We know that being a caregiver is one of the most demanding jobs with a wide range of emotions from sad to angry. Caring for a loved one with Parkinson's Disease (PD) can be an exhausting task, but there are ways to manage your stress while still providing the best care.
Here are a few of our favorite tips:
Remember your health – Caregivers often are so busy caring for others that they tend to neglect their own emotional, physical and spiritual health. If you aren't healthy, how can you provide care for someone else?
Take a break – We all need a break from time to time and it is perfectly acceptable to do so, even when you are caring for a loved one. Take a few minutes each day to relax, close your eyes, and focus on your breathing. This will help your body calm and provide some much needed rest.
Ask for help – One of the most important tips is to ask for help before you experience caregiver burnout. Caregiver burnout is a state of physical, emotional, and mental exhaustion. Burnout can occur when home care providers don't get the help they need or if they try to do more than they are able to do.
Taking a break or asking for health isn't always easy, but it is vital to be the best caregiver, family member, and person you can be.
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