New Year's Resolutions for Caregivers

It is easy to lose track of one’s personal needs when you are focused on caring for someone who depends on you. Unfortunately, neglecting one’s own health can lead to a decreased ability to provide the very care that keeps your loved one stable and safe.

By focusing on some helpful New Year’s resolutions, caregivers will be able to reap the rewards of care giving, maintain balance in their lives and provide care longer for their loved one.

Here are a few New Year’s resolutions for caregivers:

Take things a day at a time. We tend to look at the whole year in January and when you do that, you bite off lots more than you can chew. Caregiving is a dynamic situation, so whatever your circumstances are now, they are very likely going to change before December rolls around.

Treat yourself. Choose one thing that you'll do for yourself each day. That may seem like a lot, but it doesn't have to be anything big. Go to bed 15 minutes earlier - read one more chapter of your book - disconnect from the world by giving yourself 10 or 15 minutes without the phone, computer, TV, or other distractions - any of these things might be enough to give you a few minutes of respite, if no other options exist.

Be a care receiver, not just a caregiver. As the caregiver, you are always focused on giving to others, but you do need to be open to opportunities when others can step in and help you. Whether it is scheduling that long overdue doctor's appointment for yourself, accepting a kind offer from a friend to bring over dinner or help you out with errands, or asking for help from a professional, it is important to recognize that the people who give the most often end up needing the most as a result.

Shake off any self-criticism or guilt that you aren’t doing all you could be doing. Remind yourself daily that you’re doing the best you can for your loved one and your family.  Find ways to ensure that you get 7 to 8 hours of sleep every night. What daily activities can you cut out or delegate to make more time for rest? Can you hire someone or get help from friends?