Who Takes Care of the Caregiver  (Advance October 9, 2005)

 

The more you care for others, the less time you take care of yourself.  Caregivers provide an important service to those they care for.  But as a caregiver, are you running on empty?

“As long as you live, keep learning how to live!”  (Seneca)  How do you learn to live a balanced life?  You can begin by becoming more aware of the life you are already living.   Use the H.O.W. principles.  Honestly - be honest with yourself, do not pretend or deny.  Openly - be open in your communication with others and open to new ideas.  Willingly - be willing to do the work that is necessary to stay well.

What Does Wellness Mean?  RN Resource Development promotes that wellness means more than physical health. It is about balance in a number of areas of life. You are well when you have peace of mind with yourself, family and finances.  You are well when you have time to pursue what matters most in your life and when you can lend a hand to others.

As a caregiver what are you looking for?  Are you looking for:  More order and balance in your life;  more peace of mind, simplicity, joy, fulfillment, and a better quality of life with less confusion, stress, and financial pressure; a different process to accomplish life's desires.  Are you ready for change?

Six F’s of Wellness

Faith - Faith is the confident assurance that what we believe is going to happen.  Our belief system governs our lifestyle and choices - it is the foundation from which we form our opinions and make decisions.  Beliefs help us draw the map, but faith is what gets us into the action.

Family - Today’s families are often complicated, involving parents, stepchildren, ex-spouses, extended families, long distances and unresolved issues.  Without love and structure in our homes we suffer socially, mentally and intellectually.

Friends - Within every human being lies the need for fellowship or community, the need for affection and the need to be part of a group of like-minded people.  The encouragement we can receive from each other is often what it takes to get through a tough time.  Helping each other, gives us a feeling that we are making a difference to someone else’s life.

Fitness - Several different types of fitness are needed to keep our lives in balance.  Physical fitness is extremely important but so is mental and emotional fitness.  Fitness is a combination of strength, endurance, and flexibility.  To be fit we need balance between all three.

Finance - Money can mean security, love, power and/or freedom.  For some, money is a terrifying subject to talk about.

Fun - - Humour not only keeps you living longer but also let s you have a lot more fun while you are at it.  Laughter enhances respiration and circulation, oxygenates the blood, suppresses the stress-related hormones in the brain and activates the immune system.  It is also a powerful antidote for stress.  Laughter is indeed the best medicine.

Caregiver Meetings: