10 Tips for Family Caregivers

By Suzanne Mintz, National Family Caregivers Association

1 Caregiving is a job and respite is

your earned right. Reward yourself

with respite breaks often.

2 Watch out for signs of depression,

and don?t delay in getting professional

help when you need it.

3 When people offer to help, accept

the offer and suggest specific things

that they can do.

4 Educate yourself about your loved

one?s condition and how to communicate

effectively with doctors.

5 There?s a difference between caring

and doing. Be open to technologies

and ideas that promote your loved

one?s independence.

6 Trust your instincts. Most of the

time they?ll lead you in the right

direction.

7 Caregivers often do a lot of lifting,

pushing, and pulling. Be good to your

back.

8 Grieve for your losses, and then

allow yourself to dream new dreams.

9 Seek support from other caregivers.

There is great strength in knowing you

are not alone.

10 Stand up for your rights as a caregiver

and a citizen.