Caregiver Tip #7: Surround yourself with loving and encouraging people
"Caregiving takes a village, but unfortunately, we are often doing it on our own. Who has time to nurture friendships when we are ever busy helping our loved ones cope? It’s draining. However, now, more than ever, it is important to reach out to friends and family and ask for what you need. Unless they have walked in your shoes, they probably don’t know how to best help.
Don’t be afraid to tell them. They will be grateful for the guidance – as, by nature, most of us want to ease one another’s burdens. What do you need most? Is it a word of encouragement, a sounding board, a respite while you run errands, perhaps some levity from a friend who makes you laugh? Surround yourself with loving and encouraging people and let them know how they can best support you. Don’t worry; you’ll return their kindness when they need it. That’s what friends do."
