Welcome to my new series, “Tips for Caregivers, Near and Far.”
January 6, 2018
Happy New Year!
Today’s tip is the 1st for 2018 and it’s Tip #5 – Seek Support: No Woman or Man is an Island
Caregiving can be very isolating and lonely. This also applies to caregivers who are not 24/7 caregivers, but are very involved, from near or far away, in the medical, safety, and/or financial issues of their loved one.
You may feel, as many caregivers do, that you are completely alone in your situation, that others don’t understand you, and, because of the work involved in caregiving, you might spend a lot of your time isolated from friends and family members. Often times, resentment builds as you watch others having a good time, while you feel unable to join in because of having to stay with your loved one or, perhaps, you feel that you can’t join in because you have nothing interesting to talk about, having spent a good part of your day dealing with the caregiver issues.
You need to know that YOU ARE NOT ALONE. There are many people just like yourself who are dealing with the same issues, the same feelings, the same ups and downs, and even the same sense of isolation. If you reach out to connect with those people, you will not only benefit from having what all humans require for emotional and physical wellness, social connection, but you will likely learn some things that can help you with your caregiving.
There are many support groups for caregivers that you can join. Contact your local Area Agency on Aging to find out where there’s a support group nearest you. Can’t make it in person? There are also caregiver support groups in real time on-line. If you’re beginning to feel burned out and depressed, you might also benefit from some supportive counseling with a mental health professional. There are all sorts of resources out there for you to take advantage of. You don’t need to be an island!
For more of my blogs, check out ThriveGlobal.com.
Stay tuned for more tips and my upcoming blog with stories of my own personal experiences related to some of these tips!! Check out all of my blogs, read about my internet consulting service, and check out my internet radio program with expert guests, right here on my website. And keep your eyes open for news right here and HERE about my new book, The Passionate Life: Creating Vitality & Joy at Every Age, coming to your favorite booksellers THIS year!!
