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CAREGIVER'S BILL OF RIGHTS
I have the right...
To take care of myself. This is not an act of selfishness. It will
give me the capability of taking better care of my relative.
To seek help from others even though my relatives may object. I
recognize the limits of my own endurance and strength.
To maintain facets of my own life that do not include the person I
care for, just as I would if he or she were healthy. I know that I do
everything that I reasonably can for this person, and I have the right to
do some things just for myself.
To get angry, be depressed, and express other difficult feelings
occasionally.
To reject any attempts by my relative (either conscious or
unconscious) to manipulate me through guilt, and or depression.
To receive consideration, affection, forgiveness, and acceptance for
what I do from my loved one for as long as I offer these qualities in
return.
To take pride in what I am accomplishing and to applaud the courage it
has sometimes taken to meet the needs of my relative.
To protect my individuality and my right to make a life for myself
that will sustain me in the time when my relative no longer needs my
full-time help.
To expect and demand that as new strides are made in finding resources
to aid physically and mentally impaired persons in our country, similar
strides will be made towards aiding and supporting family caregivers.
© by Jo Horne, Author of CareGiving: Helping an Aging Loved One
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