Survival Tips for Carers - Carers Week 13-19 June 2011

It's Carers Week between 13 - 19 June 2011 and an opportunity to recognise the great work which is done by our country's six million carers.  Many carers give up employment, income and pension rights to take on their caring role. It can be a 24-hour exhausting responsibility  with little practical or financial help.  Most carers are also so concerned about the welfare of the person (or sometimes "persons"!) that they look after that they forget to look after themselves leading to exhaustion, ill health, anxiety, depression and permanent disabilty for themselves as well.    If you are a carer who has not had a holiday or a break for as long as you have been caring, and recognise any of the above then you are probably a victim of what is known as "carer burnout".

There are a few simple steps which you can take to avoid carer burnout and keep you fit and able to continue to care effectively:
1.  Eat properly and regularly.  If you don't feel much like eating it's easy to just rely on sugary snacks boost your sugar levels.  However you need good nutrition to give you the energy to help you cope with the physical and emotional challenges of looking after someone else full time. So even if you don't feel like it, cook good healthy meals for yourself and eat regular meals every day.

2. Get enough sleep and excercise.  Easier said than done I know! However this is really important for your good health.  If you are having disturbed nights you will feel tired and irratable the next day and this can have a negative impact on your well-being. Similarly lack of excercise can make you lethargic and prone to depression.  Try to find someone either within the family or amongst neighbours and friends to look after the person you care for for short breaks so you can catch up on sleep and try to get out and have a walk or walk the dog if you have one.

3. Make time for YOU.  Try and keep up with your own friends and hobbies.  Even though it may mean miltary style organisation, there are the ways and means to get out and have a break - have your hair done, catch up with an old friend for lunch, see a film, go window shopping, go to the library - there are lots of ways to take short  breaks from your caring role and it's important for your own well being and self esteem that you do so.

4. Have a laugh once a day.  This may seem odd but laughter is really the best medicine. Connnect with people who have a good sense of humour and will support you positively.  If you don't know anyone locally and have access to the internet there are a number of  carer chat rooms where you can find people in similar situations to yourself and it can be enormously refreshing to be able to talk to someone who knows what you are going through. 

5. Get Help! Join your local carers group if you have one locally. You will find them a great help in negotiating the social care system and getting practical help. Try not to take on more control and responsibility than you need too. Family and friends are often very happy to help out - if they are asked!  Remember that you are only human and can only do so much.  Seeking help doesn't mean that you are a failure.  On the contrary,  a little support for your own health and well being will keep you able to care effectively for longer.  And that has got to be good for the person you look after.

SureCare can help you if you need  help with taking a break and supporting your caring role.  You can find out more about SureCare at http://www.surecarewarks.co.uk/