and we are here to support you, fully understanding the demands involved.
We extend our deepest gratitude to Mandy Chizek, eldercare navigator, whose invaluable contributions made this article possible.
Johnson Khama
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