by Emily Cooper
National Family Caregivers Month, observed each November, is the officially designated time for recognizing our nation’s 90 million family caregivers—though, of course, they deserve our thanks daily. The theme for this year’s special month is “Take Care to Give Care.”
Caregiver Action Network (CAN, www.caregiveraction.org), the founder of National Family Caregivers Month, reminds caregivers that the first rule of taking care of others is take care of yourself first. Though caregiving can be a rewarding experience, it also is physically and emotionally demanding. In order to be there for your loved one, it’s essential to pay attention to your own physical and mental wellness, and get proper rest and nutrition. You really must “take care to give care.” CAN asks caregivers to consider the following:
• Caregiving can be a stressful job. Most caregivers say they feel stressed because of all their responsibilities—which often mean they put themselves last.
• The stress of caregiving impacts your health. One out of five caregivers say they have sacrificed their own health while caring for a loved one. It’s no wonder that caregivers have a disproportionate number of health and emotional issues, including depression and other chronic conditions.
• Proper nutrition promotes good health. Eating well is key to maintaining strength, energy, and stamina, and helps strengthen immunity. It’s one of the best things you can do for yourself.
• Ensuring good nutrition for your loved one helps make care easier. Eating well has equally important benefits for your care recipient. It helps maintain muscle health, supports recovery, and reduces the chance of re-hospitalization.
Remember: Rest. Recharge. Respite. Caregivers may think of respite (time off ) as a luxury, but it’s better to take regular time off than to risk emotional and physical illness that can threaten your caregiving. Taking a breather can help you be as good a caregiver tomorrow as you are today.
~ Emily Cooper is Information and Referral Specialist for Caregiver Programs with Boulder County Area Agency on Aging, a Division of Community Services. For more information on BCAAA caregiver services, call 303-678-6116 or email InfoCaregiver@bouldercounty.org/