Caregivers give their life to supporting another individual, but who supports them? The truth is that too many caregivers internalise their needs – you may know more caregivers than you realise, because they seldom talk about it. But caregiving is a difficult job, and caregivers need support and someone to talk to. If you are a caregiver, how often do you talk about yourself? Who do you have to support you?
If you have recently become a caregiver, or if you already are a caregiver who is not seeking support, consider reaching out in your community. Caregivers are all around you. Check your local community to find out if a caregiver support network already exists – somewhere that caregivers can get together to talk, help, support, and socialise. If a caregiving network does not exist, why not start one? It doesn’t have to be a lot of effort on your part – follow the structure of book clubs to create a weekly meeting for community caregivers, whether you host at your own home, meet in a local coffee shop, or go for exercise together.
Having a place where you can de-stress and talk to others who know exactly what you are going through is an invaluable resource to a caregiver. If you’re a caregiver, and you’re not being supported, don’t hold it in. There are others just like you who need your company as much as you need theirs.