Care Partner Rest - Time away from your loved one.
Care Partners and Caregivers, we are in the final months of Summer and the last opportunity to vacation. For a Care Partner, an extended break from caring for your loved one. Having time away is not only helpful for you but for your loved one as well.
We all agree, but how do you make this happen? It isn’t easy and takes planning but here are some tips that could help.
Plan ahead. Let your loved one, family and friends know that you need time away so that you can continue to provide ongoing care. Send out an email with needed dates and ask for help. Recommend: Start your email with “ All of you frequently ask, what can I do to help? Well, I sure could use your help so that I can have a break.”
Respite Care. Provides short term relief for primary caregiver. This can be for various amounts of times Hours to days. A great website to learn more about Respite Care, cost and providers is www.NIA.NIH.gov (Search respite Care)
Leave the guilt at home, not on your break, You are only able to provide the best care when you are refreshed, both emotionally and physically.
What helped…
The first time that I took time away, I admit, I was a nervous wreck. Would he have another stroke, would he be okay, and what do others think about me leaving him. Was I being selfish to want time away? All of these thoughts flooded my head.
What helped? - Getting out of my own head. I was also a person experiencing a crisis in life and need my time. Just as Rick would rest his brain and body, I needed to do that as well. Exhaustion can play tricks on your mind, body and spirit.
Identification that you have caregiver/care partner stress. Here are some signs to watch for…
Feeling burdened or worrying all the time
Feeling tired often
Sleeping too much or not enough
Gaining or losing weight
Becoming easily irked or angry
Losing interest in activities you use to enjoy
Feeling sad
The site “Companions for Seniors” shared 5 ways for family caregivers/care partners to rest and refresh.
Rest - getting a healthy amount of sleep (generally 7-9 hours per night)
Go out into nature - My happy place is the local Botanical Garden. A walk thru the park fills your senses with great sights, smells, and a sense of comfort
Take time for your own health - Many SS tend to sleep more than normal (naps in the afternoon) make that your time. Do something healthy for you - walk, make a great meal, or just relax.
Exercise - This tip makes all the difference but it is very hard to put into your regular day. I found that when I had a minute alone, exercise was the last thing on my mind. This is a real mind over matter tip - make exercise a priority, if only 15 minutes, start the habit and you will be amazed at how much better you feel.
Pick up a new hobby - Taking the focus off your everyday life makes the day so much better. I love to garden and spending an hour pulling weeds, a mindless activity, takes me to a peaceful place-
Enjoy your time away - You deserve it!