We’re delighted to be supporting Carers Week 2024 (June 10 – 16)! Carers Week, coordinated by Care Alliance Ireland (CAI), highlights and celebrates the incredible, challenging, and invaluable work that Ireland’s 516,000 family carers do every day. They may provide support to a person with a disability, chronic condition, mental health challenge and/or long-term illness in the person’s own home.
Alongside Carers Week partners, Care Alliance Ireland (CAI) have organised a variety of events designed to inform, support and celebrate family carers throughout Ireland by #MakingCaringVisible.
Details of all events taking place across the week are available on carersweek.ie. You can also check out the Carers Week Facebook page for updates and information.
As Ireland’s national charity for dying, death, and bereavement, Irish Hospice Foundation’s campaign for Carers Week aims to make visible the experiences of carers caring for people receiving palliative care, facing end of life, or experiencing bereavement.
Throughout Carers Week, we’ll be sharing tips and info for carers across our social media channels. Stay tuned to our Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Twitter.
Self-Care Tips for Carers
Caring for a loved one can be demanding. It can be difficult to think about yourself when someone you care for is seriously ill or dying. But it’s important to maintain your own health and look after yourself too.
Here are eight self-care tips for carers:
- Zoom out. Remember everything you’ve achieved as a carer and be proud of your work. Being a carer is an incredibly challenging role, and it can be difficult at times to remember the positive impact your caregiving is bringing into the lives of those you’re caring for. We see you and your positive impact and hope that today you’ll be able to take a moment to celebrate yourself and your work.
- Keep moving. Caring for someone is often a role that requires so much time and attention being placed on the person who’s being cared for that carers can forget about themselves. Take a few moments throughout the day to stretch, go for a stroll, or take some deep breaths to prioritise yourself and your body’s needs. Remember that you can’t pour from an empty cup.
- Have a laugh. It can be difficult to find moments of lightness for carers because the weight of the responsibilities they carry can feel overwhelming. Watching or listening to something funny, connecting with a hilarious pal for a quick chat, or even just letting your mind recall a silly experience you’ve had in the past can be a way to allow levity to enter stressful spaces.
- Self-talk. Be gentle with yourself. Being a caregiver can bring an enormous amount of pressure and expectation with it. Being kind and compassionate with yourself is important in supporting you to navigate caregiving and those especially difficult moments. Talk to yourself as you would to a friend and remember everything you’ve achieved as a caregiver – you’ve got this.
- Scene change. Getting outside and into nature can be a great way to reset. Whether it’s stepping outside and taking 10 deep breaths of fresh air, going on a hill walk, or for a swim in the sea connecting with nature can be a great way for carers to recharge.
- Gather. Caregiving can be, at times, lonely. Socialising with others creates opportunities for carers to connect and reduce isolation. Whether it’s texting with friends, attending a support group, or attending a monthly book club, linking in with others is a way to support your wellbeing.
- Express yourself. Expression of feelings is an important self-care tool. Writing out what you feel in a letter you won’t send or drawing your feelings can both be helpful. Also singing along with favourite music that captures your feelings can calm the body.
- Say “Yes!” to offers of help. Carers are often reluctant to accept help. But it’s important to take breaks and receive support. Remember, many of your family and friends will want to help. It may be helpful to prepare a list, so when people ask if they can help, you can give them something to do.
Useful Resources for Carers
- Care Alliance Ireland
- Family Carers Ireland
- Carers Support (HSE)
- Supports and Services for Caring for Older People (HSE)
- Family, Carer and Supporter Guide (HSE)
- Family, Friends and Carer’s Support Groups (HSE)
- Caring for Carers (HSE)
- Carers Support Organisations
The Bereavement Support Line Is Here for You
Carers can experience grief in many forms, and many carers are living with ongoing loss. You may be experiencing grief from watching your loved one change physically, mentally, and cognitively; or seeing your loved one miss out on life and not having the future you expected for them. You may also be grieving the loss of your own freedom, as your caring duties take up more of your time.
If you’re grieving, the Bereavement Support Line is here for you. It’s a national freephone service (1800 80 70 77) available Monday to Friday, 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Our grief-trained volunteers and here to support you, provide practical supports, and signpost to further resources and services as needed.
