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.

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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

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