By Charles B. Inlander

Depending on the needs of the person being cared for, your caregiving role may be a 24-hour, non-stop job. It can be especially taxing if you have health and medical needs of your own.

In order to be an effective caregiver, it is essential that you take care of yourself. That means getting enough rest. Getting away from the daily routine by going out with friends, taking a vacation (even if it is for one day), and having back-up support  such as friends or family to relive you when you need a break makes all the difference.

In reality, most people caring for a loved one do not take adequate care of themselves and often end up in the doctor’s office, or even the hospital, suffering from exhaustion, depression, and even physical injury. As a result, they become less effective caregivers and may end up needing care for themselves.

Savvy Care for You

Here are some savvy tips on taking care of yourself so that you can provide the best care possible for your family member or friend.

• Don’t be a martyr! No matter how competent you are, you cannot do everything. You are not helping the person you care for if you are constantly tired, angry, and cut-off from the rest of the world. The quicker you realize this, the better care you will provide.
• Have regular back up. Try to have another family member or friend help you on a regular basis. This is often easier said than done, but it is essential. Ask members of your church or synagogue to help you find someone to come in a few hours, several days a week to give you a break. Neighbors can often help.
• Check with local service agencies for low-cost and free services that provide aides and homemaker services that will come in and give you a break. A good source to helping you find these services is the National Association of Area Agencies on Aging. Contact them at www.n4a.org . Or call them at 800-677-1116. Check with your county’s welfare office for other assistance that is available.
• Check into adult daycare. Unless the person you are caring for is unable to leave the home, most communities have free or low cost adult day care programs. These are programs that will transport your loved one, even if physically disabled, to a center where trained staff provide daily activities that are appropriate for your loved one. These facilities usually provide at least one meal (be sure to check with each facility to make sure). This is an ideal way for the person being cared for to socialize and for you to rest or go out with friends to a movie or lunch.
• Find out about respite care. Respite care is temporary relief for caregivers and families who are caring for those with disabilities, chronic or terminal illnesses, or the elderly. There are many respite care programs in each state that will take a person needing care for a few days to a few weeks. An excellent source of finding such programs is the ARCH Respite Network. At their Website www.archrespite.org, you can search for programs in your own area. Again, you should also check with you local welfare department for a list of other services.

Remember, taking care of yourself means you will be a better caregiver for someone else.