Although it can be very rewarding, being a caretaker can also be a very draining experience, either professionally or for a loved one. Sometimes when we give so much to someone else, it can be easy to neglect ourselves.

Self care is the concept of taking intentional actions each day to benefit one’s own mental and physical well-being. Whether or not you’re a caretaker—everyone should have a self care plan! When you’re working to come up with ideas of physical things to do to help yourself, it is important to consider any physical ailments or disabilities you may have, and be sure to tailor your self-care plan to those needs. Self care doesn’t need to cost money! Remember: even the smallest things add up. We have to consistently make time for ourselves no matter how busy we are.

What are some ideas for daily or weekly physical activities that you can do that will help to relax, energize, and repair your body? What are daily or weekly mental exercises you can do that will help keep your stress level low?

Here is a list of good ideas:

• A getting-out-of-bed ritual: take a nice long stretch, raising your arms to the sky, taking three long, slow breaths.
• Treat yourself to one tasty treat everyday: it doesn’t have to be something unhealthy! It can just be something you wouldn’t normally give to yourself.
• Find at least one thing that will make you laugh, every day. Seek out humor.
• Massage some lotion onto your arms, legs, and neck. Slow, deliberate pressure along your limbs will help relieve the stress.
• Take baths.
• Write yourself and other people positive notes.
• Repeat empowering things to yourself. You are strong, wise and helpful. You’re doing a good job. Remind yourself daily.
• A getting-into-bed ritual: this can be the same as your morning ritual. Just something that will relax you and separate you from the stress of the day.

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Often people make resolutions at the beginning of a new year, and very often we break them. But in particularly for caregivers, it is so important to be able to make permanent resolutions that can help you throughout this year and into the next. It is also important to make resolutions that take into account the changes that your loved one has gone through that perhaps are different than last year, and to reassess not only next January, but every few months to keep you both feeling well and not overwhelmed. Below is a list of ideas for making resolutions that will help you set reasonable and attainable goals for yourself and the one(s) you care for.

1. Have you been feeling burnt out? Think about at least one specific, relaxing thing that you can do for yourself on a regular basis. Maybe choose one that can be daily, or one that can be weekly, monthly, etc.

Examples:

Daily: take breaks! Take a moment to close your eyes, do some stretches, go for a walk, have a cup of tea, listen to your favorite music, or watch your favorite show.

Weekly: have at least one set time to go out and do something by yourself, and for yourself. If you can, have someone stay with the person you’re caring for so you can have some alone time. If cost is an issue, maybe you can develop a trade system where you each do each other a weekly favor.

2. Make at least one healthy snack or beverage for yourself every day.

By staying nourished with light and healthy foods, we feel more energetic. Our systems will become more balanced, our sleep will become more regular. Don’t forget to drink plenty of water—staying hydrated is an important way to keep your energy high and your digestion regular.

3. Positive affirmations.

Give yourself daily affirmations to remind yourself that you are doing a good job! You are a good person, doing your best. If it helps keep you on track, set a reminder on your phone or calendar to do your affirmation every day at the same time. “I am smart, I am doing a good job.” Or “I am trying my best, I will take time for myself.”

No matter what your resolution, make sure it is not too vague, and that it is something attainable now and throughout the year. Don’t bite off more than you can chew, and remember that you are doing your best. Keep up the good work!

November is National Caregivers Month and I’m here to say thank you to everyone who is, or who has been, a caregiver. Whether as a profession or for a family member, being a caregiver is often very difficult and draining work. In-between all of that caring for others, make sure you are doing all you can to take care of yourself. Start with a positive affirmation right now! What is one thing you really like about yourself? Say it to yourself, and remind yourself throughout the day.

The Caregiver Action Network has a great little article that outlines things that caregivers can do to keep themselves well, mentally and emotionally. Their acronym “Respite” (R-E-S-P-I-T-E) has some great suggestions on things you can do for yourself.

Take a look at this article on The Huffington Post, part of their series “Unsung Heroes.” As a caregiver, you really are a hero! Think about all of the different things you do for your loved ones and clients every day, and remind yourself that even if they can’t express it: the person(s) you’re caring for are grateful.

Thank you for all you do!

Many of you might think that in a Caregiving/Care Management agency we are somehow hardened by the experience of death as it meets our clients. But, after 25 years of serving clients, we have found that every client brings a new experience of life to those of us that have the honor to be with someone on this very last journey.

We have a secure way of sharing among staff the story of a client who has passed on from this life. I recently heard a story of a gentleman who died and how his life work really touched so many today and will for years to come. I also heard of his passions and interests in life and how his wife will grieve his loss.

We get brought into these lives and deliver a service that is necessary to gently support the frail years. There are very few careers that give you the opportunity to get to know, and yes love, individuals who you have not had a history with. Yet, it does feel like family when we lose someone who we have been working with for a few weeks or several years.

At Eldercare Services, when we have an all staff meeting, we always start by lighting a candle and saying the names of all those who have passed since we last met. We want the focus of our discussions to be centered on the “client” and as we talk about the workings of Eldercare Services, we see the smoke of the candle reminding us the “client” is why we exist.

Life is love – caring is love. We thank all the families that have trusted us to get to know their family members and gave us the privilege to provide the highest level of care during hard times and sometimes just short periods of recovery.

Being a caregiver to an older adult or anyone who has a major disability can be a rewarding career or a stepping stone to a career in nursing, medicine, social work or even teaching.

Our diversified staff at Eldercare Services has both male and female caregivers from all ages and cultures. The staff bring such a rich tradition of respect and care to our clients and are dedicated to the outcome of high quality lives for those who are very old or ill, to those that just need a little support to stay independent.

Some of our caregivers have come from the corporate world and wanted to do something that touched lives. They sought out training and then a team to work with that would support them and continue to provide training that furthered their education in the field of “care”.

We take great pleasure to mentor our care staff team on to careers in nursing, medicine, social work and other related careers.  Recently, one of our caregivers went on to become a licensed clinical social worker. Another, went to medical school to become a physician after spending his last two summers during college as a caregiver to one of our more medically challenged clients – he really wanted to make a difference in the lives of the very old. A third caregiver, who had a bachelor’s degree, furthered her education to become a Master’s level nurse who specializes in dementia and hospice because of her experience with Eldercare.

Caregiving is a field where you receive as much as you give. Making the life of someone just a little better with a simple smile or a back rub.  The human heart and tender touch can mean more than anything else to someone at the end of their life or someone struggling to recover from a medical condition.

Caregiving can be a career that fits into your current lifestyle – a few hours a week or a full-time position.   The hours can also fit around school schedules and the schedules of those who have school age children.

If you have heart and want a rewarding career that is not without challenges – give caregiving a try.