Caregiver Quotes to Inspire Caregivers

Caregivers go through tremendous stress to care for our loved ones. They need all the support they can get as well as a bit of encouragement. The caregiver mantra to remember is this - "The only control you have is over the changes you choose to make." This was one of the caregiver quotes Nancy L Kriseman gave from The Mindful Caregiver fame.   

We know how much you, as caregivers, give of yourselves. The question is, who comforts you when you are feeling down or not coping well? Hopefully these caregiver quotes are enjoyable and uplifting. They may come in handy when you feel especially drained by caring for your loved one.

Funny Caregiver Quotes to Boost the Caregiver's Morale

It is critical to make time for yourself as the primary caregiver of a loved one. Using humor can change your perspective on a challenging situation and reduce caregiver burnout and stress. Taking a step back and few deep breaths (deep enough so that someone next to you would hear) can help reduce the stress and build the confidence to move forward. As caregivers, we are not at our best when frazzled and thinking about all the things that need to be done. Slow down and take it one step at a time and look for the silver lining in every cloud.    

Some funny caregiver quotes that come to mind include:  

• When you really feel like you could slap someone, do it. Just be sure you say "mosquito" when doing so. (funny to imagine anyway)
• You will only find four kinds of people in the world. Those who were caregivers, those who are caregivers right now, those who will be caregivers one day, and those who need caregivers.   
• One caregiver had no other option than to say to the loved one they're caring for – We are out of sleeping pills. I will be reading you a bedtime story now.  
• Caregiver moment: That embarrassing moment when you see an elderly person struggling to get to the public restroom and instinctively head that way to help. After all, its habit!  
• Pat yourself on the back, and every night before you're off to bed, take a good look in your mirror and praise yourself by saying you are an exceptional person who cares deeply for others.    
• Always find a reason to smile – It may not necessarily add many years to your life, but it will definitely add life to your years.  
• Job activity of the day – Read your favorite childhood book (Cinderella, Snow White, Little Red Riding Hood, etc.)  

Are you a Caregiver in need of Inspiration?

As a caregiver, self-identification is an essential step towards overcoming various overwhelming responsibilities that your role entails. Are you someone who is tasked to care for a loved one that belongs to one or more of the following categories?  

• Folks with mental illness  
• Disabled individuals  
• Chronically ill people  
• Older persons who find it challenging to cope with daily living  
• Terminally ill individuals  

If you said yes to any of these, then you are a special person and responsible caregiver. We need to remember that caregiving is an activity that takes commitment, time, and personal sacrifice. As author Jim Rohn said, "One person caring about another represents life's greatest value."

It may seem intimidating, but the best part is that you are not alone, as there is always someone else going through a very similar journey. We can draw strength from knowing this and connecting with others dealing with similar difficulties. There are many facebook groups for support such as the Caring for Elderly Parents group.

Survival Tips Caregivers Should Care to Remember  

It pays to take note of the following 10 survival tips to help caregivers make it through every day:  

• Be sure to plan ahead.  As Dwight D. Eisenhower famously said, "Plans are useless, but planning is indispensable." But be flexible as plans often much change on the fly.
• Take the time needed to learn about useful resources.  
• Take it one day at a time and moment by moment.  
• Set up contingency plans for emergencies.
• Be willing to accept help. Respite care or Adult day care centers are good options.  
• Make your mental, physical and spiritual health a priority.  
• Eat properly and get enough sleep.  
• Make time for leisure activities.  
• Be kind to yourself. Self care is not selfish.
• Share your deepest feelings with others.  Find a support group.

Caregiver Quotes to Buoy Your Spirits  

Often, we did not ask to be caregivers, but it's something that came our way due to unforeseen circumstances. Millions of people just like you, find themselves caring for chronically ill or aged family members. The role certainly has its peaks and valleys, which is why caregiver appreciation quotes can do a lot to boost your morale no matter how tough it may be to care for a loved one.  

Some of you may resonate with a situation where your mom fails to recognize you at all. Times like these can leave you feeling drained.   

No doubt, taking on the role of a caregiver can make you feel like you're walking through a maze or jungle with lots of unforeseen twists and turns. If you are a child who is looking after an aged parent or a caregiver by profession, your care and devotion to the individual in need means the world to them. Whether they express it or not.

Mahatma Gandhi had a very nice way of putting it - "The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others."  

As a final thought, Maya Angelou, who came up with her own inspirational caregiver quote, put it aptly when she said - "Try to be a rainbow in someone's cloud."  

That's all for today.

Take care, keep mom safe and have a great day!

Winn

Articles of Interest:

1. FALLS FREE INITIATIVE TO PREVENT GROWING FALL RELATED INJURIES IN THE ELDERLY
2. ELDERLY CARE IN HOME AND ELSE WHERE
3. WHAT IS THE SANDWICH GENERATION AND HOW THEY CAN COPE WITH THEIR RESPONSIBILITIES