Caregiver Bill of Rights
Jo Horne , author of Caregiving : Helping an Aging Loved One I have the right ...
› To take care of myself . This is not an act of selfishness . It will give me the capacity to take better care of my relative .
› To seek help from others even though my relative may object . I recognize the limits of my own endurance and strength .
› To maintain facets of my own life that do not include the person I care for , just as I would if he or she were healthy . I know that I do everything that I reasonably can for this person , and I have the right to do some things for myself .
› To get angry , be depressed , and express other difficult feelings occasionally .
› To reject any attempt by my relative ( either conscious or unconscious ) to manipulate me through guilt , anger , or depression .
› To receive consideration , affection , forgiveness , and acceptance for what I do for my loved one for as long as I offer these qualities in return .
› To take pride in what I am accomplishing and to applaud the courage it has sometimes taken to meet the needs of my relative .
› To protect my individuality and my right to make a life for myself that will sustain me in the time when my relative no longer needs my full-time help .
› To expect and demand that as new strides are made in finding resources to aid physically and mentally impaired older persons in our country , similar strides will be made toward aiding and supporting caregivers .
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