Posted on November 1, 2017
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: November Is National Family Caregivers Month 
While we’re doing everything we can to take care of our loved ones, it’s important to not forget about ourselves. As we all know, caregiving — or “care partnering” — requires so much of ourselves, demands so much energy, emotional strength and even new skill sets (including sometimes superhuman time management) that it’s easy to get lost in the cycle. It couldn’t be more important then to keep our heads up and do what we can to stay sound and supported, no matter how hard our care partnering roles may be.
Here are some ways to stay healthy and strong:
- Take Care of Your Body. Regular physical activity, meditation, healthy eating and sufficient amounts of sleep may all help you reduce your stress and keep your mind clear.
- Stay on Top of Your Medical Care. Skipping regularly scheduled preventative care, doctor visits or flu shots is almost never a good idea, even when you think it saves you more time!
- See Your Friends and Loved Ones. A strong social network can help you like nothing else. Reach out when you can and know that your friends and family are always there for you. If you need help, ask for it. If you don’t have time for a face-to-face visit, schedule a call.
- Ask for Help. Here at ADAO, we offer support and community to individuals going through the loss of a loved one to this horrible, earth-shattering cancer. We want to help you, and we hope you can Share Your Story, attend a conference or join us on Facebook.
And before you think that any of the above is selfish, please remember that “you have to take care of yourself before you can take care of anyone else.” Your health, like the health of your partner, is of utmost importance. It is your combined strength that will fight this burden together.
Finally, we must remember to all reflect on the caretakers in our lives, and appreciate their dedication and support. Thank you.
In unity,
Linda Reinstein