Caregivers Bill Of Rights
I have the right
- to take care of myself.
- to seek help from others even though my relative may object.
- to maintain facets of my own life that don't include the person I care for, just as I would if he or she where healthy.
- 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 from my loved one for as long as I offer those 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 to aiding and supporting caregivers.
- Add your own statements of rights to this list. Read your list every day.
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