CAREGIVER GUIDE TO RESPITE CARE
If you don't believe every caregiver needs a break, take this quiz and see for yourself
BY:FRAN SILVERMAN
Quiz: Do You Need Respite Care?
Caring for a disabled or sick family member can be intense,emotional and draining. Yet, most caregivers ignore all that or don't realizethey need a break until it's too late.
If you provide care for someone, answer these questions:
Have you felt irritable or resentful toward your loved one, and then guilty for feeling that way?
Do you feel overwhelmed?
Are you often exhausted?
Do you often feel ill?
Are you frequently bothered by physical issues such as headaches, backaches, muscle pains or spasms?
Have you had difficulty sleeping-either insomnia or sleeping too much?
Have you forgone any hobbies or favorite pastimes?
Have you increasingly turned down social invitations from friends or family because you felt you couldn't leave your ailing loved one?
Have you been unable to take or avoided taking vacations away from home?
Have you cut back hours at work and/or refused business travel?
Have you been unable to attend religious services?
Have you turned to drugs or alcohol to deal with the pressure of caregiving?
If you said yes to any of these questions, experts say you are in need of respite care-now! What is respite and how do you get it?
CLICK HERE to find out...