[fusion_builder_container hundred_percent="no" hundred_percent_height="no" hundred_percent_height_scroll="no" hundred_percent_height_center_content="yes" equal_height_columns="no" menu_anchor="" hide_on_mobile="small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility" class="" id="" background_color="" background_image="" background_position="center center" background_repeat="no-repeat" fade="no" background_parallax="none" enable_mobile="no" parallax_speed="0.3" video_mp4="" video_webm="" video_ogv="" video_url="" video_aspect_ratio="16:9" video_loop="yes" video_mute="yes" video_preview_image="" border_size="" border_color="" border_style="solid" margin_top="" margin_bottom="" padding_top="" padding_right="" padding_bottom="" padding_left=""][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type="1_1" layout="1_1" spacing="" center_content="no" link="" target="_self" min_height="" hide_on_mobile="small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility" class="" id="" background_color="" background_image="" background_position="left top" background_repeat="no-repeat" hover_type="none" border_size="0" border_color="" border_style="solid" border_position="all" padding_top="" padding_right="" padding_bottom="" padding_left="" margin_top="" margin_bottom="" animation_type="" animation_direction="left" animation_speed="0.3" animation_offset="" last="no"][fusion_title hide_on_mobile="small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility" class="" id="" content_align="left" size="1" font_size="" line_height="" letter_spacing="" margin_top="" margin_bottom="" text_color="" style_type="none" sep_color=""] How to Ask For Help [/fusion_title][fusion_text columns="" column_min_width="" column_spacing="" rule_style="default" rule_size="" rule_color="" hide_on_mobile="small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility" class="" id=""] The idea of asking for help often feels impossible. But as caregivers, we naturally tend to take on other people's problems. Asking for help isn't a sign of weakness, it's a sign of strength. [/fusion_text][fusion_youtube id="4E0MEAJJkn8" alignment="center" width="" height="" autoplay="false" api_params="" hide_on_mobile="small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility" class="" css_id="" /][fusion_separator style_type="none" hide_on_mobile="small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility" class="" id="" sep_color="" top_margin="" bottom_margin="10" border_size="" icon="" icon_circle="" icon_circle_color="" width="" alignment="center" /][fusion_text columns="" column_min_width="" column_spacing="" rule_style="default" rule_size="" rule_color="" hide_on_mobile="small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility" class="" id=""] 1. Write a List of Tasks Write out things that need to be done on a reoccurring basis. Write down tasks and chores such as "picking up mom's prescription" or "grocery shopping" to more emotional needs such as "chatting with dad for a few hours." [/fusion_text][/fusion_builder_column][fusion_builder_column type="2_3" layout="2_3" spacing="" center_content="no" link="" target="_self" min_height="" hide_on_mobile="small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility" class="" id="" background_color="" background_image="" background_position="left top" background_repeat="no-repeat" hover_type="none" border_size="0" border_color="" border_style="solid" border_position="all" padding_top="" padding_right="" padding_bottom="" padding_left="" margin_top="" margin_bottom="" animation_type="" animation_direction="left" animation_speed="0.3" animation_offset="" last="no"][fusion_text columns="" column_min_width="" column_spacing="" rule_style="default" rule_size="" rule_color="" hide_on_mobile="small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility" class="" id=""] 2. Decide Who Can Help Now that you have your list, write out a list of people who may be willing to help you accomplish them. You’d be surprised at how many people sincerely meant it when they say, “let me know if you need anything”. It is your responsibility to follow through and hold them accountable to that promise. Family, friends, neighbors, write them all out. Then begin matching tasks to people based off of their skills. And don’t rule out your sister who lives four states over. Even something as her calling once a week to check up on your parents can help. [/fusion_text][/fusion_builder_column][fusion_builder_column type="1_3" layout="1_3" spacing="" center_content="no" link="" target="_self" min_height="" hide_on_mobile="small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility" class="" id="" background_color="" background_image="" background_position="left top" background_repeat="no-repeat" hover_type="none" border_size="0" border_color="" border_style="solid" border_position="all" padding_top="" padding_right="" padding_bottom="" padding_left="" margin_top="" margin_bottom="" animation_type="" animation_direction="left" animation_speed="0.3" animation_offset="" last="no"][fusion_imageframe image_id="2006" max_width="" style_type="none" stylecolor="" hover_type="none" bordersize="" bordercolor="" borderradius="" align="none" lightbox="no" gallery_id="" lightbox_image="" alt="" link="https://thedevoteddaughter.