The Realities of Caregiver Self-Care: Four Essential Tips / Alzheimer’s and Other Dementias

When you’re caring for a family member with Alzheimer’s or other type of dementia, you’ve probably heard countless times: “Don’t forget to take care of yourself.” While well-intentioned, this advice can feel overwhelming when you’re already juggling multiple responsibilities! Through our conversation with Elizabeth Miller, we’ve learned that effective self-care is about more than just general advice — it’s about finding practical, sustainable ways to maintain your own wellbeing while caring for others. Connect with us and share your tips: Website: https://www.thecaregiversjourney.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecaregiversjourney/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheCaregiversJourneys/Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/suearmstrongryan/, https://www.linkedin.com/in/nancytreaster/Email: [email protected], [email protected] Full Show Notes https://thecaregiversjourney.com/the-realities-of-caregiver-self-care-four-essential-tips-alzheimers-and-other-dementias/ Additional Resources Mentioned Happy Healthy Caregiver website here  20 for 2025 Funsheet here Self-Care at Sea cruise here Happy Healthy Caregiver podcast here Just for You daily journal here Takeaways Tip 1: Give Yourself Permission One of the biggest barriers to self-care is the guilt that comes with taking time for yourself. Many caregivers feel it's selfish to focus on their own needs when their care recipient is struggling. Tip 2: Think Broadly About Self-Care Self-care encompasses much more than just physical health. Elizabeth identifies eight key categories: - Practical self-care (like organizing your desk) - Emotional self-care (therapy, journaling) - Social self-care (connecting with others) - Spiritual self-care (following your spiritual path) - Intellectual self-care (learning new things) - Financial self-care (budgeting, planning) - Professional self-care (career development) - Physical self-care (exercise, nutrition) Tip 3: Prioritize and Schedule Self-Care The best self-care strategy is simply putting it on your calendar. Elizabeth recommends creating a "20 for 25" list—twenty things you want to do this year that bring you joy, energy, or peace of mind. These can range from small activities like learning a new game to bigger plans like taking a vacation. Tip 4: Give Yourself Credit Instead of focusing solely on to-do lists, create a "ta-da" list celebrating what you're already doing right. Remember that self-care includes basic activities you're already doing: - Getting sleep - Preparing meals - Basic hygiene - Managing finances - Taking breaks Read More in This Blog here