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Key Learnings
Caring for aging loved ones can be demanding, especially when balancing work, parenting or other responsibilities. However, taking time to prioritize your physical and emotional health is critical to maintaining your strength and reducing the risk of burnout. It’s just as essential to create a self-care strategy for yourself as having a caregiving plan for your loved one. By scheduling time for yourself, you may experience:
- Improved physical health
- Enhanced emotional well-being
- Reduced feelings of overwhelm
- Greater patience with others
- Increased resilience against stress and burnout
Recommended Steps
Write Out a Self-Care Plan: Strategize with family, friends, health care providers and others to determine how to best incorporate exercise, healthful food, rest, and enjoyment into your routine. Ask friends to reach out to you for a movie date or get lunch with a favorite cousin on the calendar.
Schedule Self-Care in Your Calendar: If you don’t plan time to take care of yourself, it may not happen.
Leverage Workplace Benefits: Ask about flextime, work-from-home options, and leave policies. See if you get employee benefits such as counseling and caregiving service referrals.
Tap into Caregiver Support Services. Explore eldercare.acl.gov, your loved one’s area agency on aging, and other national or local organizations to find caregiver support services such as respite care; in-person and online caregiver support groups; or communities that can provide connection and advice.
Explore Safety-Enhancing Technology. Look into smart home security systems, fall-detection medical alert systems, or wearables that can provide some peace of mind.
Accept Assistance: Say “yes” when someone offers to help. Consider what aspects of your life they could help with, such as mowing your lawn or providing a meal for your family so you are freed up to care for your loved one. Be specific about your needs.
Tips for Success
- Keep a running list of people and resources that can support you.
- Proactively ask for help — and accept it when offered.
- Be specific when discussing the types of assistance you need.
- Take breaks, even for a few minutes, for deep breathing or a quick stretch.
- Ask your HR team about caregiving-related workplace benefits.
- Explore in-person and online caregiver support groups.
- Plan how to incorporate exercise and healthy meals into your day.
- Learn how to recognize the signs of burnout, such as fatigue, irritability or hopelessness.
- Seek professional help when you’re struggling physically or emotionally.
- Adapt the caregiving plan if you need other people or services to fill more gaps so you can have more time for self-care.
