Caregiver’s Bill of Rights
These are your rights as someone caring for a loved one. As you are on this journey, we hope these rights normalize your struggles and any guilt or other feelings you may have.
These are a reminder: It’s okay (and even encouraged!) to take breaks, have fun, do hobbies and care for yourself in the same way you’re caring for your loved one. This will help you be a better caregiver. I have the right to take care of myself. This is not an act of selfishness. It will give me the ability to take better care of my loved one. I have the right to seek help from others even though my loved one may object. I know the limits of my own endurance and strength. I have the right to keep parts of my own life that do not include the person I care for just as if they were healthy. I know that I do everything that I reasonably can do for this person. I have the right to do some things just for myself.
I have the right to get angry, be depressed and express difficult feelings once in a while. I have the right to reject any attempt by my loved one to make me do things out of guilt or anger. I have the right to get considerations, affection, forgiveness and acceptance for what I do for my loved one, as I offer these in return. I have the right to take pride in what I’m doing. And I have the right to applaud the courage it has taken to meet the needs of my loved one. I have the right to protect my individuality (who I am). I also have the right to a life that will sustain me when my loved one no longer needs my help.
Originally shared by Jo Horne in Caregiving: Helping an Aging Loved One.
Melanoma Patient and Caregiver Guide | Stages 2–3 42
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