Caring For Yourself As A Carer
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When providing care for somebody else, it’s very easy to neglect your own care. Here are several tips for looking after yourself when taking on the care of someone else.
Know what you’re financially entitled to
Caring for someone else can be financially difficult – especially if you have to give up work to provide the care that they need.
You should do some research into government benefits to ensure that you and the person you’re caring for are both getting the financial support that you need. It’s possible that you may be entitled to a carer’s allowance, which could help you to fund yourself. There may also be disability-related home improvements such as stairlifts and grab bars that you can get grants for so that you don’t have to dig into your own pockets.
Alternatively, you may be able to get help from local charities if you are struggling financially. There are charities out there that are aimed specifically at assisting carers with the financial support they need.
Share the care with someone else
Getting a helping hand could give you the break you need so that you don’t feel you’re constantly on call. This could be time to relax at home or time to go out and meet friends or partake in social activities.
Home hospice care could be an option to look into. Even if it’s only a few hours a week, it will give you the break you need. A lot of carers may hire help in the mornings and evenings when it comes to washing and dressing loved ones. You could also consider a couple days of respite care if you need a couple days’ break.
Don’t forget to also consider help from friends and family. Even if they don’t feel comfortable helping with the physical care, they may be able to help with other jobs around the home which could help to lift the burden.
Don’t neglect your own health
A lot of carers can also ignore health problems of their own, which can cause these problems to become serious. If you get ill, it could not only affect you, but your ability to care for loved one. For this reason, looking after your health should be a priority.
Make sure you’re seeing the doctor when you have a health concern and watch out for signs of health problems. Chronic stress can often trigger health problems ranging from muscle cramps to heart disease – which is why sharing out the care is so important so that you can relax. Make sure that you’re also getting enough sleep and eating healthily. Above all, try to laugh and have fun.
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