Friendship Center of Santa Barbara update for Jan. 1 — Self-Care: New Year’s Resolution for Caregivers

New Year’s Resolutions–a common concept in our culture, with many vowing to break habits they see as negative. For those devoted to caring for a loved one at home, however, the most important resolution they can make is for their own self-care. Too often, caregivers get caught up in the never-ending duties of caring for their loved one at the sacrifice of their own physical and psychological well-being.

In a recent Alzheimer’s Association study, 35% of caregivers for people with Alzheimer’s or other dementias reported that their health had worsened directly because of their care responsibilities. This is compared to 19% of those caring for elders without dementia.

Caring for a loved one on a long-term basis has its ups and downs. Naturally, it often feels good to help others. Being caregiver for a parent is often a mixed bag, as it comes with the emotional weight of your lifetime relationship, but there is also the satisfaction of knowing you are caring for them as they once cared for you.