A recent survey found 83 percent of caregivers are feeling stressed due to coronavirus; they're worried about transmitting the virus as well as worried about keeping their loved ones from being lonely.
We talked with Aaron Blight, Ed.D., author of 'When Caregiving Calls: Guidance as you care for a parents, spouse or aging relative' for some helpful advice.
He knows about it, because he's lived it in many ways - as a family caregiver for a mother-in-law struggling with a brain tumor and cancer; as the owner of a home care company that supported thousands of families living their own versions of the same journey; and as a researcher, lecturer, and consultant traveling the world to learn from family caregivers and their professional helpers.
He says it's important for caregivers to remember to take care of themselves too. Do things that will add fuel to your tank and get you refreshed.
Also, he says it's OK to ask for help - don't think you have to do everything alone. Blight says there are also caregiver support groups to help you interact, and a lot of those have gone virtual.
Blight says his book is not a "how-to", but it is a guide that includes topics for caregivers, and after each chapter the caregiver can go through questions to apply to their own situation to figure out how to be more proactive in the caregiver role.
Get your book online at Amazon or any bookstore throughout the Salt Lake area.
For more information please visit caregivingkinetics.com.
