Caregiver Ten Commandments

I       Thou shalt not be perfect or even try to be.

II      Thou shalt not try to be all things to all people.

III     Thou shalt sometimes leave things undone.

IV    Thou shalt not spread thyself too thin.

V     Thou shalt learn to say “NO”.

VI    Thou shalt schedule time for thyself and thy support network.

VII   Thou shalt switch thyself off, and do nothing.

VIII  Thou shalt not even feel guilty for doing nothing, or saying no.

IX    Thou shalt be boring, untidy, inelegant and unattractive at times.

X     Especially, thou shalt not be thine own worst enemy.  But, be thine own best friend.

Caregiving for a person who has a dementia is challenging, rewarding, heartbreaking, loving, kind and full of personal growth.  Managing our stress levels becomes mandatory as the disease progression continues.  In order for us to maintain our Loved One, we first must maintain ourselves.  Please take good care of your needs.