Welcome
"There are four types of people in the world:
Those who have been caregivers,
Those who currently are caregivers,
those who will be caregivers, and
those who will need caregivers."
Former First Lady Rosalynn Carter
Rosalynn Carter Institute of Caregiving
The following is an excerpt from my book
'Take Care...!
Taking Care of Yourself While Taking Care of Another'
A Caregiver is...
...someone who may work full-time, yet ensures 24/7 care is provided to their spouse, or their child, or their parent, or their grandparent, or their sister, or their brother, or their friend, or their neighbor, etc.
...someone who ensures their child with Epilepsy, or Cystic Fibrosis, or Autsim, or Down Syndrome, and so on, receives all their medications on time and as directed, and yet strives to give their child as normal a life as possible.
...someone who spends hours upon hours researching the disease process and treatment options.
...someone who knows much about medical equipment and options available that will enable the person they care for to be as independent and as autonomous as possible.
...someone who drives hours to another hospital, in another city, in order to ensure the person they care for can receive the necessary treatment.
...someone who sits patiently next to the hospital bed waiting for the opportunity to visit with the doctor about treatments, about discharge plans, about options available.
...someone who makes hard decisions - often alone.
...soemone who strives for normalcy in unusual circumstances.
...someone who is constantly conscientious of the progression of disease, yet maintains a sense of hope.
...someone who strives to ensure the pride and dignity of the person they care for remains intact.
...someone who recognizes the role of caregiving doesn't end upon admit to a hospital or nursing home. The role continues on for as long as needed.
...someone who unconditionally cares for another.
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Ways to Take Care of Yourself While Caregiving...
(Another excerpt from Take Care....!
Taking Care of Yourself While Taking Care of Another)
Have lunch with a friend ~ Get a massage ~ Write a note ~ Journal ~ Call a friend ~ Take a ten minute break ~ Take a walk ~ Enjoy the scenery around you ~ Read an 'I can't put this down' book (ie: Take Care...!) ~ Attend support groups ~ Get involved in local organizations ~ Become knowledgeable about disease process ~ Learn to ask for help ~ Learn to accept help ~ Take a deep breath ~ Be kind ~ Cry if necessary ~ Have a hobby ~ Learn something new ~ Believe in others ~ Set limits ~ Get regular medical checkups ~ Love yourself unconditionally ~ Laugh often ~ Give a hug ~ Talk about it ~ Sing a song ~ Take regular breaks ~ Get organized ~ Exercise, eat healthy, and avoid drugs and alcohol ~ Take a warm relaxing bath ~ Sip hot tea ~ Share your knowledge ~ Relax ~ Support others in similar circumstances ~ Get to know the medical team ~ Utilize available resources ~ Respect yourself for all you do ~ Respect your situation ~ ~ Do your best ~ Control what you can control and leave the rest to God ~ Smile ~ Find humor in situations around you ~ Trust your instincts ~ Thank those that help you ~ Focus on one day at a time ~ Surround yourself with positive people ~
Think positive ~ Talk positive ~ Focus on possibilities, not the limitations of the disability ~ Accept what you cannot changed ~ Be Thankful ~ And remember to 
Take Care of yourself too...!
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To read another excerpt from Take Care...!, clink on the Take Care...! tab at the top of this page. And coming soon, an exceprt from my next book titled Take Care Too...!
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If you would like to purchase a copy of the audiobook, Take Care...! Taking Care of Yourself While Taking Care of Another (read by me), please visit www.tatepublishing.com/bookstore/book.php?w=978-1-60462-070-2.
Thank you!
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