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  • Home
  • Get Started
    • About ALS
    • Newly Diagnosed
    • People with ALS
    • Veterans with ALS
    • Caregivers
    • Family & Friends
    • Research & Treatment
  • Planning
    • Health Insurance
    • Employment
    • Medical Decisions
    • Care
    • Advance Directives
    • ALS Nutrition
    • Transportation
    • Home Modifications
    • Travel
  • Equipment
    • Overview
    • Braces
    • Home & Daily Living
    • Bathroom
    • Mobility
    • Respiratory
    • Communication
  • Resources
    • Support Services
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Taking Care of Yourself


Caregivers often feel guilty for taking care of their own needs. Yet one of the best things you can do for your loved one is exactly that—take good care of yourself.

​This is not being selfish. If you become exhausted, develop health issues, or grow resentful, nobody will benefit.

​The better you are to yourself and the happier you are, the better caregiver you will be. You need to be healthy and strong to care for your loved one. This is a marathon—not a sprint.
​
Safety permitting, here are some things you can do for yourself:

 
  • Eat well.
  • Try to get enough sleep.
  • Exercise on a regular basis.
  • Carve out time for fun and leisure.
  • Meet up with friends.
  • Plan outings with your loved one.
  • Talk about your challenges with close family and friends.
  • Attend a support group for caregivers.
  • Schedule respite care so you have time to do these things!
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"We can only give our best," Dolly writes, "when we are at our best." Read practical advice from a former ALS caregiver.

What if I'm still feeling completely overwhelmed?

It is only natural that you are going to feel overwhelmed. Many caregivers experience a wide range of emotions. You may feel sadness one day and anger the next. There is nothing wrong with feeling what you’re feeling.

Your loved one may also be experiencing a wide range of emotions. Some people with ALS talk about it openly. Others are very private. Everyone will react differently. Remember that emotions and attitudes tend to evolve over time.

​
It is important that you reach out and connect with others—whether a family member, close friend, pastor, doctor, social worker, or fellow caregivers.

Support Services | Caring for Your Loved One | Caregiver Resources | Asking for Help | Quotes
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Get Started

About ALS
​Newly Diagnosed
People with ALS
Veterans with ALS
Caregivers
Family & Friends
​​Research & Treatment

Planning

Health Insurance
Employment

Medical Decisions
Care

Advance Directives
​
ALS Nutrition
Transportation

​Home Modifications
​Travel

Equipment

Overview
​
Braces
​Home & Daily Living
Bathroom
Mobility
Respiratory
Communication​

Resources

Support Services
ALS Clinics

Support Groups
​ALS Registry
​Get Involved
Resource list
​Glossary

About

Our Story
Myna's Story
​Our Team
Newsletter
​Contact Us
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