How important is it that a caregiver practice healthy self care? Consider these statistics. 80% of care provided to hospice patients is provided by unpaid caregivers (typically, family members). 17.9 billion hours of unpaid care is provided annually for Alzheimers patients alone. 34% of those unpaid caregivers are over 65 years old, and 1 in 10 are over 75 years old. Unpaid caregivers provide care on an average of 43-97 hours per week, and not just during the daytime hours, but nighttime as well. 



The probability for caregiver burnout is significant.



In this episode Helen & Jerry discuss the problem of caregiver burnout, and offer ways for caregivers to provide self care, so that they can keep providing the best care possible for the patient.



In this episode we feature the co-authors and website creators of 365CaregivingTips.com. Five authors, Pegi Foulkrod, Gincy Heins, Trish Hughes Kreis, Richard Kreis and Kathy Lowrey are all experienced caregivers. Pegi and Kathy both cared for their husbands before they died, Gincy cares for her husband who was diagnosed with Mild Cognitive Impairment and Richard and Trish care for Trish's disabled brother as well as Richard's mom.

365 Caregiving Tips: Practical Tips from Everyday Caregivers was the beginning of a series of books created with the intent of helping others through their caregiving journey. Their second book, 365 Caregiving Tips: Travel and Respite, Practical Tips from Everyday Caregivers, is designed to help those traveling with their loved one or taking a respite without their loved one.



The tips found in both books are practical. Caregivers have to make the most of their limited time, money and energy and these tips are designed with those limited resources in mind.



People can read one tip a day, read a chapter that applies to their situation at that moment, or enjoy them all at once. The hope of the co-authors is that by sharing these tips people will have an easier caregiving day, and their load will be a little lighter. They also want people to know there are others on this caregiving journey, some who are just beginning and some who are more experienced, but they are here with you and are here to help.



Check out these other great websites for caregiver resources.



Alzheimers Association - alz.org

AARP - aarp.org/home-family/caregiving/

National Alliance for Caregiving - caregiving.org

National Hospice & Palliative Care Organization - caringinfo.org

365 Caregiving Tips - 365caregivingtips.com