Caregivers are special people, and give of themselves to take care of their family members and others. Being a caregiver can be demanding and trying but during this time of COVID-19, it can be especially stressful. A hospitalized family member can add additional guilt and worry to a stressful situation.

Caregivers can be so dedicated when providing care for their loved ones, that they forget they have needs to be addressed. Outings with friends and family are essential and wonderful therapy, but during these times COVID-19 has caused an extra burden on everyone. Remember social distancing and use a mask to protect yourself and others.

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The role of a caregiver can be fulfilling as well as taxing. It is normal to feel overwhelmed, unappreciated, frustrated, and guilty at times. Joining a caregiver’s support group can be helpful and reduce the loneliness one may feel as a caregiver.

Taking Care of Yourself: Tips for Caregivers

Taking care of yourself is one of the most important things you can do as a caregiver. Make sure you’re eating healthy, being active, and taking time for yourself. Caregiving, especially from a distance, is likely to bring out many different emotions, both positive and negative. Feeling of frustration and angry with everyone, from the care recipient to the doctors, is a common experience. Anger could be a sign that they are overwhelmed or trying to do too much. If possible , they should give themselves a break: take a walk, talk with friends, get some sleep—try to do something for yourself. Retrieved from https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/caregiving

Care giving is not easy for anyone—not for the caregiver and not for the care recipient. There are sacrifices and adjustments for everyone, especially when you don’t live where the care is needed, it may be especially hard to feel that what you are doing is enough or important.

Although caregivers may not feel as physically exhausted and drained as the primary, hands-on caregiver, long-distance caregivers may still be worried and anxious. Sometimes, long-distance caregivers feel guilty about not being closer, not doing enough, not having enough time with the person, and perhaps even feeling jealous of those who do. Many long-distance caregivers also find that worrying about being able to afford to take time off from work, being away from family, or the cost of travel increases these frustrations. Remember that you are doing the best you can given the circumstances and that you can only do what you can do. It may help to know that these are feelings shared by many other long-distance caregivers—you are not alone in this. Retrieved from https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/caregiving.

Learn about sharing caregiving responsibilities with friends and family.

For More Information About Caregiver Health Contact

Family Caregiver Alliance
800-445-8106 (toll-free)
info@caregiver.org
www.caregiver.org