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Master_Task_List_DD-ilovepdf-compressed-1.pdf" linktarget="_blank" hide_on_mobile="small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility" class="" id="" animation_type="" animation_direction="left" animation_speed="0.3" animation_offset=""]https://thedevoteddaughter.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Untitled-7.jpg[/fusion_imageframe][/fusion_builder_column][fusion_builder_column type="1_1" layout="1_1" spacing="" center_content="no" link="" target="_self" min_height="" hide_on_mobile="small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility" class="" id="" background_color="" background_image="" background_image_id="" background_position="left top" background_repeat="no-repeat" hover_type="none" border_size="0" border_color="" border_style="solid" border_position="all" padding_top="" padding_right="" padding_bottom="" padding_left="" margin_top="" margin_bottom="" animation_type="" animation_direction="left" animation_speed="0.3" animation_offset="" last="no"][fusion_text columns="" column_min_width="" column_spacing="" rule_style="default" rule_size="" rule_color="" hide_on_mobile="small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility" class="" id=""] 3. Ask Asking can be awkward, it can bring up those feelings of vulnerability you shoved deep down. But don’t be afraid, remember, your friends are your friends for a reason. If roles were reversed, would you do the same for them? Of course! People who offer to help typically want to, but unless you give them a direction or task, how do you expect them to follow through? [/fusion_text][/fusion_builder_column][fusion_builder_column type="1_3" layout="1_3" spacing="" center_content="no" link="" target="_self" min_height="" hide_on_mobile="small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility" class="" id="" background_color="" background_image="" background_position="left top" background_repeat="no-repeat" hover_type="none" border_size="0" border_color="" border_style="solid" border_position="all" padding_top="" padding_right="" padding_bottom="" padding_left="" margin_top="" margin_bottom="" animation_type="" animation_direction="left" animation_speed="0.3" animation_offset="" last="no"][fusion_imageframe image_id="2007" max_width="" style_type="none" stylecolor="" hover_type="none" bordersize="" bordercolor="" borderradius="" align="none" lightbox="no" gallery_id="" lightbox_image="" alt="" link="http://www.instagram.com/thedevoteddaughter" linktarget="_blank" hide_on_mobile="small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility" class="" id="" animation_type="" animation_direction="left" animation_speed="0.3" animation_offset=""]https://thedevoteddaughter.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/WEAK.jpg[/fusion_imageframe][/fusion_builder_column][fusion_builder_column type="2_3" layout="2_3" spacing="" center_content="no" link="" target="_self" min_height="" hide_on_mobile="small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility" class="" id="" background_color="" background_image="" background_position="left top" background_repeat="no-repeat" hover_type="none" border_size="0" border_color="" border_style="solid" border_position="all" padding_top="" padding_right="" padding_bottom="" padding_left="" margin_top="" margin_bottom="" animation_type="" animation_direction="left" animation_speed="0.3" animation_offset="" last="no"][fusion_text columns="" column_min_width="" column_spacing="" rule_style="default" rule_size="" rule_color="" hide_on_mobile="small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility" class="" id=""] 4. Accept At this point you may feel so exhausted you don’t care if the dog walks himself. But sometimes even after you’ve asked, it’s hard to accept help. Remember that vulnerability isn’t the same thing as weakness. Admitting and accepting that you need help is often the stronger thing to do. Giving is a gift people want to give, so instead of shying away from help, accept it and try and pay it forward. Read Maintaining Your Relationship > [/fusion_text][/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]

