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Healthy Mind, Healthy Life
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November is National Family Caregivers Month!
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“Community”
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Caregiver: “Caregivers are guardians, helpers, comforters, healers, and heroes. We understand the internal reasons why it might feel hard to call yourself a caregiver, caregivers are the backbone of society. - yes, that means you!
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Credit: Mental Health America 
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We want to recognize and celebrate you - and the love and sacrifice you provide in this the vital role
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Caring for the Caregiver
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As a caregiver who is daily pouring into others; its important that you foster your own well being. How do you fill your tank?
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We created the Botes Quality of Life Tool especially for you. It helps you understand the 5 constructs pertaining to quality of life. This tool will enable you to identify your needs. You will learn practical ways to better attend to yourself.
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Take the self assessment:
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BQOL-self-scoring.pdf
133.44 KB • PDF File
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Download
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Once you complete the BQOL-T pay special attention to your areas of need. See our recommendations below to assist you:
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Recommendations for the Caregiver
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Physical Construct refers to the lack of sleep, energy and physical challenges you may face with your person.
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- Get adequate sleep - 7-9 hours a night. Try to stick to a consistent sleep schedule and refrain from screen time 2 hours before bed. Establish a bedtime routine, for example: Use soothing sounds, warm bath, etc. as is conducive to sleep.
- Hydrate well - ½ of your body weight in ounces daily to increase energy and mental acuity.
- Attend to your health and get physical exercise to help maintain strength.
- Use adaptive equipment to help care for your person or elicit physical help - be specific when requesting assistance from family, friends and paid services.
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Safety Construct refers to a fear for your own safety as well as fear for the safety of your loved one.
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- Ask yourself these questions: (Who/When/Why/How)
· Who can I depend on? How can I ask for help or how can they help me? When do I need help? Why do I need help or with what?
- Learn how to use technology ensure safety for both you and your loved one.
- Keep learning, for example: approaches to difficult behaviors. We offer free Webinars and a monthly “Round Table” support group through our website: BotesMemoryMethod.com
- Gain health care surrogacy and POA status to help you make decisions.
- Explore the possibility of adult daycare.
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Social Construct refers to lacking support / resources and / or you do not have time for yourself and your interests.
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- Maintain a structured routine.
- Be intentional about maintaining relationships/celebrations/social connections.
- Schedule activities that include your person – plan on your calendar.
- Prioritize creating joy and connection daily on your calendar.
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Psychological Construct refers to negative emotions; feeling overwhelmed and / or experiencing a lack of joy.
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- Use methods to gain self- awareness, such as journaling. This will assist you in awareness of your emotional status and help you identify red flags such as feeling overwhelmed, depressed, lacking joy, or becoming overly tearful.
- Make stress management techniques a priority (breathing techniques or exercise)
- Schedule family meetings to discuss different challenges and create solutions that includes everyone for example: if someone can not help physically, they may be able to contribute money or a certain block of time each month or year to assist.
- Leverage the support of others – reach out.
- Your journey is just as valuable as the journey of your person
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Self-Expression Construct refers to a struggle with self-awareness of ones emotional capacity and personal needs.
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- Have realistic expectations of yourself.
- Explore hobbies and leisure activities that you once enjoyed and intentionally set plans and care assistance for you to enjoy them.
- Identify one or two things a day that you can do to for yourself in manageable blocks, for example:
- 20 min walk in the neighborhood while my neighbor keeps an eye on my loved one.
- 30 min of garden work while your loved one sits outside with you watching you.
- Have hot chocolate with my loved one, while listening to music in the evening getting ready for bed.
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The Importance of Maintaining your Quality of Life as a Family Caregiver Part1
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Don’t forget to subscribe to our YouTube channel!
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Subscribe to our YouTube channel
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Activity ideas that help you AND support your person:
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- Engage in physical exercise with your loved one.
- Model and complete deep breathing exercises together - in through the nose 4 seconds, blow slowly through the mouth 8 seconds.
- Have your person accompany you to meet a friend at a venue or in your home for dinner or coffee.
- Look at photo albums together
- Consider what parts of tasks your person can play an active role in, such as matching socks, folding towels, sorting silverware, wiping the table. (Perfection not required!)
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Care for yourself in order that you may continue to care for them.
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