Caring For Yourself

Caring for Yourself

Caring For The Caregiver
Topics

General

Care for the Caregiver
Because caregiving can be so overwhelming, it’s important to take steps to refresh yourself. At the very least, this will ensure that your loved one always gets the best you have to offer.
Caregiver Self-Assessment Questionnaire
Caregivers are often so concerned with caring for a loved one's needs that they lose sight of their own well-being. This questionnaire provides a valuable basis for self-evaluation.

Maintaining Your Health

Exercise And Caregiving
If done right, exercise can help reduce stress, increase energy, and make you a better caregiver.

Take Care Of Yourself
While you’re caring for someone else, you shouldn’t forget to take care of yourself.

The Sandwich Generation
Do you care for both an older relative and your own children? If so, you’re part of the “Sandwich Generation,” in increasingly growing segment of the American population.

Your Mental Health
Caring for a loved one can be an emotionally exhausting experience. Here are some suggestions for dealing with the stress that comes with a caregiving situation.
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Support Systems

Community Services
While every community is different, most offer a variety of services that can lighten your caregiving load. Here is a list of the types of services that might be available in your area.
Help From Family And Friends
Caring for a loved one is hard enough without trying to do it all yourself. As you prepare to enter the caregiving process, don’t be afraid to ask family and friends for help.
How To Share The Care
Some ideas to help you form a caring network of family and friends, so you won’t have to shoulder the caregiving burden alone.
Social Service Checklist
Use this form to keep a record of in-person and phone interviews with social service agencies.
Support For The Family Caregiver
Some ideas to help ease the burden on caregivers of terminally-ill loved ones.
The Fragmented Family
A FamilyCare America expert tells you where to turn when your support groups are scattered.
What Is Adult Day Care?
The basic facts about this important source of respite care.
Your Mental Health
Caring for a loved one can be an emotionally exhausting experience. Here are some suggestions for dealing with the stress that comes with a caregiving situation.

Work and Caregiving

Caregivers's Rights
If you’re forced to miss work to handle caregiving responsibilities, you need to be aware of your legal rights as outlined in the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993.
Resources for Employers and Working Caregivers
The Employer Resources section of this site provides research, tools and information for employers and working caregivers. Learn how family caregiving responsibilities impact employees and the organization itself and why helping working caregivers is good business.