[fusion_builder_container hundred_percent="no" hundred_percent_height="no" hundred_percent_height_scroll="no" hundred_percent_height_center_content="yes" equal_height_columns="no" menu_anchor="" hide_on_mobile="small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility" class="" id="" background_color="" background_image="" background_position="center center" background_repeat="no-repeat" fade="no" background_parallax="none" enable_mobile="no" parallax_speed="0.3" video_mp4="" video_webm="" video_ogv="" video_url="" video_aspect_ratio="16:9" video_loop="yes" video_mute="yes" video_preview_image="" border_size="" border_color="" border_style="solid" margin_top="" margin_bottom="" padding_top="" padding_right="" padding_bottom="" padding_left=""][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type="1_1" layout="1_1" spacing="" center_content="no" link="" target="_self" min_height="" hide_on_mobile="small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility" class="" id="" background_color="" background_image="" background_position="left top" background_repeat="no-repeat" hover_type="none" border_size="0" border_color="" border_style="solid" border_position="all" padding_top="" padding_right="" padding_bottom="" padding_left="" margin_top="" margin_bottom="" animation_type="" animation_direction="left" animation_speed="0.3" animation_offset="" last="no"][fusion_title hide_on_mobile="small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility" class="" id="" content_align="left" size="1" font_size="" line_height="" letter_spacing="" margin_top="" margin_bottom="" text_color="" style_type="none" sep_color=""] Preventing Caregiver Burnout [/fusion_title][fusion_text columns="" column_min_width="" column_spacing="" rule_style="default" rule_size="" rule_color="" hide_on_mobile="small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility" class="" id=""] You may be thinking "Self-care? Sure, I'll add it to my to-do list of 9,400 other things to get done today." But it's vital you take time for yourself, you can't pour from an empty cup. [/fusion_text][fusion_youtube id="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-7eytaQo4oI" alignment="center" width="" height="" autoplay="false" api_params="" hide_on_mobile="small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility" class="" /][/fusion_builder_column][fusion_builder_column type="2_3" layout="2_3" spacing="" center_content="no" link="" target="_self" min_height="" hide_on_mobile="small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility" class="" id="" background_color="" background_image="" background_position="left top" background_repeat="no-repeat" hover_type="none" border_size="0" border_color="" border_style="solid" border_position="all" padding_top="" padding_right="" padding_bottom="" padding_left="" margin_top="" margin_bottom="" animation_type="" animation_direction="left" animation_speed="0.3" animation_offset="" last="no"][fusion_title margin_top="" margin_bottom="15" hide_on_mobile="small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility" class="" id="" size="1" content_align="left" style_type="none" sep_color=""] Small Steps [/fusion_title][fusion_text columns="" column_min_width="" column_spacing="" rule_style="default" rule_size="" rule_color="" hide_on_mobile="small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility" class="" id=""] I get it, focusing on personal care is a luxury you can't afford. But you need to stop thinking about personal care as a luxury and start thinking about it as a necessity. If you don't take care of yourself, you will end up burning out. Start with baby steps. Take five minutes a day to sit in silence. Go outside, have a coffee, lock yourself in the bathroom, just take five minutes to calm yourself. [/fusion_text][fusion_title margin_top="" margin_bottom="" hide_on_mobile="small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility" class="" id="" size="4" content_align="left" style_type="none" sep_color=""] Start by making small changes that will turn into lifelong habits. [/fusion_title][/fusion_builder_column][fusion_builder_column type="1_3" layout="1_3" spacing="" center_content="no" link="" target="_self" min_height="" hide_on_mobile="small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility" class="" id="" background_color="" background_image="" background_position="left top" background_repeat="no-repeat" hover_type="none" border_size="0" border_color="" border_style="solid" border_position="all" padding_top="" padding_right="" padding_bottom="" padding_left="" margin_top="" margin_bottom="" animation_type="" animation_direction="left" animation_speed="0.3" animation_offset="" last="no"][fusion_imageframe image_id="2018" max_width="" style_type="none" stylecolor="" hover_type="none" bordersize="" bordercolor="" borderradius="" align="none" lightbox="no" gallery_id="" lightbox_image="" alt="" link="" linktarget="_self" hide_on_mobile="small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility" class="" id="" animation_type="" animation_direction="left" animation_speed="0.3" animation_offset=""]https://thedevoteddaughter.