The foundation of caregiving is self-care for the caregiver. Remember how airplane emergency procedures instruct you to put on your own oxygen mask first, before you help someone else with their mask? Caregiver self-care is like that. The idea is that you have to take care of yourself before you can take care of others. Making yourself your first priority isn't about selfishness - it's about survival.
Care for the CaregiverThis article was written for caregivers whose loved one has terminal cancer ... but it is excellent advice for caregivers whose loved one has Alzheimer's.
The Importance of Caregiver Self-Care
http://www.caringtotheend.ca/body.php...
Loneliness Is Bad for Your Health -- Here's What to DoGood for you if you exercise, watch your weight, and don't smoke -- but if you live in lonely solitude, your health may suffer anyway. Social isolation is increasingly seen as a health threat independ
http://www.caring.com/articles/loneliness-and-heal...
Taking Care of YOU: Self-Care for Family CaregiversFirst, Care for Yourself
On an airplane, an oxygen mask descends in front of you. What do you do? As we all know, the first rule is to put on your own oxygen mask before you assist anyone else. Onl
http://www.caregiver.org/caregiver/jsp/print_frien...
What the Caregiver NeedsCaring for someone with Alzheimer's disease impacts every aspect of daily life. As Alzheimer's patients lose one ability after another, caregivers face tests of stamina, problem-solving, and resilienc
http://helpguide.org/elder/alzheimers_disease_deme...
