Tips for caregivers

If you are a caregiver to an elderly loved one, you may find yourself in a demanding position. Many caregivers are still caring for their own families, careers and other demands, when they find they must step in and begin care giving for an elderly loved one. If you are someone who is caring for a chronically ill or disabled family member, it is important that you educate yourself about all aspects of care giving. This will help you to not get overwhelmed by the many demands of caregivers face. Here are some tips for caregivers-

• Realize that you are not alone-Today there is lots of support that is available for caregivers. It is important to not let the stress of giving care to a loved one burn you out. You can damage both your physical and mental health, if you don't reach out for support. There are groups and resources that are available through local community centers, hospitals and even churches. If none of these resources are available then you can search online, for information to support you. There are sites that can provide the information you needs, as well as online discussion groups to gain help and support.
• Educate yourself about your family member's illness or problems and how to be the most effective caregiver that you can be. Education is empowerment and the more knowledge that you gain, the more you will be effective, which will help you to feel satisfied with your care giving efforts.
• Know your limits-You should be realistic about how much of your time and yourself you can give. It is crucial to set limits and then communicate those limits to everyone who is involved. These limits should be clearly communicated to the loved ones doctors, other family members and anyone else who may be involved. When there are limits, the expectations that you have for yourself and that everyone else have can be far more realistic.
• Accept and acknowledge your feelings-It is crucial to understand that the process of care giving can bring on a lot of emotions. Many of these emotions are difficult to process. You may feel anger, fear, helplessness, guilt, resentment and even grief over your loved ones illness. You should take the time to process whatever emotions you are feeling. Processing your emotions (as long as it doesn't compromise the care you are giving) will allow you to be a better caregiver.
• Ask for help-It's important that you don't hesitate to ask for help. Too often caregivers feel that they have to shoulder everything themselves. Sometimes just talking to other people about what you are feeling is help enough. While caregiver support groups can be a great resource, opening up to trusted friends and family can also give a caregiver the needed emotional reserve to go on. It can also be helpful to talk with a therapist or counselor.
• Take a break-Its ok to take breaks. Caregivers often feel that they must constantly be on duty. Respite care is available, so caregivers don't experience the type of burnout that keeps them from coming back. When others offer to help, accept the offer and suggest specific ways that they can help.Whether you need to take a week off, or just a few hours, arranging for a respite care is loving act, not a desertion of your duties.

Providing care for a family member in need is a centuries-old act of kindness, love, and loyalty. And as life expectancies increase and medical treatments advance, more and more of us will participate in the care giving process, either as the caregiver, the recipient of care, or possibly both. Knowing and understanding the role of the caregiver can make those times much more beneficial for everyone involved.