Are You Taking Care Of A Parent Or Your Spouse?

If you are, don't forget to take care of yourself.

Taking care of another adult is sometimes like caring for a toddler, with a bigger body. It's imperative that you safeguard your physical health and your mental well-being.

Roughly one in four American families care for someone over the age of 50. Women comprise more than 75% of this population, and more than 2/3 of those caregivers have jobs in addition to caring for an adult at home.

The emotional stress of caring for another person in the home leads to depression and burn-out.
On the flip side, many care-givers report a positive effect on their own lives, and emotional health. I suppose it's partially a matter of attitude, support systems, and the ability to get additional help when needed, such as home health nursing care.


Take time to laugh every day.

Contact your local Area Agency on Aging (AAA) for help. There are resources to help you.

If nothing else, take your loved one to a doctor, ask the doctor to order Home Health in for an evaluation by a medical social worker to assist you in finding help.

Take time to laugh every day!

If you're the care-giver, make sure to ask for and accept help. Take time off. Arrange with a friend, a family member, someone from your church, or respite care to come in and stay with your loved-one while you go out for the afternoon or evening. Try to do this once a week at least.

Stay connected with your friends.

Arrange a call list with your friends, just to chat about the victories of the day.

It's not easy, but stay as positive about the situation as you can. It's invaluable to both you and your loved one.