PARTNERS IN CARE
Caring is often a two way street and this is more accurately captured by the term "care partner." A partnership is characterized by mutual cooperation. There are opportunities to give as well as receive by the person with a chronic disease as well as their partner.
beyond caregiving
What is a Care Partner?
The term "care partner" is a more inclusive term than caregiver and words do matter. Care Partner evokes a mutual sense of purpose as each person in the partnership has a role in the care and support provided.
This initiative includes:
- Tips for chronic migraine Care Partners, including self-care tips, tips & suggestions, how to help, how to get involved with Rally Against Chronic Migraine, and further resources
- Join our Facebook Care Partner Support Group
- Register for our new Care Partner Support Group
Dennis (Care Partner) and Jeannette Rotondi (Lives with Migraine) at a Miles for Migraine event
Below are some helpful self-care tips as you Partner in Care:
🟣Seek support from other Care Partners.
- Find a support group
- Look into resources for Care Partners - this link takes you to the Global Healthy Living Foundation
- Look into Care Partner services, such as transportation, grocery or meal delivery, housekeeping
🟣Take care of your health
- Set personal health goals to establish a good sleep routine, time to be physically active, eat healthy and stay hydrated.
- See your own doctor
🟣Accept offers of help
- Suggest specific things people can do to help
🟣Learn effective ways to communicate with doctors
🟣Practice self-care and take respite breaks often
🟣Take care of your mental health, watch out for signs of depression and anxiety.
- Do not put off seeking out a therapist.
🟣Give yourself credit for doing the best you can
- Focus on what you are able to provide
🟣Become educated on chronic migraine disease
🟣Seek social support
- Stay connected with family or friends that can offer non-judgemental emotional support
🟣Don’t forget to have fun
- Take advantage of your loved one’s better days and have some fun, whether it is taking a stroll, watching a movie etc
🟣Set realistic goals
- Prioritize what is most important
- Break up large tasks into smaller steps
- Give yourself permission to say no to requests that are draining, such as hosting a holiday party.
- Self-empathy is just as important as empathy for the patient. Your feelings are valid.
Stephen Carrasco (Care Partner), Erica & son Noah (both live w/Migraine) at Headache on the Hill 20
Do Not - Offer unsolicited advice
Do - Listen
- Reflective listening is a type of listening that is very helpful. This type of listening involves hearing and understanding as well as letting the person know they are heard and understood.
Do Not - Give a guilt trip
Do - Give space
- Allow your loved one space to feel and process their feelings as well as a safe comfortable physical space when having a migraine attack.
Do Not - Judge
Do - Have empathy
- Listen and validate your loved one’s feelings and experience
Do - Have a sense of humor
Humor is a wonderful coping skill for everyone as they live a new normal with migraine disease.