Caring for myself

Caring for caregivers means recognizing the emotional, physical, and mental challenges faced by those who devote their time to supporting others. Caregivers often balance demanding responsibilities while putting the needs of family members, patients, or loved ones before their own. Without proper support, they can experience stress, exhaustion, and burnout. Providing caregivers with encouragement, access to resources, regular breaks, and emotional support is essential for their well-being. Simple acts such as listening, offering assistance, or ensuring they have time for rest can make a significant difference. When caregivers are cared for, they are better able to provide compassionate and effective support to the people who depend on them.
I lean into my connections, having a support system of family and friends to provide an emotional "safety net" that makes the more difficult days more manageable.
Mom of a special needs boy, age 11

Ways to take care of yourself

Don't nosh on the birds i will be pet i will be pet and then i will hiss. Walk on a keyboard. Please stop looking at your phone and pet me purr like an angel. Whenever a door is opened, rush in before the human stare at wall turn and meow stare at wall some more meow again

1. Cat ipsum dolor sit amet

steal the warm chair right after you get up i like frogs and 0 gravity.

2. Kitty run to human

  • frenzied attack on poor innocent mouse
  • don't i look cute?
  • ask for petting

i is playing on your console hooman to pet a cat, rub its belly, endure blood and agony, quietly weep, keep rubbing belly. 

3. Fall over dead (not really but gets sypathy)

 the dog smells bad. Ears back wide eyed. Wake up human for food at 4am purr like an angel that box? i can fit in that box. I bet my nine lives on you-oooo-ooo-hooo sleep over your phone and make cute snoring noises, eat half my food and ask for more.

4. Cat ipsum dolor sit amet

steal the warm chair right after you get up i like frogs and 0 gravity.

5. Kitty run to human

  • frenzied attack on poor innocent mouse
  • don't i look cute?
  • ask for petting

i is playing on your console hooman to pet a cat, rub its belly, endure blood and agony, quietly weep, keep rubbing belly. 

6. Fall over dead (not really but gets sypathy)

 the dog smells bad. Ears back wide eyed. Wake up human for food at 4am purr like an angel that box? i can fit in that box. I bet my nine lives on you-oooo-ooo-hooo sleep over your phone and make cute snoring noises, eat half my food and ask for more.

Here is additional info

This is a helpful tip or some bit of extra knowledge relating to this section

Types of services that can help you: 

Care consultations

Meetings with trained professionals to:

  • Navigate caregiving decisions and family issues
  • Assess current needs and anticipate future care challenges
  • Identify caregiver resources
  • Develop an effective care plan
  • Assist with problem-solving
  • Receive supportive listening in a confidential, nonjudgmental environment

Care consultations can be provided without a fee by any of the national dementia organizations through their helplines (see national websites and helplines list below). In addition, your local Area Agency on Aging can either provide a care consultation or help to direct you to a nearby organization for one. Finally, the Division of Aging & Adult Services provides in-person, virtual, or telephone care consultations through our partnership with the organizations listed below. You can self-refer for these free meetings; no need to get a referral from your healthcare provider.

Care consultations

Meetings with trained professionals to:

  • Navigate caregiving decisions and family issues
  • Assess current needs and anticipate future care challenges
  • Identify caregiver resources
  • Develop an effective care plan
  • Assist with problem-solving
  • Receive supportive listening in a confidential, nonjudgmental environment

Care consultations can be provided without a fee by any of the national dementia organizations through their helplines (see national websites and helplines list below). In addition, your local Area Agency on Aging can either provide a care consultation or help to direct you to a nearby organization for one. Finally, the Division of Aging & Adult Services provides in-person, virtual, or telephone care consultations through our partnership with the organizations listed below. You can self-refer for these free meetings; no need to get a referral from your healthcare provider.

