Self-care for Family Caregivers

When your needs are taken care of, the person you are caring for also will benefit.

Research indicates the effects of caregiving on health and well-being are significant, such as sleep deprivation, poor eating habits, failing to exercise, failing to rest when ill, and postponing or failing to make medical appointments for themselves.

Caregivers may not be able to stop the impact of a chronic illness or condition of someone they are caring for, but caregivers have a great deal they can do to take responsibility for their personal well-being and get their own needs met.

The Powerful Tools for Caregivers (PTC) program is an evidence-based educational workshop designed to help family caregivers take better care of themselves and feel more confident in their ability to care for their family members. NDSU Extension offers the PTC program through extensive partnerships with local organizations.

In the six weekly classes, caregivers develop a wealth of self-care tools to reduce personal stress, change negative self-talk, communicate their needs to family members and health-care or service providers, communicate more effectively in challenging situations, recognize the messages in their emotions, deal with difficult feelings and make tough caregiving decisions.

For more information on the PTC program or upcoming workshops, contact Jane Strommen, NDSU Extension Gerontology Specialist, 701.231.5948.