16
Top Tips for Carers to Deal with Stress
by
Judy Esmond, Ph. D.
Results
of Action Research conducted during the National Respite Conference
in which a total of 180 delegates at the conference provided over
300 suggestions, tips and ideas for carers to deal with stress.
The Tips are categorised into three areas: The provision of services
and service providers themselves; Others involved in the life of
the carers; Carers themselves.
Service
Providers & Services
1. |
Recognition
of the importance of carers by the community and service providers |
|
2. |
The
provision of services from the day of diagnosis of the person
being cared for by the carer |
|
3. |
The
continuing need for services that can be flexible, available
and individualized to specific needs (e.g., funded support packages) |
|
4. |
The
provision of a 'one stop shop' rather than a maze of service
providers and services |
|
5. |
Providers
that really listen |
|
6. |
Providers
that can assist carers to identify their own needs - to help
prioritise and have these needs met |
|
7. |
Respite
should be a right, that carer has not failed and they deserve
it |
|
8. |
The
use of regular and planned respite - not just in crisis |
Others
|
9. |
Share
the burden with others when you can - friends, family, colleagues
|
|
10. |
Connect
with other carers - who know where you are coming from (e.g.,
carer support group) |
|
11. |
Try
to find time for partner, children and significant others |
|
12. |
Have
fun with others who care about you |
Me
- The Carers Themselves
|
13. |
Find
outlets - sport, job, craft group etc - including adult education
classes - wellness, computers, etc. ("This allows you to continue
to have space where you are recognized by others as an individual,
or as a contributor in another way")
|
|
14. |
Be
kind to yourself, take care of yourself and give yourself
permission to take care of yourself first! |
|
15. |
Say
no sometimes and do not feel guilty |
|
16. |
Acknowledge
your stress and let go of the 'brave face ethic' ("Sometimes
I would like to be acknowledged as a fragile person") |
|