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Necessity.jpg[/fusion_imageframe][/fusion_builder_column][fusion_builder_column type="1_3" layout="1_4" spacing="" center_content="no" link="" target="_self" min_height="" hide_on_mobile="small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility" class="" id="" background_color="" background_image="" background_position="left top" background_repeat="no-repeat" hover_type="none" border_size="0" border_color="" border_style="solid" border_position="all" padding_top="" padding_right="" padding_bottom="" padding_left="" margin_top="" margin_bottom="" animation_type="" animation_direction="left" animation_speed="0.3" animation_offset="" last="no"][fusion_imageframe image_id="2022" max_width="" style_type="none" stylecolor="" hover_type="none" bordersize="" bordercolor="" borderradius="" align="none" lightbox="no" gallery_id="" lightbox_image="" alt="" link="" linktarget="_self" hide_on_mobile="small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility" class="" id="" animation_type="" animation_direction="left" animation_speed="0.3" animation_offset=""]https://thedevoteddaughter.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/SelfCare.jpg[/fusion_imageframe][/fusion_builder_column][fusion_builder_column type="2_3" layout="3_4" spacing="" center_content="no" link="" target="_self" min_height="" hide_on_mobile="small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility" class="" id="" background_color="" background_image="" background_position="left top" background_repeat="no-repeat" hover_type="none" border_size="0" border_color="" border_style="solid" border_position="all" padding_top="" padding_right="" padding_bottom="" padding_left="" margin_top="" margin_bottom="" animation_type="" animation_direction="left" animation_speed="0.3" animation_offset="" last="no"][fusion_text columns="" column_min_width="" column_spacing="" rule_style="default" rule_size="" rule_color="" hide_on_mobile="small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility" class="" id=""] This may require you to let go of some control, so take your time easing in. But ideally, this five minutes outside will turn into a thirty-minute walk around the block. Grabbing a coffee could turn into a bite with a friend. Take an hour in the tub instead of those five minutes. You don't go from no exercise to working out 6 days a week overnight. [/fusion_text][fusion_title margin_top="" margin_bottom="15" hide_on_mobile="small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility" class="" id="" size="1" content_align="left" style_type="none" sep_color=""] Don't Lose Your Identity [/fusion_title][fusion_text columns="" column_min_width="" column_spacing="" rule_style="default" rule_size="" rule_color="" class="" id=""] Caregiving takes so much out of a person, it can become your entire life. Don't allow this to happen. While not all of these may be appropriate or even feasible for you, consider: Setting clear boundaries Don't do this alone Find a support group Keeping your day job Give yourself permission to take breaks Find clear ways to communicate Find community or professional support options [/fusion_text][fusion_title hide_on_mobile="small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility" class="" id="" content_align="left" size="4" font_size="" line_height="" letter_spacing="" margin_top="" margin_bottom="15" text_color="" style_type="none" sep_color=""] " Three out of four caregivers either do not work or had to change their work situation because of caregiving " [/fusion_title][fusion_text columns="" column_min_width="" column_spacing="" rule_style="default" rule_size="" rule_color="" hide_on_mobile="small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility" class="" id=""] When you're so focused on caring for someone else, it's easy to lose yourself in the process. Make sure you're taking time to do things for you, outside of caregiving. If this means you need help, take advantage of respite care. This could be professionally, or just asking friends and family. Read our next post, How to Ask for Help. [/fusion_text][/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]