Jan 20, 2022
Healthiness In Your Hands
The neediness of an infirmed loved one frequently obscures a caregiver's fatigue, stress, and dangerous health patterns. Moreover, even if noticing the caregiver's exhaustion and strain, the warning signs can often go unheeded. Usually armed only with love and a sense of responsibility, caregivers recklessly deplete themselves physically and emotionally while caring for a vulnerable loved one. Passion and commitment are admirable, but how long can the patient "feel better" at the caregiver's expense?
When faced with chronic impairments, love and responsibility accomplish more when directed to the caregiver's well-being first. However, many caregivers postpone healthy physical, emotional, and even sound fiscal decisions for themselves while in the throes of caregiving. Since no one else, particularly a sick or medicated individual, can lead the efforts toward one's own healthiness, the responsibility of a healthy lifestyle remains solely in the caregiver's hands.
Addressing the caregiver's needs (not wants) isn't selfish. Quite the opposite – it helps ensure that the impaired loved one's care is in the hands of a healthier caregiver.
“…take responsibility for being the healthiest person you can be - no one else is going to do it for you.” – Dr. Mehmet Oz