It’s a New Year and It’s Time to Stop Judging Yourself!

It’s a New Year and It’s Time to Stop Judging Yourself.

If you care for a loved one who needs regular, ongoing assistance, you may feel overwhelmed, frustrated, angry, or guilty…

This can lead caregivers to feel hopeless, depressed, experience personal health problems, and even cause neglect of your loved one.

Start the New Year right and cut yourself some slack!

“Taking care of a loved one can be mentally and physically demanding — it’s basically a huge labor of love!

Most people have no clue about the levels of stress, exhaustion and intense love that are a part of caring for a loved one.

It is almost impossible to understand unless ‘you’ve actually been there’ and done it yourself. It’s also quite easy to start judging yourself and wonder if you can continue giving appropriate care over the long haul.”

It’s a New Year and It’s Time to Stop Judging Yourself!

Bring in the New Year with the Quick Tips below to help improve your mindset.

When you begin to feel better about your caregiving skills, you can create a more positive environment for everyone involved!

Its a new year and its time to stop judging yourself

Check Out The 7 Tips Below to Get Started:

1- Be Aware Of Your Limitations

There are only so many things you can handle at one time. Something has to give when you juggle too many responsibilities at once.

Are you raising a family, caring for a loved one AND working full-time? Do you travel for work? Do you have any time for yourself?

When your plate is overflowing with responsibilities, it is important to take a moment to recognize the overwhelm so you can stop judging yourself.

Begin by taking a moment to write down all your responsibilities and determine how much you can truly handle. Then, allow yourself to delegate some tasks to others.

Asking for help does not make you a bad caregiver! It can make you a better caregiver and allows you to be more focused on giving the loving, attention and care they need.

2- Focus On The Positive – Notice Any Negative Self-talk

The way you talk to yourself matters – a lot. Did you know… if you have negative thoughts about yourself as a caregiver, your caregiving ability can actually diminish?

Positive self-talk reduces negativity, anxiety and increases your happiness and belief in yourself. Take a moment to remind yourself about all the things that you do well!

3- Do Not Compare Your Situation To Others

Avoid comparing your situation to others – it typically lead to you feeling “not good enough” as a caregiver. Most of us are our own harshest critic – Let That Go!

Each caregiving situation is different, so focus on what you’re doing right! This can lift your mood and the mood of loved ones around you. Remember, caregiving can be like a marathon – so, pace yourself and focus on what YOUR situation needs.

If necessary, make some changes to your routine like delegating tasks or look for respite care.

4- Focus on Your Strengths and Keep Learning

Stay focused on tasks you are good at and learn new techniques & skills as you go. Some people are better at some tasks or skills than others – and that’s okay!

Divvy up the caregiving tasks based on each family caregivers’ strengths and delegate your loved ones care accordingly.

5- Talk to Other Family Caregivers

Consider joining a Family Caregiver Support Group – talk to the group leaders and other caregivers. Learn how they cope with being self-critical, ask about solutions or techniques they have tried and learn new skills.

The more support, understanding and ideas you learn from other caregivers, the easier it is to treat yourself with kindness – and that turns into being a more positive and skilled caregiver!

6- Check out the Family Caregiver Toolbox from the Caregiver Action Network (CAN)

Founded in 1993, CAN is a non-profit organization providing education, peer support, and resources to family caregivers across the country free of charge.

The organization works to improve the quality of life for the more than 90 million Americans who care for loved ones with chronic conditions, disabilities, disease, or the frailties of old age.

For Details, Click the Link Here: Family Caregiver ToolBox

7- Consider Hiring an In-Home Care Agency for Respite Care, Companion Care or More

When you have time to relax, regroup and do something for yourself, it can reduce some of the pressure and anxiety you may feel as a Family Caregiver.

The highest quality care begins with an Agency that hires the right staff and ensures the highest quality client care possible. They will also offer Ongoing Training to Client’s Families and their caregiving staff to continually improve caregiver skill sets!

For Additional Information, take a look at these Blogs:

Six Alzheimer’s Care & Support Programs You Need

Caregiver Burnout – What Is It and How Can You Prevent it?

How Can We Help Your Ohana?

If you want to learn more about part-time or full-time Home Care, reach out to us!

We’d love to answer your questions.

Our commitment to excellence, accountability & transparency with our client care and our staff

ensures your loved one can live at home safely, lead a more productive life and

enjoy the skilled, compassionate, professional care they deserve.

We Call It Keeping Our Promises. You’ll Call it Exceptional Home Care.

Ohana Care Maui

Exceptional Care You Can Count On.

