Caregivers are an essential role in the lives of many people with spinal cord injuries. When you decide to take on the role of a caregiver, it can be a highly rewarding experience. Those who take on caregiver roles however can be forgotten in the busy world of life with a spinal cord injury. How are they feeling? Are their needs being met as well?
Caregivers must take care of themselves to avoid caregiver burnout, which we discussed in an earlier article (link). It may feel selfish, but caregivers are humans too, which means they deserve some TLC. If a caregiver does not take care of themselves, the care they give will suffer, and that won’t be good for anybody. To ensure you don’t neglect yourself, here are nine tips on how to best support yourself as a caregiver to someone with a spinal cord injury.
Ask for Help
If you have taken on a significant amount of caregiving and you feel like it's going ok, you may be hesitant to ask for help, thinking you've got it covered. Or you may be ready to ask for help, but you don't know-how. Either way, it’s important to ask for help from family and friends. There may not be many people to ask, but if there is just one person in your life who can help with something as simple as picking up groceries or medication from the pharmacy, that can be a great help.
Join a Caregiver Support Group
There are support groups for caregivers of people with paralysis that can be found at hospitals across the country, as well as many online on Facebook. These support groups can be been instrumental in many caregivers' lives. They show you're not alone and help you find friends who can understand. You can also get great tips from others at the meetings that you would never get from any doctor or nurse.
Hire Multiple Caregivers
If you have health insurance, consider hiring additional caregivers if you are the only one currently doing the cares. If there is already more than you as a caregiver, think about hiring one more person to add to the team. There's always someone out there looking for a very part-time job. For example, some caregivers work Sunday mornings only. This could take a big load off of a family to have that morning off.
Have Fun (and not Yearly)
Taking on the role of the caregiver does not mean you should stop enjoying life. Get out of the house and do something you love to do, like taking a dog for a walk or going to your favorite store. If you love the movies, make a point to go at least once a month. Find at least one thing and spoil yourself regularly. As long as you have the person you're caring for covered, it can be a great way to avoid caregiver burnout and to truly take care of yourself over the years as you continue to be the caregiver.
Have a Good Relationship with the Person You're Caring For
It is always a good idea to enjoy taking care of the person you're caring for. If they're a loved one but you're not getting along, talk about it. You never want to resent someone you're caring for. It is always best if you're friends, then caregiving can become an enjoyable activity.
Exercise
When you become an active caregiver your physical health inevitably will become second fiddle. Remember to exercise regularly. Even if it's just 20 minutes, it can help you feel less stressed and happier. It can be fun as well and a great way to meet other people if you join a class. Make sure to eat a healthy diet as well if you're working long hours to avoid getting sick.
Forge a Relationship with the Doctor
If the person you're caring for requires contacting the doctor often and you are the main caregiver, it can be a great idea to have a good relationship with their doctor. Being able to call their office to ensure the person you're caring for is getting what they need can be a huge stress reliever.
Invite People Over
If you find yourself in the home alone often while caregiving, try inviting friends and family over so you're not alone. This can be a fun way to make the environment more lively and to help you feel less alone while you do the care. Tea and coffee, or a quick video game session can be fun.
A caregiver is a hugely important person. Because of this, do not let you taking care of yourself fall to the wayside. We hope the advice above helps guide you in the years ahead so while you are the awesome caregiver that you are, you’re caring for yourself as well.
