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Barb Mallut---"Your wish is my command! " :-) This is part of the material which Jeff Jones sends to every new CARE member. We don't know the original source, unfortunately, of either, but they are appreciated. I do not have the Patient's Bill of Rights, however...sorry :-( > Table of Contents > >1) The CareGivers Bible >2) The CareGivers Bill of >Rights__________________________________________________________________________ >__ > >1) THE CAREGIVERS' BIBLE > >* Maintain social contacts and as many activities as possible > >*Formally and in writing schedule respite time for yourself on a daily >or weekly basis.Even a few minutes a day can make a difference in your >outlook . Stick to that schedule. > >*Involve other relatives in care of the care recipient early on,including >multiple-day care over weekends and holidays. > >*Do not martyr yourself. No one should expect to provide all care every >day without help. If you can, get a job or activity away from home for >periods of time. > >*Make sure that children and siblings understand the disease Let them assume >caregiving duties for short periods, so they experience first-hand the stress >you experience as a caregiver. They , too, will suffer doubt, denial,guilt >and anger, and the fury may be directed at you. > >*Guilt and anger are normal emotions. Recognize them for what they are, and >avoid acting on them. Anger usually accompanies a sense of guilt. > >*The incidence of headache,insomnia, backache or other physical symptoms >during caregiving can be stress-related, stemming from unresolved anger, >guilt and/or depression. Nearly all caregivers are physically affected by >the care recipient's illness. Face that fact and accept it. To remain an >effective caregiver, you must take time out for yourself. > >*Source unknown* >____________________________________________________________________________ > >2) CAREGIVER'S BILL OF RIGHTS > >I have the right... > >To take care of myself. This is not an act of selfishness. It will >give me the capability of taking better care of my relative. > >To seek help from others even though my relatives 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 just for myself. > >To get angry, be depressed, and express other difficult feelings >occasionally. > >To reject any attempts by my relative (either conscious or >unconscious) to manipulate me through guilt, and or depression. > >To receive consideration, affection, forgiveness, and acceptance >for what I do from 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 persons in >our country, similar strides will be made towards aiding and >supporting caregivers. > > >*Author Unknown* >____________________________________________________________________________ > Camilla Flintermann, CG for Peter 79/8 Oxford, OH [log in to unmask] * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Ask me about the CARE list for* * Parkinson's caregivers ! * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *