RULE NUMBER 2 FOR BEING A
GOOD CAREGIVER: TAKE CARE OF
YOURSELF
Taking care of yourself is the best thing you
can do not only for yourself, but for the one you
are caring for as well. It is understandable that
you might feel there is no way you can do what
is suggested here because you “don’t have the
time or you are just too tired.” But the reality is
if you don’t take care of yourself, in the long run
you won’t be able to properly care of your loved
one either.
Get Enough Sleep
Sleep is a very important part to good health.
Sleep when they sleep, even if it is sporadic, it is
beneficial.
Eat Right and Take Your Vitamins
You have heard that before. Just like an athlete
you must fuel your body with the right foods and
nutrients in order to compete, and in your case,
to provide care.
Get Physical Exercise
Find 30 minutes a day for some form of
physical exercise. You may wonder how, as tired
you are, you will find the strength to exercise. The
fact is that moderate exercise will do wonders
for giving you more energy, reducing stress and
improving your overall health. Find some form of
exercise that you like. Do not do something that
you dread. You will end up quitting.
Find an Activity
Find something you like to do for enjoyment.
Do anything that makes you happy. Reading,
yoga, crosswords, gardening and crocheting are all
great things to do by yourself at home while you
are taking care of your loved one. You also need
to find something you can do with a friend outside
of the home, if possible. This is one of those times
where you need to Ask For Help so that you can
get out of the house for an hour or two.
RULE NUMBER 3 FOR BEING A
GOOD CAREGIVER: LEARN AS
MUCH AS YOU CAN
Educate yourself about...
• How to give care. Take caregiving training if
available. This will prepare you for what you
need to know and how you should provide
care in all aspects of caregiving.
• Their disease, illness, or accident. Learn
how to communicate with and navigate the
health care system. Maintain good health
care records. The more you know, the better
you can care and cope.
• Financial matters. Understand insurance,
Medicare and Medicaid issues, and know
about the care recipient’s finances, if
relevant. Maintain good financial records.
Look at hiring an accountant or a financial
advisor if you do not understand the money
end of caring. Look at protecting assets long
term so that you are able to keep caring for
your loved one.
• Legal issues. Look at finding an elder law
attorney to deal with durable powers of
attorney, advance directives, Medicaid
planning issues and much more.
Family Caregivers
OVERVIEW
Are You a Family Caregiver and
Need Adult Day Care or Respite?
Services Providers:
• Savannah Court; Bartow, Haines City,
Lakeland, Lake Wales - See page 17
• Savannah Cottage (Memory Support);
Lakeland - See page 17
• Lake Gibson Village; Lakeland - Respite
only, See page 5
• Lake Morton Plaza; Lakeland - Respite
only, See page 4
• Spring Haven Retirement; Winter
Haven - Respite only, See page 4
• Astoria Senior Retirement; Winter
Haven - Respite only, See page 14
78 www.ElderCareGuide.com
/www.ElderCareGuide.com
