Putting your energy into caring for someone else means that you may not have as much energy to care for yourself. Having the right support and self-care practices in place can help you achieve a sustainable balance and avoid burnout.

It may be easier said than done, but the importance of looking after your own needs can’t be overstated. This includes:

• Asking for help when you need it
• Being honest about your energy and emotions with yourself, your loved one and your support network
• Being realistic about what you can accomplish and what’s within your control
• Eating a well-balanced diet
• Drinking plenty of water
• Getting consistent physical activity
• Getting enough quality sleep
• Making time to relax and do things you enjoy, even if it means arranging another caregiver for your loved one
• Staying on top of your health care and addressing concerns as they arise

At some point, you need to give yourself a break from the duties of being a caregiver. Arranging respite care can allow you to take time for yourself while ensuring that your loved one continues receiving the assistance or care that they need.

Learning from and sharing with people who have similar experiences can be a source of relief, strength and perspective. We host caregiver and condition-specific support groups on our events page, and there are numerous other opportunities to get connected with caregivers both in person and online. You can even look for caregiver support groups through national organizations dedicated to specific conditions, such as the ALS Association , Alzheimer’s Association or Parkinson’s Foundation .

Caring for a loved one can be a difficult change for anyone. If you feel like your emotions or thoughts are becoming overwhelming, a primary care doctor can assess your situation, make initial recommendations and refer you to a mental health specialist if necessary.

As important as it can be to plan for the future, being present in the moment can help us reduce stress while staying grounded and open to positive experiences. The following resources can help you develop mindfulness through meditation programs and other tools.

Being a caregiver means many different things. You may be taking on everything from organizing your loved one’s medical care to helping them complete basic activities of daily living. Members of your loved one’s care team, such as their nurses, social worker and rehabilitation specialists, will work with you to make sure you’re comfortable with the skills required for daily care. We’ve also assembled resources here that can help you expand your caregiving skillset.

Bathing, meals, getting ready to leave the house – a caregiver’s day can involve many tasks and require various skills. In addition to the resources on the NeuroWell site page corresponding to your loved one’s diagnosis, resources like the Family Caregiver Alliance and the Caregiver Action Network offer specific caregiver education materials for a range of neurological and other health conditions. We also offer additional learning opportunities on our events page.

If your loved one is taking multiple medications, it can be hard to keep track of them all. Using a pill organizer and learning how each medication interacts with your loved one’s health condition can help you gain a more intuitive understanding of when and why they should be taking them. It can also be helpful to keep your own written notes about the dosages, possible interactions with other medications and any other information the prescribing doctors or pharmacists give you. To learn more and get advice tailored to your loved one’s medications, make an appointment with a medication therapy management (MTM) pharmacist.

As a caregiver, you may play an important role when it comes to your loved one’s care. Attending their medical appointments with a list of their current medications, dosages and a record of their symptoms helps give their care team a fuller picture of their current health. Along with this, asking questions and taking notes during appointments can help ensure that the care team’s recommendations fully translate into your loved one’s daily care. Below, you can find other things to keep in mind and ways that you can use your expertise to make the most of meetings with your loved one’s care team.

A long-term or progressive health condition can make it especially important to plan for the future. Talk with your loved one’s care team about advance care planning. It’s an important way of ensuring that your loved one continues to be cared for the way they want, even if they should become unable to communicate it themselves.

If your loved one is disabled as a result of their health condition, a home that’s adapted to their needs is key to helping them live well. The following resources provide guidance and services related to finding accessible housing or making accessibility modifications to a current home. You can also talk with your loved one’s physical therapist and occupational therapist about what modifications will be most helpful.

If your loved one needs more care than you and the rest of their support network can provide, assisted living may be a solution.

In addition to the resources above, the following organizations offer a wide variety of educational materials, support services and other resources for caregivers and their loved ones.