Compassionate, Dedicated, Patient, Attentive, Empathetic, Nurturing, Resilient, Reliable, Responsible, and Always Available. These are just some of the adjectives that describe a caregiver.

November is National Family Caregiver Month, an occasion dedicated to recognizing the invaluable role of caregivers and raising awareness about the challenges they face.

Being a caregiver to a loved one with a disability is an incredibly demanding and often isolating role. The emotional, physical, and mental toll can be overwhelming as we juggle the responsibilities of providing care while also managing our own lives. The constant balancing act between attending to the needs of our loved one and maintaining our own health and well-being is an ongoing challenge.

One of my biggest fears of caregiving is that as much effort as I put into the role, it may not be enough. My caregiving role gives me purpose. The risk that it could end suddenly is terrifying and stressful. My daughter is only 20 years-old, but this is something that is always on my mind.

As caregivers, taking care of ourselves can be a challenge. It requires time away from the individual we are supporting in order to do other things that need our attention. Whether it is setting boundaries with your loved one, taking more frequent breaks, exercising, prioritizing sleep, learning how to manage your emotions, or treating yourself to something special on occasion… we need to prioritize our own mental and physical health.

When I take care of myself, I know that I am better prepared to continue to provide care and support to my daughter.