Caring for a loved one strains even the most resilient people. If you're a caregiver, take steps to preserve your own health and well-being.
As the population ages, more people are doing caregiving. About 1 in 3 adults in the United States is an informal or family caregiver.
A caregiver is anyone who helps another person in need. A person in need might be an ill spouse or partner, a child with a disability, or an aging friend or relative.
Caregivers report higher levels of stress than do people who are not caregivers. It's important for caregivers to know that they, too, need help and support.

Caregiving can have many rewards. For most caregivers, caring for a loved one feels good. And it can make your relationship stronger.
But the demands of caregiving also cause emotional and physical stress. It's common to feel angry, frustrated, worn out or sad. And it's common to feel alone.

Caregiver stress can put caregivers at risk of changes in their own health. Factors that can increase caregiver stress include:
•Caring for a spouse.
•Living with the person who needs care.
•Caring for someone who needs constant care.
•Feeling alone.
•Feeling helpless or depressed.
•Having money problems.
•Spending many hours caregiving.
•Having too little guidance from health care professionals.
•Having no choice about being a caregiver.
•Not having good coping or problem-solving skills.
•Feeling the need to give care at all times.

Signs of caregiver stress
As a caregiver, you may be so focused on your loved one that you don't see how caregiving affects your own health and well-being. The signs of caregiver stress include:
•Feeling overwhelmed.
•Feeling burdened or worrying all the time.
•Feeling tired often.
•Difficulty concentrating.
•Social withdrawl.
•Sleeping too much or not enough.
•Gaining or losing weight.
•Becoming easily annoyed or angry.
•Losing interest in activities you used to enjoy.
•Feeling sad.
•Having frequent headaches or other pains or health problems.
•Misusing alcohol or drugs, including prescription medicines.
•Missing your own medical appointments.

Tips to manage caregiver stress
The emotional and physical demands of caregiving can strain even the strongest person. Many resources and tools can help you care for your loved one and yourself. Make use of them. If you don't take care of yourself, you won't be able to care for anyone else.
To help manage caregiver stress:
•Ask for and accept help. Make a list of ways in which others can help you. Then let them choose how to help. Ideas include taking regular walks with the person you care for, cooking a meal for you and helping with medical appointments.
•Focus on what you can do. Focus on what needs to be done immediately and let go of perfectionism. But no one is a perfect caregiver. Believe that you're doing the best you can.
•Set goals you can reach. Break large tasks into smaller steps that you can do one at a time. Make lists of what's most important. Follow a daily routine. Say no to requests that are draining, such as hosting meals for holidays or other occasions.
•Get connected. Learn about caregiving resources in your area. There might be classes you can take. You might find caregiving services such as rides, meal delivery or house cleaning. Contact your local Division of Senior Services for services, programs and entitlements.
•Practice stress relief techniques.  Mindfulness, meditation, journaling and yoga can help to reduce emotional and physical stress.
•Join a support group. People in support groups know what you're dealing with. They can cheer you on and help you solve problems. A support group also can be a place to make new friends. If you are caring for someone with dementia contact https://www.alz.org/  also in New Jersey https://www.alznj.org/,, Manhattan https://caringkindnyc.org/supportgroups/
•Seek social support. Stay connected to family and friends who support you. Make time each week to visit with someone, even if it's just a walk or a quick cup of coffee.
•Take care of your health. Find ways to sleep better. Move more on most days. Eat a healthy diet. Drink plenty of water.
•See your health care professional. Take care of your health and get regular screenings.
Respite care
It may be hard to leave your loved one in someone else's care. But taking a break can be one of the best things you do for yourself and the person you're caring for. Types of respite care include:
•In-Home Respite. Health care aides come to your home to spend time and care for your loved
•Adult Day Care. Offers specialized programs to engage, socialize and help recreate. Programs often include meals and door to door transportation.
•Short-term residential care. Some assisted living homes, memory care homes and nursing homes accept people who need care for short stays while caregivers are away.
Working outside the home
Employees covered under the federal Family and Medical Leave Act may be able to take up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave a year to care for relatives. Ask your human resources office about choices for unpaid leave.

You aren't alone
Contact me so that we can discuss and arrange for the help you need.
https://www.viviangreenkorner.com/