- Taking breaks-making time to focus on you is very important. You can schedule a certain day/time or take time when you have the opportunity. Spend the time with family or friends, do a hobby you enjoy or just having quiet time alone is fine too.
- Prioritize- housekeeping, rest and exercise. Creating a healthy balance between caring for your loved one and caring for yourself.
- Support group- finding a place you can talk about your feelings and share experience and feed back with other caregivers.
- Accept support from others- know when to ask for help and accept help from those who offer.
- Focus on the positive- try to begin each day with a positive outlook and reflect on the day; try to think of one good moment in the day.
- Be flexible with your expectations or set new ones that you can achieve.
- Talk about things you enjoy, try not to always talk about care giving.
- Humor-find something to laugh about; keeping your sense of humor is important.
Warning Signs — When is it time for help?
- When you feel good enough just doesn’t feel good enough.
- When the feeling of enduring all tasks and responsibilities alone.
- When you feel the idea of respite, even for a brief moment does not exist.
- Providing care to your loved one is a major part of your daily routine or takes your entire day.
- Family relationships start to feel stressful and there is tension due to pressure of care giving
- Caregiving is interfering with your personal, social and work life
- You feel that you are doing everything, not allowing anyone in to assist or help.
- Refusing to focus on you for fear of feeling selfish.
- Destructive coping mechanisms-such as over/under eating, taking it out on loved ones, using drugs or alcohol.
- Happy times do not exist for you, resentment and exhaustion have taken over and you no longer feel good about yourself or what you are doing.
Central Wyoming Hospice & Transitions can provide you with:
- Information about services we offer, including support group days and times.
- Educational training in techniques such as transfers, nutrition, dressing, etc.
- Trained volunteers to offer support and respite to you and your loved one.
- Assistance with making decisions regarding health care, advance directives, Power of Attorney.
- A safe place to express your feeling about caring for your loved one, through private counseling or support groups.
- Assistance with finding other resources within the community that can provide support.
- A supportive, trusting environment for you, your family and your loved ones.