A caregiver's survival guide: Advice from people who've been there

2 weeks ago

An illustration of reside bubbles successful a starry acheronian sky, pinch images of group helping each different successful each of them.

If you're a caregiver for an sick aliases aged adult, you're not alone. Millions of others are correct location pinch you. They cognize really unsmooth it tin be, and they want to stock their wisdom.

When NPR asked caregivers to stock their stories, astir 600 responded pinch applicable advice, hair-raising stories and plentifulness of hard-won expertise. (Share your ain communicative here.)

As 1 put it: "Dear immoderate doesn't termination me, I'm beardown capable now. Thanks."

There are seasons successful caregiving — agelong stretches wherever things are comparatively unchangeable and phases of turmoil, erstwhile everything is happening astatine once. These suggestions tin thief you header done nan crises and nan quiet times.

Navigate nan pursuing chapters for camaraderie and wise words from group who cognize what you're going through.

Illustration of a female moving pinch documents while sparkling a flashlight done a acheronian abstraction filled pinch aesculapian pills, documents, and machine windows. A ample manus fills retired a shape successful a corner, while a telephone plays clasp music.

The aesculapian maze: How to thief your personification done it

One of nan first tasks big caregivers look is learning nan ropes of nan crazy U.S. wellness attraction system. You're apt becoming some a diligent advocator and a aesculapian coordinator — 2 jobs pinch steep learning curves. Here's what different caregivers person learned.

An illustration of a man pinch his limb astir an older woman. They look into nan distance, wherever a way leads up a precocious hill.

The caller normal: This isn't nan life I planned. How do I adjust?

Caregiving is now your caller normal. But afloat accepting and adjusting to this changed reality tin return a while. Often, it comes successful waves — periods of calm interrupted by chaotic turmoil. Here are tips for enduring these times.

Illustration of a group of group hugging each other. Their arms circle nan 2 group successful nan middle, making nan style of a flower.

Help! How to inquire for (and accept) support

The No. 1 portion of proposal from different caregivers: Get help, whether from a support group, a friend, different family, a therapist, your church, aliases each of nan above. Caregiving is excessively difficult and excessively isolating to do it connected your own. As 1 caregiver put it, astir group commencement nan occupation arsenic if it were a sprint and only slow recognize they're successful a marathon. Try these caregivers' tips for getting nan thief you need.

An illustration of a female sitting successful a fenced garden, putting up posts astir it.

Self-care: It's basal and it's not what you think

It's not spa days and yoga classes. Real self-care intends learning really to protect your intelligence and beingness wellness contempt nan crushing demands connected your time. Often, that starts pinch mounting boundaries and forgiving yourself. Explore what's worked for different caregivers.

An illustration of 2 group talking. Their reside bubbles overlap, creating thing new.

Your caller relationship: Dealing pinch a changing dynamic

You're nary longer conscionable a partner, spouse, genitor aliases child. Now, you're besides a caregiver, and that changes your narration pinch your loved 1 successful ways that tin beryllium difficult to observe and difficult to set to. These caregivers explicate really they navigated nan change.

Explore much resources

Taking connected a family caregiving domiciled tin beryllium overwhelming. Luckily location are organizations and resources retired location to springiness you a helping hand. Here are immoderate pointers and places to start.