Topic Tuesday // Self Care for Carers // Tues 20th July, 7:00-8:30PM AEST

[greenpea]

have son2 with me so cannot make it unfortunately.

[znp]

100%

[Mindy911]

✨Oh sorry I just realised you are also in lockdown✨😢Its understandable you must be finding it hard to take time out✨Do you have internet I do yoga with my sister on video lol she is in the UK

[Daisydreamer]

Hi @greenpea No worries at all! You are more than welcome to look back through this discussion at a later time

[bipolarbunny]

I know I'm close to burnout when my therapy sessions become vent sessions about my mum instead of being about my healing. My therapist is amazing, such a great support and apart from the forums my only support really. 

@Shaz51  Yes my mum is the same, would never admit she is declining mentally, snows and charms all the doctors into giving her a good report. Truth is she is showing signs of early dementia. I'm terrified of what she is going to be like in a few years. As narcissists get worse as they age. 

[Daisydreamer]

Question 5 for @Shaz51 and the community: How do you balance your needs as a carer with the needs of the person/s you care for?

[znp]

For those who can access it, publicly or privately, I recommend Cognitive Behaviour Therapy. It saved me last year and has been a big part of my coping since. You can learn from books also but groups was great for me. I learned a great many skills which help me navigate things.

[bipolarbunny]

@Mindy911 Thankfully my aunts are wonderful. I can take her to both her sisters if I need a break. She was supposed to go to her sisters today for a fortnight but lockdown put an end to that. 

[Shaz51]

Question 5 for @Shaz51 and the community: How do you balance your needs as a carer with the needs of the person/s you care for?

Taking time off

Finding time to do things you enjoy together like taking photos

, going to the beach
Also if you see yourself or the one you care for are showing signs, this is when you need time to step back and have time off  

for us being self-employed , I will rearrange my diary to have the afternoon off or the weekend to do something different

to have healthy foods 

[Shaz51]

Question 5 for @Shaz51 and the community: How do you balance your needs as a carer with the needs of the person/s you care for?

[Daisydreamer]

Lockdown has definitely added an extra level of complexity for support for carers @bipolarbunny That's a really tough space to be in when you are looking for more support