What do you do every day (big or small) for your joy? Caregivers share how they recharge their energy and why it’s vital to their health and work.
“Things I do for self-care:
- Go to the chiropractor when my body needs adjustments.
- Go for a massage.
- Get my nails done at a salon.
- Meet up with a friend for coffee or lunch and socialize.
- Go to church and have fellowship.
- Eat foods that nourish my body.
- Exercise (although not a real regular occurrence).
- Send my son to his respite program to allow myself the time for self-care.”
– Home Care Aide Marian Jones cares for her son, Curran, in Sultan, WA.
(Pictured above, photo by Paul Joseph Brown.)
“How do you unwind and stay mentally healthy when you have an adult child who needs 24-7 care? It’s not easy. To unwind, we watch TV together as a family, especially on weeknights. Sometimes, we play games when I get home from work. I also love going on hikes, riding my bike, going to the movies or working in my garden. ”
– Home Care Aide Sabrina Horne, cares for her daughter, Brianna, with her husband, Gary, in Lynnwood, WA.
“The best way I take care of myself is getting plenty of sleep. My hobbies, like sewing, reading and writing, give me a creative outlet from the pressures of caregiving.
I practice yoga, which calms my active mind with the added benefit of improving my strength and flexibility to care for my son, who needs me to lift him for transfers.”
– Home Care Aide Eva Looper Gantala, cares for her son, Mike, in Monroe, WA.
“Drumming has been a lifelong passion since I was 9 years old. I have drums all over the house from an acoustic drum kit in the garage, an electronic kit in my bedroom and lots of hand drums and other percussion scattered around the house. I love them all!”
– Home Care Aide Shannon Andersson, cares for her children Aaron and Alyson in Sultan, WA.
“This is what I do to not feel depressed or get too anxious. When I’m having a bad day I pray for my consumer and myself. God shows me how to love one another. I love my job and I meet lots of nice people.”
– Home Care Aide Norma Martinez, Pasco, WA.
