Caregivers need to take care of themselves, also known as respite care. Easier said than done I'm afraid. Are you aware that 65% of caregivers are hospitalized or dead before the person they're caring for is gone? That's a scary statistic but it's not hard to believe.

Caregiving is hard and if you're caring for someone with memory loss it's even harder.  Lack of sleep because your loved one's sense of time is gone, the constant stress of having to think for two people. It can become too much. Without some time off, you could easily end up no good to both of you.

However, most people think respite care is expensive or requires a large time commitment. This episode of the podcast goes into great detail on how to get respite care from free to paid.

To give you a highlight (although you should still listen) here are the top points my guest made.  Start with the people who are around you. Friends, family, neighbors or your faith community.  Many times these people can do small things that build up to a lot of help. There are online resources to help you get time off. Share The Care is one you should look into.  It's a way to pull together your natural resources and supports to help provide care. It's free.  Sometimes all you need to do is reach out and ask.

Understanding Dementia

New York State Caregiving and Respite Coalition 
Where Else To Find Fading Memories
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