The Caregiver's Self-Care Checklist
If you've ever been on a plane, you've most likely heard the flight attendant say: put your oxygen mask on first before helping others. That's because if you run out of oxygen, you can't help anyone else with their mask.
The same can be said for being a caregiver; if you aren't taking care of yourself, you can't take care of others properly.
A recent National Alliance for Caregiving and AARP Public Policy Institute survey found that 40% of caregivers felt emotionally stressed, and about 20% felt physically strained.
So how can you, as a caregiver, care for your mental, emotional, and physical well-being? We put together this self-care checklist in honor of National Family Caregivers Month!
What is a caregiver?
A caregiver is a paid or unpaid person who helps another person with their medical and personal needs. Sometimes it may be short-term, like recovering from an illness or surgery. Sometimes it may be long-term, such as a person who has Alzheimer's.
An unpaid caregiver is usually a family or friend who has a meaningful personal relationship with the person in need.
What impact does caregiving have on a person?
Being a caregiver can be extremely rewarding and fulfilling.
On the flip side, it can also be exhausting and draining, especially when you aren't taking care of yourself.
Caregiver burnout is long-term stress that negatively affects your physical, emotional, and mental health. Some of the side effects associated with it include:
Greater use of psychoactive medications
Increased risk of depression and anxiety
Poor physical health
A checklist for caregivers.
Maintaining a healthy mind, body, and spirit is critical for you and the person you are caring for.
Whether you write it out or print out an online caregiver checklist, we encourage you to use this list as a daily reminder of the importance of caregiver self-care.
Reach out to other caregivers/resources
Ask for and accept help from others
See your doctor regularly
Keep up with at least one activity that you love
Plan visits with friends and family often
Identify an outlet for stress (yoga, meditation, journaling, support groups, etc.)
Exercise at least a few days a week
Make sure you are getting enough quality sleep
Remind yourself it's okay to feel negative emotions from time to time
Helpful hint: post your checklist somewhere you can view it every day, like the refrigerator!
Final Thoughts
Caregiving for a loved one is a selfless act to give back to someone who has cared for you while providing an increased meaning and purpose in your life.
However, without prioritizing your health and well-being, you risk the chance of burnout and a long list of severe adverse effects. Using the tips above can provide you with a path to balancing caregiving with other stressors in life.
If you need information about senior living communities in the Richmond area or want to explore housing options to meet the needs of your loved one better, Benchmark Senior Solutions can help.
We offer free senior housing advisory services for older adults in Central VA. That means we use our knowledge and expertise to help your loved one find the perfect place to call home based on their medical needs, budget, and lifestyle.
From assisted living and memory care to skilled nursing and independent communities, Benchmark is Richmond's trusted source for senior placement services. Contact us today to get started!
