Caring for the Caregivers

If you are caring for an elderly parent, a child or a spouse with a chronic or debilitating condition, it’s important to “put your own lifejacket on first” by taking care of your own physical and mental health.

Here are caregiver-to-caregiver basic tips for self-care:

• Find someone to talk to: a medical person, an online network, a friend or a counselor from your EAP.
• Identify local support resources. Learn how to ask for help and accept it.
• Eat properly, exercise and get enough sleep. Take time off, even if only a few minutes a day.
• Recognize signs of burnout and get help. Learn how to say no. Pace yourself and set limits.
• Find healthy ways to deal with your stress.

Tips to support caregivers – If you know a caregiver, here are some simple things you could do to help:

• Keep in touch. Caregivers often feel isolated, alone and abandoned.
• Listen and care. People often need to talk in detail about problems they experience.
• Offer concrete help. Shovel a walk, mow a lawn, run an errand, bring over a casserole.
• Contribute financially. Caregiving costs can add up. Help with direct costs or give gift cards for groceries and other necessities.
• Be supportive. Avoid second-guessing, back-seat driving and criticism.

Find more help by logging in to www.theEAP.com and clicking Caregiver Resources.

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