You know what breaks my heart? So many family
caregivers tell me they feel guilty for being
tired, for needing help, for wanting a break.
But caregiving isn't just hard work. It can quietly
drain your emotional and physical energy, even
when you love the person you're caring for with
your whole heart. Today I'm going to show you
how to care for yourself with the same compassion
you give to your loved one. You'll walk away
with simple, doable ways to protect your wellbeing
without feeling selfish. And just so you know,
you're in good hands. I'm Robin Schiltz, a senior
home safety specialist. I've walked alongside
many caregivers and I understand what this journey
feels like from the inside. So let's get into
it. Caregiving is one of the greatest acts of
love and one of the toughest roles anyone can
take on. If you're listening to this, chances
are you already know that. You've lived the long
days and the sleepless nights. You've handled
the appointments, the medication schedules, the
mood changes, the unexpected emergencies, and
through it all, you keep showing up. But here's
what people don't always understand. Caregiving
isn't just about what you do. It's also about
what you carry emotionally. And sometimes, without
even noticing it, you start to disappear inside
the role. You stop doing things for yourself,
you stop resting, you stop asking for help, and
you stop feeling like you. Loving yourself through
the caregiving journey isn't a luxury, though.
It's not being indulgent or selfish. It is a
survival skill, and it's one of the most important
things you can learn. So let's walk through a
few ways to care for you while you care for someone
else. Number one is to let yourself feel what
you feel. Caregiving brings up the full rainbow
of emotions. Love, exhaustion, anger, worry,
frustration, and sometimes resentment. These
feelings do not make you a bad caregiver. They
make you human. When you pretend everything is
fine, that stress builds up inside you. But when
you allow yourself to say, this is hard, or I'm
overwhelmed, you release some of the pressure
and you give yourself space to breathe. And the
truth is, admitting your feelings doesn't change
your love for the person, it strengthens your
ability to keep going. Number two is to give
yourself permission to take breaks. I know, the
moment you step away, even for a few hours, the
guilt creeps in. You start thinking, I should
be there, or no one can do it the way I do. But
here's what I always tell caregivers. Breaks
don't mean you're abandoning your loved one.
They mean you're protecting your ability to continue
caring. Even a small pause helps. taking a quiet
walk or having coffee with a friend, just sitting
outside and feeling the sun on your face. These
moments refill your cup and you deserve that,
and you need that. Number three is to stop believing
you have to do this all alone. Caregiving often
becomes a one -person show. Not because others
don't want to help, but because caregivers feel
like they should handle everything, or that asking
for support is a burden for others. But here's
what I've seen time after time. When caregivers
ask for help, they don't fall behind. They actually
do better. Maybe help looks like a sibling taking
over doing the bills, or maybe it's a friend
sitting with your loved one while you run an
errand. Maybe it's using respite care once a
month, or joining a caregiver support group where
you're not the only one saying, man, am I tired.
Support does not replace you. It sustains you.
Number four is to speak to yourself with the
same kindness you give others. Caregivers are
often incredibly gentle with their loved ones
and incredibly harsh with themselves. If the
person you're caring for has had a bad day, you
reassure them. But when you have a bad day, you
criticize yourself. So let's flip that. When
you're struggling, try saying, I'm doing the
best I can. Or, this is hard and I'm allowed
to feel tired. Or, I deserve care too. It sounds
simple, but those words matter. The way you talk
to yourself shapes the way you cope. Number five
is to remember that your life still has value
and meaning outside of caregiving. This one is
so important. Caregiving can take up so much
space that it becomes your whole identity, but
you are more than the tasks you complete. You're
more than the stress you manage, and you're more
than the challenges you face. You still have
dreams and interests and friendships and joys,
and yes, the right to a life that feels fulfilling.
Keeping part of your life just for you isn't
selfish. It's what keeps you grounded and what
keeps you emotionally healthy, and it's what
helps you show up each day with strength and
compassion. So thanks for joining me today. Please
share this episode with someone you care about
who could use the information to make their life
safer. You'll find more resources for seniors
and caregivers on our website at seniorsafetyadvice
.com, and if you're searching for an Aging in
Place Specialist, please visit our sister website
at aginginplacedirectory .com. Also, if you haven't
subscribed to our YouTube channel or to this
podcast yet, go ahead and do that right now,
and then come back tomorrow for another daily
moment of guidance and encouragement right here
on the Senior Safety Advice Podcast. Until next
time, thanks for listening, take care, bye!