Dear Margaret

I currently provide care to my Mother who is 94, but lately it seems I have no energy to do anything.  How can I continue to care for her when I can barely take care of myself?

Signed,

Desperate for Rest

Dear Desperate for Rest,

It can be extremely difficult to take care of yourself and overwhelming while caring for an older adult. Care giving can be physically demanding and emotionally draining. Not only do you need to meet their needs 24/7 but you have household obligations to upkeep and also maybe employment. This usually means that you are the last one on the list.

However, you need to remember to put yourself first. Just as in an airplane, an adult is always told to put their oxygen mask on first, as not to pass out, so they can assist their child with their oxygen mask. Without your continued health, you will not be able to care for your mother. Many caregivers become burnt out because they can no longer physically or emotionally handle the responsibilities.

Don’t despair, there is help out there. The Office on Aging has a whole program designed just to support family caregivers. The Family Caregiver Support Program is a federally funded free program through the Older Americans Act. The program was developed to provide information, support, and assistance including respite, to individuals who are caring for a loved one over 60 years of age in the home. Please contact Lynette McGowan at 970-498-7758 to find out more about these valuable free services. Lynette will meet with you one on one to find out what will best meet your needs. There is help out there, but it is your job to ask for it.

Please email your aging issue question to seniors@berthoudrecorder.com.