Care for the Caregiver

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For the last 4 weeks I’ve been a caregiver to a close family member. The caregiving has included multiple hospital and pharmacy visits, home care, coordination with doctors and medical staff, housing management, transportation assistance, hugs, lengthy discussions, counseling, and sisterhood.

Yes, it's been a lot.

Fortunately, I’m not the only caregiver or family member who cares for this family member though.

Perhaps you too are a caregiver. If that’s so, I’m here to encourage you to care for you.

Why? Because taking care of those who are physically or mentally ill, disabled, or infirm is a big deal.

When somebody else is dependent on you to handle all or most of their daily needs and wants, you likely put your needs and desires on the back-burner. What you want, need, where you’d like to go, how you’d like to live, who you’d like to be can easily become secondary when you’re a caregiver.

Even when you’re happy to take care of that loved one, there may be times when you feel utterly exhausted, overwhelmed, and unsupported.

Here’s the thing, all caregivers need and deserve a respite, that is, we all need “a short period of rest or relief from something difficult or unpleasant.”

When caretakers give themselves a respite they’re practicing self-care.

Below are some ways caregivers can practice self-care:

  • Ask for help from family, friends, and organizations that provide help

  • Seek and take part in activities outside of caregiving to experience life outside the “bubble”

  • Rest, sleep, take naps, sit down, breathe deeply, get away, retreat, play, laugh

Ironically, the National Alliance of Mental Illness (NAMI) sponsored a “Rest for Caregivers” Instagram ad last week, arguably one of the most challenging weeks for me and the family member whom I care for. Although NAMI was speaking about their staff, it was also a call for family and friend caregivers to care for themselves so that those we care for can receive care from those who are whole.

Be well,

~ Kathy

A Retreat for Care-Givers:

For over six months, I’ve been waiting to invite people to a transformational destination retreat, “Adventure, Intimacy & Healing” in Bali May 18-25, 2022. It’s that time now! I specifically created this retreat for Black women care-givers and those who just need a break ! I’ve called on care-givers to get ready to retreat and enjoy something out of the norm.

This is an experience for you if you are a:

  • Caretaker and haven’t taken care of yourself

  • Overwhelmed worker who needs to lighten her load

  • Explorer looking for another mountain to climb

  • Spa Queen who loves to pamper and craves more

  • Soulful Sister looking for further connection with spirit and purpose

If you identify as a family or friend care-giver, I invite you to register to attend this retreat. If you aren’t, consider joining in on something special. There is limited availability so contact Wellside Retreats for the details or register here: invitation to Retreat

Kathy Hampton