ARTICLES / Caregiver / A
Caregiver's Bill of Rights /
Other Articles
Share This Article
A Caregiver's Bill of Rights
By Jo Horne
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 loved one.
To seek help from others even though my loved ones 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 loved one (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 ones, 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 loved one.
To protect my individuality and my right to make a life
for myself that will sustain me in the time when my
loved one no longer need 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 caregivers.
Printable Version
|
|
|
