INTRODUCTION

Research studies confirm what anyone who 

has cared for a chronically ill or disabled 

relative or friend knows firsthand – such a 

labor of love can exact an enormous physical, 

emotional, social, and financial toll. All too 

often those who provide care to others neglect 

their own need for self-care. Taking care of 

oneself is essential if the best care is to be 

provided to another person. Caregivers must 

learn how to balance their own needs with the 

needs of someone who needs care. There is no 

single recipe for ensuring that one remains a 

healthy caregiver but the following basic 

ingredients appear central:

EDUCATE YOURSELF ABOUT THE DISEASE 

OR MEDICAL CONDITION

Whether you care for someone with heart 

disease, stroke or dementia or whether care 

takes place in your own home or at a distance, 

many of the daily challenges are similar. 

• Learn new information and skills and 

learn how to adapt to the challenges you 

encounter. 

• Get up-to-date and accurate information 

through books, fact sheets and brochures 

regarding your relative’s condition. 

• Contact the appropriate disease-related 

organization, that can guide you to other 

resources such as hospital-based 

education programs and support groups.

FIND A DOCTOR OR ANOTHER HEALTH 

PROFESSIONAL WHO UNDERSTANDS THE 

DISEASE

Armed with some knowledge, you are capable 

of asking the right questions of the patient’s 

doctor. 

• Make a short list of questions and assert 

that you need such questions answered 

before you leave. 

• Good doctors understand the impact of 

caregiving on you and should be willing 

to involve you in healthcare decisions 

that affect both your relative and you. 

CONSULT WITH OTHER EXPERTS

You may need additional professional help 

toplan for the future. For instance: 

• You may need legal authority to make 

healthcare and financial decisions on 

behalf of your relative. 

• A certified financial planner may help you 

prepare for the possibility of expensive 

care for your relative in an assisted living 

facility or other chronic-care facility. 

• Getting experts involved as soon as 

possible may save you a lot of worry later.

• If you are too busy to attend to this matter, 

make sure someone acts in your behalf to 

handle it.

TAP YOUR SOCIAL RESOURCES

Other family members and friends can play 

key roles in helping you to share in the care.

Taking Care of Yourself 
• Organize a family meeting so that 

everyone can get on the same page and 

find out what each person may or may 

not be able to offer. All potential sources 

of help need to be informed about the 

tasks at hand for both you and the relative 

in need of care.

• Make a plan with the family and then 

meet again a month later to evaluate 

progress.

• Organize a family meeting so that 

everyone can get on the same page and 

find out what each person may or may 

not be able to offer. All potential sources 

of help need to be informed about the 

tasks at hand for both you and the relative 

in need of care. 

• Make a plan with the family and then 

meet again a month later to evaluate 

progress.

TAKE TIME FOR RELAXATION AND 

EXERCISE

Let’s face it - helping another person can be 

hard work. 

• Set aside time every day from the work 

of caregiving or you risk losing yourself 

to the exclusive needs of another person. 

• Diversions are necessary in order to be 

renewed. Enjoy a hobby, see a movie, 

take a walk, ride a bike, or take part in 

any number of leisure time activities. 

You deserve a sense of normalcy. 

Something enjoyable should be built into 

every day, if even for just ten minutes, 

that reminds you that your needs are 

important, too. Take care of yourself in 

ways that are meaningful to you.

USE COMMUNITY RESOURCES

Unfortunately, most caregivers delay looking 

for help outside their social network until they 

are virtually exhausted. 

• Check the local Area Agency on Aging, 

which administers state and federal funds 

to help older chronically ill persons and 

their family caregivers. To find your 

local Area Agency on Aging, contact the 

Eldercare Locator (1-800-677-1116 or go 

to http://www.eldercare.gov)

• Other local agencies target the needs of 

younger disabled people and their 

families. Such agencies can help you get 

a well-deserved break by paying for 

occasional in-home services by someone 

to relieve you or providing adult day 

services for your relative.

MAINTAIN YOUR SENSE OF HUMOR

There is nothing funny about a chronic illness,

but being able to see humor in difficult 

situations can bring about much relief. 

• Taking a lighthearted view can alter the 

meaning of a situation that might 

otherwise appear overwhelmingly 

depressing. Jokes, comics and funny 

movies can fill the void if you cannot 

find something funny on your own.

EXPLORE RELIGIOUS BELIEFS AND 

SPIRITUAL VALUES

Caring for someone with a chronic illness 

often evokes questions about faith, hope, God 

and the meaning of life.

• Organized religion may offer a fresh 

perspective, but spirituality runs deeper 

than any particular tenet or belief system. 
• Individual and group prayer, rituals, 

meditation, inspirational reading and 

spiritual direction may shed light on 

matters of the soul. 

SET REALISTIC GOALS

Accustomed to doing things in a hurry, you 

may be surprised to find out how little you 

can accomplish when you are responsible for 

another person. 

• Be patient. Set small goals for yourself 

each day or week and build upon your 

successes instead of thinking about your 

failings. 

• Learn to appreciate that you are making 

progress in ensuring that both you and 

your loved one are getting the best 

possible care. Finally, celebrate your 

achievements.

For additional information, contact the 

National Family Caregiver Support Program, 

U.S. Administration on Aging. 

http://www.aoa.gov/AoARoot/AoA_Program

s/HCLTC/Caregiver/index.aspx 

Information provided in this fact sheet was 

adapted from materials submitted b Mather 

LifeWays Institute on Aging, Evanston, IL. 

For more information, visit their website

http://www.matherlifeways.com.

For more information about ACL

U.S. Department of Health and Human 

Services, Administration for Community 

Living, Washington DC 20201

Phone: (202) 619 – 0724

Fax: (202) 357 – 3555

Email: ACLinfo@acl.hhs.gov

Web: http://www.aoa.gov