Caregiver & Survivor Resources
Caregiver Bill of Rights
I have the right to take care of myself. This is not an act of selfishness. It will give me the ability to take better care of my loved one.
I have the right to seek help from others even though my loved one may object. I recognize the limits of my own endurance and strength.
I have the right to maintain facets of my own life that do not include the person I care for just as I would if he or she were healthy. I know that I do everything that I reasonably can do for this person and I have the right to do some things just for myself.
I have the right to get angry, be depressed, and express difficult feelings occasionally.
I have the right to reject any attempt by my loved one (either conscious or unconscious) to manipulate me through guilt or anger.
I have the right to receive consideration, affection, forgiveness, and acceptance for what I do for my loved one as I offer these attributes in return.
I have the right to take pride in what I am accomplishing and to applaud the courage it has taken to meet the needs of my loved one.
I have the right to protect my individuality and my right to make a life for myself that will sustain me in times when my loved one no longer needs my full-time help.
I have the right to expect and demand that as new strides are made in finding resources to aid physically and mentally impaired persons in our country, similar strides will be made toward aiding and supporting caregivers.
I have the right to seek help from others even though my loved one may object. I recognize the limits of my own endurance and strength.
I have the right to maintain facets of my own life that do not include the person I care for just as I would if he or she were healthy. I know that I do everything that I reasonably can do for this person and I have the right to do some things just for myself.
I have the right to get angry, be depressed, and express difficult feelings occasionally.
I have the right to reject any attempt by my loved one (either conscious or unconscious) to manipulate me through guilt or anger.
I have the right to receive consideration, affection, forgiveness, and acceptance for what I do for my loved one as I offer these attributes in return.
I have the right to take pride in what I am accomplishing and to applaud the courage it has taken to meet the needs of my loved one.
I have the right to protect my individuality and my right to make a life for myself that will sustain me in times when my loved one no longer needs my full-time help.
I have the right to expect and demand that as new strides are made in finding resources to aid physically and mentally impaired persons in our country, similar strides will be made toward aiding and supporting caregivers.
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Coping with Depression: Signs You Might be in Trouble
When caregivers take on the responsibility of caring for a loved one, we expect our lives to change. What is unexpected, and often goes unnoticed, is the forfeiting of our own well-being in order to become a primary caregiver.
Ask yourself the following questions. If you answer, “Yes,” to any of them, you need assistance. Support groups, your loved one’s social worker, your physician, counseling or therapeutic centers and a number of other community resources can help you in providing greater balance between your caregiving responsibilities and your well-being.
When caregivers take on the responsibility of caring for a loved one, we expect our lives to change. What is unexpected, and often goes unnoticed, is the forfeiting of our own well-being in order to become a primary caregiver.
Ask yourself the following questions. If you answer, “Yes,” to any of them, you need assistance. Support groups, your loved one’s social worker, your physician, counseling or therapeutic centers and a number of other community resources can help you in providing greater balance between your caregiving responsibilities and your well-being.
1. Have you stopped communicating with friends you had before you became a caregiver?
2. Do you lack time to participate in activities that make you feel good? 3. Is your caregiving role negatively affecting your personal relationships? 4. Have you failed to have a check-up lately or find you do not follow the doctor’s recommendation for you own health? Does your loved one need, but not have, a monitoring device? 5. Has your loved one become abusive towards you? |
6. Have you noticed you are becoming verbally, physically or emotionally abusive to your loved one?
7. Are you drinking or taking drugs to cope with stress or distress? 8. Has your sleeping pattern changed since becoming a caregiver? 9. Do you feel you are not getting enough sleep? 10. Do you refuse to let others assist you, or give your respite, for fear something will happen if you leave you loved one in another’s care? |