Call Today for Free, Customized In-Home Care Consultation

From respite care to bedbound care and everything in between — including Dementia & Alzheimer’s.

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808-344-1285

OhanaCareMaui.com

Did You Know?

The Alzheimer’s Care & Support You Need is Available on Maui.

Learn About These 6 Important Care & Support Programs Now!

Six alzheimer’s care and support programs you need

Whether you are a caregiver for ‘ohana or you

have been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s or related dementias,

Get all the FREE Help, Support and Information You Need in Maui County for Alzheimer’s or Related Dementias.

Join Alzheimer’s Hawaii and their safe, confidential environments to connect, share, support and develop social relationships while learning coping strategies & skills.

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“On Maui, we focus on maximizing quality care and support –

so we provide free classes, support groups, and

a 24/7 Helpline for family caregivers.

Over 50,000 people take care of a loved one at home in Hawaii;

these family caregivers often work full time.

It is our hope that we can reach them with tools that make their

day-to-day lives a little easier and help them feel more empowered.”

~Alzheimer’s Association, Maui County

Get all the FREE Help, Support and Information You Need in Maui County.

…because no one should face Alzheimer’s alone.

These Six (6) Important Care & Support Programs are Available.

- - - - Maui Fires Emergency Caregiver Respite Grant – displaced families
        
        Caregiver Support Groups
        
        Local, 24/7 Help Hotline
        
        Education Programs
        
        Care Consultations
        
        Online Community

Let’s Take a Closer Look at Each Free Program:

1- Maui Fires, Emergency Caregiver Respite Grant – Displaced Families.

For displaced families due to the Maui fires – must be a family caregiver for a loved one with dementia.

– For eligibility information and to apply, call the Maui County Office of Aging: 808.270.7774

2- Caregiver Support Groups, Maui.

Whether it’s Live or Zoom – it helps to talk story with fellow caregivers who are in the same boat.

- Maui County – Virtual Meetings:

– 3rd Tuesday of the month, 4pm – 5:30pm

– To register, contact Shirley Kan at shkan@alz.org or call 808.518.6648

- Maui Island – In-person Meetings:

– Nov 2023 Date To Be Determined

– Roselani Place, 88 South Papa Avenue, Kahului

– To register, Contact Shirley Kan at shkan@alz.org or 808.518.6648

3- Local, 24/7 Helpline.

For those with memory loss, caregivers, health care professionals & the public.

- Toll-free any time of the day or night. 808-272-3900
- Our Local Helpline has Master’s Level Staff to connect with 365 days a year and they speak over 200 languages.
- 4 Ways For Easy Access: Live phone call, online, via form submission and TTY.

4- Education Programs.

Classes and Events can be offered ‘in-person and online’. Online classes are available 24/7 and “tailored for every part of the journey”. They will range from a quick 30 minutes all the way to 1.5 hours depending on the topic.

Topics include:

- Know the 10 Signs
- Alzheimer’s Basics
- Caregiving Advice
- Effective Communication Strategies
- Healthy Living for Your Brain and Body
- Legal and Financial Planning
- A “Living with Alzheimer’s” series for caregivers
- And, so much more!

– Online Training Center: Training and Education Center

– More on classes and events: www.alz.org/hawaii/events

– Our Virtual Library: The Virtual Library – an extension of the Alzheimer’s Association Green-Field Library

5- Care Consultations.

Take advantage of a personalized, in-depth talk-story session.

-Topics can range from:

- - - Discussions on caregiving barriers
    - Emotional support
    - Legal and financial planning
    - How to find local resources
    - Disease education
    - And, so much more.

– Schedule a Care Consultation – Call: 808-518-6648

6- Online Community.

Free online community for everyone affected by Alzheimer’s or dementia. This community welcomes those with the disease, caregivers, friends, ‘ohana, neighbors and those who have lost someone to the disease.

– Online Community: www.alzconnected.org

Six alzheimer’s care and support programs you need

– Remember to Sign Up for E-news! –

- Keep up with news and events!
- Every Wednesday, you’ll receive the latest information on Alzheimer’s care and support, advances in research, as well as inspirational stories and resources for people living with the disease and their caregivers.

– Sign up Here: ENews SignUp

– For More Information –

- Community Resource Finder: Community Resource Finder
- Please check the ALZ website: www.alz.org/hawaii
- Alzheimer’s Helpline: 800-272-3900

For more information on Alzheimer’s and Dementia Check Out the Live Links to our Blogs:

Dementia vs Alzheimer’s – What IS the Difference?

Dementia vs Alzheimer’s – What is the difference?

Six alzheimer’s care and support programs you need