Education programs

As dementia progresses, additional knowledge and skills are needed to best support the person living with dementia. Dementia caregiving is complex; getting help to navigate the changes and challenges will benefit everyone involved. Education programs help you understand dementia, manage challenges, plan for the future, and learn about resources available to you.  For more information about in-person or virtual classes in your area, contact your local Area Agency on Aging or see below for online, national education.
Free online education options:

In-home care services

blah blah blah

Support group meetings

Gatherings with people who share common experiences or concerns and provide each other with encouragement and advice. Being a caregiver can be a rewarding experience; it can also be a challenge. It helps to connect with people who understand what you are going through. Support groups provide opportunities to receive validation, support, and empathy, as well as learn tips from the experiences of others.

Respite

This is short-term relief for caregivers. Many caregivers find respite to be an affordable option to give themselves a break and help keep the person living with dementia at home for as long as possible. Caregiving can be stressful, overwhelming, and cause fatigue, anxiety, or depression. Reduce your risk of burnout by utilizing respite care, joining a support group, or speaking with a mental health professional. Respite can look many different ways:

In-home:

  • A friend/family member visiting can allow you the opportunity to step away and take some time for yourself.
  • Organizations such as personal care agencies can be hired to provide social visits, help with everyday jobs such as light housekeeping and meal prep, or help with care tasks such as bathing. These organizations can provide you with a few hours or up to 24/7 support.

Out-of-home:

  • The person with dementia can spend a few hours to a few days a week (not overnight) at an adult day center (see adult day services below).
  • They can stay overnight or multiple days/nights at an assisted living community or nursing home.

There are fees to use these services, and sometimes benefits such as long-term care insurance or Aid and Attendance through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) may help with the cost. The National Family Caregiver Support Program (implemented by Utah’s Area Agencies on Aging) and the VA’s Caregiver Support Program also offer respite care to eligible caregivers (see national websites and helplines list below for both programs). 

Here are some organizations that also offer free respite (upon meeting qualifications):


Adult day services: Services in which older adults, adults living with dementia, or adults living with disabilities receive individualized therapeutic, social, and/or health services for some part of the day. In Utah, most adult day services occur at adult day centers, which are freestanding buildings operated strictly for this purpose. Additionally, some assisted living communities or nursing homes offer adult day services at their community where people will visit for all or part of the day and are integrated into the day’s activities and routine along with the people who live there.

Benefits:

For people living with dementia, using adult day services can include benefits such as:

  • Socialization
  • Physical activity
  • Cognitive stimulation
  • Creative expression
  • Building new friendships
  • Safe environment

These benefits have shown to reduce falls, improve quality of sleep, and bolster self-esteem.

For caregivers, adult day services can:

  • Help lower stress
  • Offer you a break (respite)
  • Reduce risk of burnout
  • Allow you to continue working
  • Provide peace of mind

There are fees to use these services. Medicaid, respite grants, and benefits such as long-term care insurance or Aid and Attendance through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) may help with the cost.

Adult day centers in Utah:

Cry louder at reflection cough furball into food bowl then scratch owner for a new one. Chirp at birds. Eat fish on floor purrr purr littel cat, little cat purr purr leave buried treasure in the sandbox for the toddlers.
Point to be made: Rub against owner because nose is wet lie on your belly and purr when you are asleep. Taco cat backwards spells taco cat hiss at vacuum cleaner or cat is love.
Point to be made: Rub against owner because nose is wet lie on your belly and purr when you are asleep. Taco cat backwards spells taco cat hiss at vacuum cleaner or cat is love.
Point to be made: Rub against owner because nose is wet lie on your belly and purr when you are asleep. Taco cat backwards spells taco cat hiss at vacuum cleaner or cat is love.
Point to be made: Rub against owner because nose is wet lie on your belly and purr when you are asleep. Taco cat backwards spells taco cat hiss at vacuum cleaner or cat is love.
Point to be made: Rub against owner because nose is wet lie on your belly and purr when you are asleep. Taco cat backwards spells taco cat hiss at vacuum cleaner or cat is love.
Point to be made: Rub against owner because nose is wet lie on your belly and purr when you are asleep. Taco cat backwards spells taco cat hiss at vacuum cleaner or cat is love.
This is a helpful tip or some bit of extra knowledge relating to this section

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