Rest and Renewal Tips for Caregivers

Cargiving is not only hard work, it's sacred work and caregivers need to get their share of rest to renew their energy.  Here are some tips to help you find additional rest and renew your energy.

Hire a non-medical home care assistant for occasional events or on a regular basis.

Arrange for other family members or friends to provide care.

Consider a nursing home or assisted living facility for planned vacations. Call ahead to make sure you have the time to complete the paperwork and assessment.

Consider an adult day center to provide care during the day.Often transportation can be arranged.

Ask a trusted family member or friend to take on some responsibility regularly, such as paying bills, taking your loved one for a daily walk, giving a bath and shampoo or even running errands such as grocery shopping or preparing a meal.

Change your expectations, being a caregiver is your priority, not housework. Instead of doing chores every week, it may be a little less often.

Plan some time in your day for yourself - perhaps it's a long bath, or talking to a friend or reading a book, do something you enjoy that is just for you!

Join a support group - either a local group or an online group. Just talking to someone who understands can offer you additional support and sometimes a new way to handle different situations.

Recognize that for some people, nursing homes or assisted living facilities are the best option.

Don't try to guess what your loved one needs - Ask.  Ask the doctors and nurses: What will my loved one need? What help is available in the community? 


Consult a social worker or case manager, especially to understand Medicare and Medicaid rules and what facilities and services might be available should you need them.

Get information from the relevant national organizations. All kinds of good information is posted on the Internet, and a librarian can help you get it if you don't have access. Some groups also have toll-free phone numbers.

Do some research, either in the library or on the Internet. Try to become something of an expert on the particular illnesses affecting your loved ones.

There is help out there — don't do it all alone.