Our Top 10 Tips for Personal Caregivers, Heartbeat Episode 261

We’re sharing our top 10 tips for the over 53 million unpaid caregivers in the U.S.! Caregiving is a hard job.  It takes patience, energy, self-awareness, and endurance.  We’ve been personal caregivers for family members and friends on hospice, in addition to our work as end of life professionals.  To help our caregiving colleagues, we’ve put together a list of tips we think are the most crucial things a caregiver should do.  It’s important to remember to take breaks, both short (like a cup of coffee or some deep breathing) and long (like the 5 day respite from your hospice team).  Keep a list of tasks you need help with and let your “village” choose what they can help with.  Keep up with your own health needs; you’re in this for the long haul.  Learn ways to make caregiving easier (using technology and caregiving apps like Caregiven).  Don’t neglect your mental health, and connect with others outside of your caregiving circle - don’t let yourself become isolated. Remember to laugh, stay organized, and keep healthy habits for mind, body, and spirit.  And our #1 tip - be an advocate for your loved one’s needs and for your own needs. We hope our top 10 list is helpful to you. There’s more information to help with your caregiving journey at theheartofhospice.com.  Self care, advance directives, and hospice philosophy, it’s all there for you on our podcasts.  Check out the Caregiven blog and download the free Caregiven app!  You’re not alone in your journey.  The Heart of Hospice is here for you 24/7.  You are The Heart of Hospice!