Dr. Carolyn in Cleveland: A Women's Health Podcast

Giving Courage To Caregivers


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Are you an exhausted caregiver? You're not alone. In the United States, sixty percent of caregivers are women. Being a caregiver is hard work; it requires a great deal of patience, strength and courage. It's hard to keep going, to keep caring for a loved one. Caregiver burnout is becoming all too common.

Today's guest, Kristi Horner, founder of Courage to Caregivers, is here to help. She had a brother who suffered from mental illness and eventually died by suicide. It was out of the terrible pain of losing her brother that Courage to Caregivers was born.

Courage to Caregivers is a non-profit organization dedicated to preventing caregiver burnout. They offer both one-on-one support and family support. They can help you problem-solve the difficulties of your situation. They can guide you to valuable community resources. They can help you focus on your strengths and encourage you to add more self-care.

Support is also available to professional caregivers like nurses, doctors, psychologists, and social workers. In addition, resources are available to those who suffer from suicide loss.

FROM THE COURAGE TO CAREGIVERS WEBSITE (https://www.CourageToCaregivers.org):

"It takes COURAGE to say YES to rest and play in a culture where exhaustion is seen as a status symbol." Brene Brown

"Although the world is full of suffering, it is also full of the overcoming of it." Helen Keller

SAY COURAGE AFFIRMATIONS

Use affirmations to inspire you or reframe your thoughts:

I embrace the day with confidence and courage.

I am doing the best I can at this moment.

Inhale courage. Exhale stress.

USE TOOLS TO CULTIVATE COURAGE

These tools include: How to Breathe, Move, Meditate, and Let It Go.

(Find all twelve tools at https://www.CourageToCaregivers.org.)

DON'T FORGET SELF CARE

Prevent Caregiver Burnout with these six suggestions:

  1. Move your body
  2. Change Your environment
  3. Mindful breathing
  4. Healthy eating and hydration
  5. Get enough sleep
  6. Build a dependable support network

FIND OUT YOUR CHARACTER STRENGTHS

Go to https://www.viacharacter.org and take the survey.

NEED MORE HELP?

Courage to Caregivers offers both individual and group/family support.

Call Courage to Caregivers: 216-536-7699

Register on the website: https://www.CourageToCaregivers.org

Send an email:

Kristi Horner: [email protected]

Jenny Woodworth: [email protected]

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Dr. Carolyn in Cleveland: A Women's Health PodcastBy Carolyn Nemec