Risk-free, no obligation consultation

Blog

The Seven Pillars of Self-Care for Caregivers

September 6, 2023
A mature woman who understands the importance of self-care for caregivers relaxes on a comfortable chair with pillows while holding a cup of coffee.

There are seven types of self-care for caregivers that are crucial to maintaining a healthy life balance.


On any given day, your role as family caregiver may involve helping a senior loved one get up and dressed, preparing breakfast, providing transportation to appointments or an exercise class, taking care of housework and laundry, ensuring safety from a fall, managing medications…all before lunchtime. And the day only continues to get more hectic from there. As night falls, you may be too exhausted to do anything more than sink into bed. Who has time for self-care?

September is National Self-Care Awareness Month, the perfect time to start making it a priority to take care of yourself with the same compassion and commitment you provide to the senior family member you care for. Self-care for caregivers is vitally important both for the person providing care and the one receiving it.

How Can You Fit Self-Care Into Your Busy Schedule?

First, take a moment to gauge how well you score on these seven pillars of self-care to see where you may need to carve out extra time in order to maintain a healthy life balance:

  1. Physical Self-Care: Are you getting enough rest, eating healthy, and staying physically active?
  2. Emotional Self-Care: How are you handling stress? Do you take time for calming activities? Do you know how to set boundaries and say “no” when necessary?
  3. Mental Self-Care: What outlet do you have for your thoughts? Are you staying curious and learning new things? Are you taking breaks from your phone and other electronics?
  4. Social Self-Care: What relationships do you have outside of your caregiving role? Are you taking time to stay connected and to nurture those relationships?
  5. Environmental Self-Care: How would you describe your living environment: calming, cluttered? Are you spending time outdoors?
  6. Spiritual Self-Care: Do you have the time you need to attend and get involved with a church, synagogue, or other religious organization? Have you found a sense of community that aligns with your spiritual needs and viewpoints?
  7. Recreational Self-Care: What hobbies and fun pastimes are you interested in? How much time do you dedicate to enjoying them?

Home Care to the Rescue!

If you’re like most family caregivers, you’re probably not able to dedicate the time needed to one or more of the areas above. The good news is that help is available!

In-home respite care is the perfect solution to help ensure self-care for family caregivers and support for the seniors they love. Our fully trained and experienced caregivers can step in while you step away on a regular basis to take care of your health and wellbeing. Your family member will benefit as well from the additional opportunity for socialization from a carefully matched, friendly caregiving companion.

Contact us at 800-298-5140 to find out more about how in-home senior care from Home Matters Caregiving can provide you with the lifeline you need to enjoy a healthier quality of life.  To see if our services are available in your area, visit our Locations page.

Share this article
About the author

Tyler Williams

As an Area Owner and Operator of a Home Matters Caregiving franchise, I am committed to ensuring exceptional outcomes for our valued clients and caregivers. My passion for elevating our service quality is matched by my role as a blogger and social media manager for the franchise, where I share insights, updates, and foster community engagement. Prior to senior care, I used my strategic communication and brand development skills as the Marketing Director of a regional bank. My diverse experience supports my commitment to excellence and innovation in both healthcare and digital communication.
Related Posts

Looking for Senior Care Franchise?

Home Matters Caregiving

Customer care
5.0

Based on 340 Google reviews

“I love how supportive and dependable Home Matters was for my Grandmother during the time we had their services. Their caregivers are dependable and very attentive to their clients!”
Tiffany C
“We had some hiccups with another agency and then found Home Matters through a friend! They made sure we were heard and their scheduling team is very communicative! Very happy with HMC!”
Joshua Clasberry
“I am so grateful. All staff members were friendly, courteous and kind. I would recommend them to everyone that needs help in their home! They are rock stars!!!”
Kathleen Light
“Home Matters Caregiving has been taking care of my mother full time now for over 3 years. They are committed to helping people and always work hard to find the best caregivers possible.”
Pam Knell