Caregiver support
Self-care that fits a caring day
Not spa days. Ten-minute, low-cost, interruptible things that keep the machine running.
The non-negotiable five
- Eat something with protein before noon.
- Drink water at every medication round you do for someone else.
- Step outside once a day, even for three minutes.
- Keep your own medical appointments and prescriptions.
- Speak to one adult a day about something that is not the illness.
Anchoring habits to what you already do
Attach the new habit to an existing one: stretch while the kettle boils, breathe slowly while waiting for the pharmacy, walk one lap of the car park before driving home. Caregivers do not have empty time, so borrow the time you already spend waiting.
Rest is a treatment, not a treat
You will hear 'you must look after yourself' constantly and it will start to sound like another task. Reframe it: your rest is part of the patient's care plan, because their care depends on you being functional next month.
Where to go next
Afya Companion offers education and self-help support. It does not diagnose, treat or replace care from your doctor, nurse, psychologist or dietitian. If something in your health changes, speak to your care team.