Stress Busting Strategies for Caregivers is a culmination of what really works to help overcome the hurdles and difficulties faced by a Caregiver. My personal caregiving journey has seen me experience and successfully overcome many different obstacles. Putting them in place takes an understanding of the benefits of doing so and how to go about it. Caregivers want to know the person suggesting a strategy really does know how to implement it in their own lives in order to advise others how to implement it in theirs. 

When we find ourselves caring for a child with special needs, an invalid spouse, or an aging parent, we begin our journey with a blank canvas. Learning the skills to negotiate the as yet unseen obstacles as the years pass is a solid platform on which to begin that journey.  The sooner you put in place positive habits like knowing what records to ask for and how regularly they need to be updated, as well as the best sources of information, the sooner you will grow in your confidence and skills and relieve the stress that comes with not knowing where to turn.

The role of being a Carer responsible for the welfare of another brings with it personal obstacles which are often unseen by the carer themselves. Relationships with the people around you will change due to your added responsibilities and their uncertainty about how to support you. Learning how to negotiate this challenge from the outset will build stronger relationships with not only family and friends, but therapists, teachers and service providers.

Caring for the welfare of others, especially if it is a long term situation, can put us in the position of letting go of our personal goals and enjoyment of hobbies, sports and career goals. For many people years go by before they are in the position to think about their needs. Often their confidence has slipped and they settle for way less than they could achieve. This doesn’t have to happen. Instead you can grow as a person way beyond what you would have dreamed possible. As I look back on my own journey, even though I know life would have been so different if Rob had been born without his physical disability, I really do have to say that I am a more resilient person because of the things I have overcome.