Giving Gift of Time to Caregivers in your Life

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CLEVELAND - If you have a family member or friend who takes care of a loved one, consider giving them the gift of time this holiday season.

As Lucille Carrier, PhD, psychologist with Cleveland Clinic explains, caregivers tend to put their own needs last – even if it comes at cost.

“Unfortunately, in the caregiving role, can also come the potential for negative impacts on overall health, thinking of their emotional, financial, social and their physical health and well-being,” said Dr. Carriere. “We see higher rates of anxiety and depression and other negative impacts on their health due to the increasing stress and responsibility that comes with family caregiving.”

Dr. Carriere said the gift of time can come in different forms.

Some examples include looking after the individual so the caregiver can take a couple of hours or even the whole day off, shoveling their driveway after it snows, doing their laundry or going to the grocery store for them.

You could also order food so they don’t have to cook dinner, pay for a magazine subscription, or buy them self-care products, like fragranced soaps, candles, a good book to read, or a journal to write in.

Dr. Carriere said caregivers often tell her that they feel guilty about taking time for themselves, which shouldn’t be the case.

“It's critical for caregivers to attend to their own physical, emotional, and social needs, for example, to ensure optimal emotional well-being,” she said. “Self-care shouldn't be thought of as something that's indulgent, but rather an essential part of their practice and delivery of caregiving.”

She said the gift of time isn’t just the perfect present for the holiday season, but really any day of the year.