Finding more time as a caregiver of a loved one with Alzheimer’s disease can be a real challenge. If you plan to be healthy enough to be in it for the long haul, time management is a skill you must acquire. Even if you are convinced there is no way to carve out more time in your busy schedule, you may be surprised to learn that there are some proven strategies that have worked for other caregivers. Here are some tips that may help you as well:
•Schedule personal time as though it were an appointment you need to keep for someone you care deeply for. Many caregivers do not hesitate to step up to the plate when their loved ones need help getting to a doctor’s appointment, so treat your own time as if it’s as vital as your loved one’s well being-because it is!
•Start out by allotting a small amount of time for yourself (such as an hour each week) and then increase the time increment gradually to allow yourself more and more time for self-care.
•Keep in mind that it can take time to adapt to new changes, allow yourself to fall off the wagon, and get back up and try again.
•Consider hiring a life coach to help you in meeting the goal of taking more time for yourself.
•Take a small amount of time each day, a longer amount of time every week and once a month plan to take an entire day or even a weekend off.
•Be insistent on using this time for yourself, this is not the time to do chores or catch up on work. Caring for yourself should include activities such as: working out, meditating, spending time with friends, being in nature, attending to your own health and wellness, or just taking a few moments for some quiet time to enjoy a cup of tea or read a book.
See Part II for more tips on saving time for caregivers. CLICK HERE to join our 25 lesson course for caregivers at AlzU.org.
