As caregivers, one often faces the overwhelming challenge of trying to balance work, family and the caregiving commitment. In trying to juggle it all it is common for caregivers to experience guilt around the caregiving role. Guilt can often result from time spent away from previous activities and obligations upon assuming a new role as […]
Caregiver Guilt and Finding Balance By Sheryl Leary
How do you find the balance? Is there a balance? Am I doing the right thing? Should I be doing more? These are important questions for a caregiver. They can dominate a caregiver’s daily thoughts. The experts all talk about balance. How do we find the balance when we are so busy doing the things […]
Dealing with Caregiver Guilt By Malika Brown, MSW, LSW
Caregivers often carry around undeserved guilt, believing that they aren’t doing enough for their loved ones. This guilt can make the caregiving role even more stressful than it already is. One might ask why a caregiver feels guilty when they’re doing such a courageous job. Here are some reasons: Resentment for personal time lost – It’s […]
Top Ten Ways to Care for YourSelf By Gary Barg
Keep a journal. Start today. Describe your fears as well as your hopes, the reality of what each day is like, Don’t be afraid to write about the losses, big or small. Stick with your journal.Let yourself record the little victories, go back and review the earlier months and years. Notice the personal, physical, emotional goals […]
Caring for the Caregiver
Source: Understanding and caring for the person with Alzheimer’s Disease : A practical Guide prepared by the Atlanta Area Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association. Being a caregiver is a stressful and demanding job. There is usually very little, if any opportunity to prepare for a new caregiving situation. The well-being of the caregiver requires priority consideration. Thought […]
The Four R’s of Coping by Helen Hunter ACSW, LSW
REORGANIZE Reorganize your life. What do you need to focus on at this time? By reorganizing your life, you can better structure your needs and the needs of others. RETHINK Rethink your priorities. What is most important to you? By taking a good look at what is most important in your life, you can focus and […]
Caregiver Burnout By M. Ross Seligson PHD, PA
Being able to cope with the strains and stresses of being a caregiver is part of the art of caregiving In order to remain healthy so that we can continue to be caregivers, we must be able to see our own limitations and learn to care for ourselves as well as others. It is important […]
Involving Others in Your Caregiving By Ryan Mackey
Receiving some extra help or consideration from others goes a long way to helping you deal with the daily rigors of life. Given the right help and proper respite time, you will feel better about your overall role, and be stronger emotionally and physically to continue your caregiving. Because much of the burden of care […]
How To Take a Much Needed Vacation As a Caregiver By Tobi Johnston MA, MSW, RSW and Jessica Bell BID
As summer approaches here in the East Kootenay many caregivers contemplate a vacation and time away from their caregiving role. While taking breaks is invaluable for caregivers, many caregivers see time away as an impossible dream. Legitimate issues like who will provide care while away? Is overnight care necessary? How much will it all cost? […]
Rural and Remote Caregiving Issues Supporting Caregivers in the East Kootenay and Columbia Valley By Tobi Johnston M.A., M.S.W.
Caring for an elderly person can be hard work. Balancing life and family while juggling the role of caregiver can often lead to burnout, stress and isolation. Furthermore, navigating the system as a caregiver can be confusing and frustrating. That is why the Caregivers Network for East Kootenay Seniors believes that providing emotional support, information […]