How can I help my loved ones help me? How can supporting each other help my recovery? 1. Talk positively, clearly and practically. Listen carefully. Always think about how the other person is feeling. 2. Support each other. Figure out what support you need and ask for it. Do you need help doing something? Is it emotional help you need? Do you need help learning how to do things differently? 3. Make sure you have different people to help you. Knowing you can ask them if you need to can be a big help. A message FOR CARE PARTNERS Juggling roles and providing daily support for your loved one can be tiring for even the most devoted person, no matter how happy you are to take on this role.
To prevent burnout, it helps to eat well, stay active, get a good night’s sleep and make time for enjoyable activities. Care partners and family members should watch themselves and one another for signs of burnout. Reach out to family, friends, support groups or your healthcare team if you see these signs:
• Feeling unusually tense or edgy • Showing an increased need for drugs or using alcohol too much • Being angry • Feeling sad, tearful or dissatisfied with life in general • Feeling out of control, with no sense of how to regain that control • Feeling very tired and saying things like, “It is too much” • Having trouble sleeping or having disturbing dreams • Not eating well • No longer seeing friends • Getting sick more often and taking an unusually long time to recover (lowered immunity) VI | Heart and Stroke Foundation