Take Pride in Being a Caregiver

Being a caregiver is not easy, and the people who do it are very special. It’s a full time duty and can be very draining. Make sure you take care of yourself too by exercising regularly, eating properly, getting enough rest, getting regular health checkups and taking time to have some fun. The worst thing you can do is get burned out and make a mistake when taking care of your loved one(s).

When caring for your loved one, make sure you’re helping them be as independent as possible. I know with my son we want him to be a fully functioning contributing member of society. This takes a lot of work and recognizing when you need help is important. Don’t hesitate to ask someone for that extra help and accept support if necessary.  Remember that every act of independence your loved one makes is a victory for you as a caregiver.

Giving the person responsibility to care for something only helps make them more independent. You have to give them a chance to make mistakes. Reward them for both effort and results. The more the person feels good about what they are doing, the better they will become. When giving them tasks, make sure you’re matching tasks with abilities. If you don’t, you could be setting them up for failure.

Just remember the more support you have, the more successful you will be as a caregiver. If someone asks you if you need anything, the best answer is “Yes.” Be ready with specific ideas when someone offers you a lending hand. Give them the option to pick what they would like to do. Below is a few ways you can ask for help:

1. Do some yard work or make a meal.
2. Stay with your loved one so you can go out for awhile.
3. Go to the grocery store for you.

Here are a few other ways you can ask for help:

1. Find a grocery store that delivers.
2. Sign up for chore services or “Meals on Wheels.”
3. Hire a home health aide or personal care assistant.

There are many ways to get support out there. It takes a strong person with a big heart to be a caregiver. Feel good about what you’re doing. You’re making a difference in someone’s life but you need to make sure you don’t forget about yours. Keep pushing and please remember that you’re doing the right thing and Autism Life Link is VERY proud of YOU!

Please share this to ensure a caregiver like you has the opportunity to read and share this as well. Make sure you sign up for our newsletter so you’re notified as soon as a new blog comes out. Thank you for supporting our site and we look forward to you visiting again soon.

Source: www.WebMD.com

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