Taking Time for Me

Family caregivers must often juggle their duties as parents, spouses, and employees while tending to the daily needs of a loved one who is elderly, chronically ill, or dying. As the rising cost of care forces many more people to respond to the needs of a family member, increasing numbers of primary care providers will become susceptible to anxiety, frustration, guilt, confusion, anger, emotional and physical fatigue, resentment, worry and depression, and other sources of pressure. Soon stress becomes an everyday occurrence that at times seems insurmountable. If those who care for the ill and the infirm are to remain effective, they must confront the reality of stress and their obligation, both to themselves and their loved ones, to take the time to find ways of relieving these pressures. In Taking Time for Me, Katherine L. Karr's insightful observations and suggestions - enhanced by compelling personal accounts of real care providers who are struggling with their own needs while tending to the needs of others - demonstrate that caregivers can overcome their personal conflicts and develop innovative ways of renewing their strength without jeopardizing the well-being of those who depend on them. From exercise regimens and support groups to recognizing the humor in everyday situations, this book can revitalize caregivers for the challenges ahead.