Aging with RAZ
Weekly caregiving tips by Tracy Cram Perkins, a dementia care consultant
Weekly caregiving tips by Tracy Cram Perkins, a dementia care consultant
We are not physically capable of being “on” 24/7. By focusing so much on your loved one’s needs, it is easy to stop taking care of your own health. In reality, not everyone can afford respite care for their loved ones, or you may live in a community that doesn’t offer it.
When you stop taking care of yourself, it hurts you and your loved one. Healthy Selfishness is prioritizing your own physical and mental well-being through self-care without harming others.
There are many creative ways to get down time. Consider taking small chunks of quality alone time during the day or evening.
✅ Call a friend to vent. Agree to save five minutes at the end of the call to talk about things that makes you both laugh
✅ Vent your feelings in a diary
✅ Run a quick errand by yourself
✅ Laughter Yoga exercises during the day, set an alarm on your phone
✅ Box Breathing elevates calm and lowers blood pressure
✅ Ask for help from friends and family based on their ability to give. For example, if they make chicken casserole for you it’s one less meal to prepare
✅ Go for a quick walk
✅ Explore playdates for your loved one with another caregiving family and swap the favor with whoever helped you. Building bonds with other caregivers supports all involved
Additionally, depending on where you live, you may have access to:
➡️ Adult Day Programs
➡️ Memory Cafes
➡️ Support Groups for both of you, in person or online
➡️ In-home Care Aides
➡️ Library Programs
➡️ Church Programs
Another alternative, the Hilarity for Charity (wearehfc.org) Recharge Respite Grant offers 100 hours of in-home respite care to be used in the 3-month grant period (US and Canada) with no cash value.
Keep in mind, things will happen that are out of your control. You would not be able to prevent them whether you are at home or away. The better rested and supported you are, the easier it is to cope and give care.
Treat yourself to some downtime. You deserve it.
@tracycramperkins — author of Dementia Home Care, How to Prepare Before, During, and After.