It is so important for family caregivers to practice self care, but it's easy to forget while caring for loved ones. Thank you for sharing these useful brain health tips for caregivers.

It really helps when caregivers are honest about their struggles -- it helps me to identify with someone else and then you don't feel so alone and "odd". I so agree with the last 2 comments -- I don't have a life either. People don't understand and if you try to explain they change the subject. It's not their fault - they aren't in your situation so they don't like to talk about it. This whole thing has certainly given me more compassion when I listen to others and to hear what they are saying. It makes me feel so much better when I can share with all of you and you "totally get it"! It's like being able to go to a support meeting without having to get dressed, getting my mom dressed, finding someone who would be willing to come over for a couple of hours, getting there and hoping it gets over in 2 hours because that's all the time you have to get home and meet her needs and start all over again!

I know exactly what u mean and share your facebook comment. I want to stay positive and not be that person who seems negative but it's hard to "put on a smile" when dealing with so much. Most people don't have a clue and that's OK but I cringe when they want to think they understand by sharing a story about a sick grandma or something. Nobody wants to hear the real answer to "Hows your day?" and it feels fake when you side-step the answer to keep it positive.
Hang in there my friend

I need more uninterrupted time to myself and am having trouble getting it because my father calls me up every time he thinks of something that he's afraid he might forget and he forgets that he already called me up about it. So I struggle to get my stuff done. Haven't been to a doctor in awhile and don't have a social life. Working a job would be impossible, but I need financially to go back to work, so we are exploring adult day care. I need to get him involved in activities with other people so he has a reason to get up in the morning and I don't have to be his only source of conversation/activity. The rest of the family isn't helping. I use Facebook but I find it frustrating as everyone else seems to have a life.

I like the breathing tip too. When I get stressed I tend to hold my breath in frustration and then everything else tenses up. I will try to take a deep breath whenever I feel this anger start to surface. Other than seeing people by going to church with my mom on Sunday, social activities are at a minimum because she is wheelchair bound, 97 years old, and a lot of activities I could go to are not ones that she could go with me. I try to remember that each day is a new day with new possibilities -- if I don't focus on the positive I feel like I will go crazy. I am thankful that I have very good health and I have planted a garden that will keep me busy in the warmer weather. Thank you for your articles -- they really help!

I like the breathing tip. I will try to remember to use this more often.

I know I am a better caregiver when I am in a better place physically and mentally myself. The hard part is keeping that (my health) near the top of the pile everyday. Maybe starting with the breathing is the place to start.

I have noticed that my diet when better balanced = clearer mind; I just need to remember that when eating well and balanced becomes tedious.