Caring for someone else during a serious illness can take a lot out of you. The American Academy of Family Physicians says it's important to take care of yourself as you care for someone else.
The academy offers these suggestions:
- Get regular checkups with your own doctor.
- Eat a healthy, nutritious and balanced diet.
- Find time for plenty of sleep.
- Schedule time for 30 minutes to 60 minutes of exercise at least four days per week.
- Help manage stress with techniques such as meditation or deep breathing exercises.
- Take some time for yourself every once in a while.
Health Tip: How Caregivers Can Help
Caregivers can offer help and support to people who are no longer completely independent.
Womenshealth.gov suggests how a caregiver can provide assistance to people with dementia, cancer or another condition that limits the ability to perform basic daily tasks:
- Shopping for groceries.
- Preparing and serving meals.
- Cleaning the home and performing other chores.
- Making sure the bills are paid.
- Administering medications.
- Assisting with bathing, going to the bathroom and getting dressed.
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