A Caregiver's Bill of Rights

[Guest guest]

I haven't seen this posted in awhile so thought I'd share it with

everyone. There are lots of great caregiving tips at

http://www.caregiver.com

Hugs,

Pam

A Caregiver's Bill of Rights

I have the right:

To take care of myself. This is not an act of

selfishness. It will give me the capability of taking better

care of my loved one.

To seek help from others even though my loved ones may

object. I recognize the limits of my own

endurance and strength.

To maintain facets of my own life that do not include

the person I care for, just as I would if he or she

were healthy. I know that I do everything that I

reasonably can for this person, and I have the right to

do some things just for myself.

To get angry, be depressed, and express other

difficult feelings occasionally.

To reject any attempts by my loved one (either

conscious or unconscious) to manipulate me through

guilt, and/or depression.

To receive consideration, affection, forgiveness, and

acceptance for what I do, from my loved ones, for

as long as I offer these qualities in return.

To take pride in what I am accomplishing and to

applaud the courage it has sometimes taken to meet

the needs of my loved one.

To protect my individuality and my right to make a

life for myself that will sustain me in the time when

my loved one no longer need my full-time help.

To expect and demand that as new strides are made in

finding resources to aid physically and mentally

impaired persons in our country, similar strides will

be made towards aiding and supporting caregivers.

- Modified by Today's Caregiver Magazine