Don’t forget to care for yourself. Here are a few tips:

When it comes to their health, caregivers are less likely than their peers to take steps to prevent or control chronic disease.

Taking care of your own health will help you to better care for your loved one longer.

• Be wise – immunize

• Influenza (flu) vaccine: The CDC recommends that caregivers of the elderly get one
  each year.
• Pneumococcal vaccination: For most caregivers, one will last a lifetime.
• Tetanus booster: Get one every ten years.

• Don’t neglect your health.

• Get a yearly check-up and the recommended cancer screenings (mammogram,
  cervical screening, etc.).
• Tell your doctor that you are a caregiver.
• Tell your doctor if you feel depressed or nervous.
  

• Take some time each day to do something for yourself. Read, listen to music, telephone friends, or exercise.

• Eat healthy foods and do not skip meals.

• Find caregiver resources in your area early. You may not need their information or services now, but you will have them, when you need them.

• Don’t be afraid to ask for help. And don’t do it all yourself. Use your family, friends, or neighbors for
support. Family may help share caregiving tasks. Friends and neighbors may help with other
chores.

Caregiving can take a toll on you! Research suggests that the physical and emotional demands on caregivers put them at greater risk for health problems:

• Caregivers are more at risk for infectious diseases, such as colds and flu, and chronic diseases, such
heart problems, diabetes, and cancer.

• Depression is twice as common among caregivers compared to noncaregivers.

To view this excellant article on caregiving, produced by the Administration on Aging, please click here: http://www.aoa.gov/prof/aoaprog/caregiver/overview/CaregiverTipSheet.pdf