Who Cares?

You know every medication, every ache, every pain, and every trigger like it is your own. You are their voice, their advocate, their companion, their personal assistant. You may even have the GP on speed dial. Whether or not you chose this path, you are a carer.

Becoming a carer is not always a formal job. Everyday, family members are taking over responsibilities to keep their loved ones safe. CarersUK claims that 3 out of 5 people will become a carer at some point in their life. Whether it is a daily phone call to check in, preparing microwave meals, chauffeuring to doctor’s appointments, assisting them into the bath, or taking on all aspects of personal care; becoming a carer can be a stressful transition.

With a speculated 1.4 million people providing more than 50 hours of unpaid care every week, carer burnout is a serious reality. Trying to juggle a job, your own family, and the care of someone else is nearly impossible without something falling to the wayside. Becoming a carer can affect your finances, health, work responsibilities, home life, social life, and even strain your relationship with your loved one. It is important to remember that you cannot take care of someone else, without taking care of yourself first. You are someone’s life line, and you must be at a 100% in order to provide any effective care.

The first thing to recognize is that you do not have to do it alone. There are options to decrease the strain that being a carer may have on your life. Below are 10 tips for moving forward, and not only taking care of your loved one, but taking care of yourself as well!

1. Look into day programs to give you some ‘me’ time! Alternatively, ask a neighbour or friend to sit in for an hour or two.
2. Consider meals on wheels or online grocery delivery to free up some time.
3. Consider a pendant alarm for you loved one to give you a little piece of mind.
4. Never miss a check up or doctor’s appointment for yourself. You can’t help anyone unless you help yourself first!
5. Sleep! Even if it means taking a nap at the same time as your loved one.
6. Talk about it! Look into local carer support groups for help.
7. Stick to a routine. Routine will give you and your loved one a sense of security and control.
8. Ask for help. This might mean delegating some tasks to your family members, or speaking with your GP about social services entitlement.
9. Contact your local borough for a carer assessment. You are entitled to one!
10. Schedule an occupational therapy assessment either privately, or through your GP. Occupational therapists can not only provide training and tips for carers, but they can also optimize your loved one’s independence with training, compensatory techniques, and adaptive equipment.