Staying healthy while caring for an older adult requires regular self-care to recharge and de-stress. But it can be tough to find time to care for yourself. Suzanne Blankenship offers six practical suggestions to help you organize tasks, reduce your To Do list, and become more efficient.
Caring for an aging parent or relative is hard work, and it can take an emotional toll on people, too.
The responsibility of eldercare cuts into time with your spouse, time at work, hobby time, and – especially with the Sandwich Generation – time with your kids. But most often, it's the time you take for yourself that really takes a toll.
Self care for the caregiver is essential. It helps keep your mind, your feelings, and your attitude refreshed.
But how do you squeeze out time for yourself? Here are some suggestions.
Self-Care Tips for Caregivers in 2026
Get Organized
Use organizational tools to group together time commitments, regular outings, doctor appointments, etc.
For example, make doctor and therapy appointments on the same day. Order medications all at once. Pay bills with auto-pay or group due dates together so that only one bill-pay session is needed.
Visit at the same time every week or every two weeks – ask your elder to make a list of items for you to do that day (rather than calling you every time they think of something). If needed, get them a “TO DO” pad.
Add Something Fun to the Daily Routine
After the doctor appointments, take your elder out for lunch, to see a movie, for a mall shopping trip, or to the library.
Do something YOU like, not just something your loved one mights like. This lowers the stress level from “routine” eldercare.
Share the Caregiving Duties with Family Members
Sit down with family members and spread out the tasks. Even siblings who live distantly can help – they can pay bills, coordinate care, make appointments, etc.
When they come to town, they can run some of the routine errands too. Something simple, like a week off with no eldercare, can refresh caregivers.
Get Help with Home Care Duties
Contract with a lawn maintenance service, get a house cleaner, hire a sitter for your loved one during the day, and find an automated medication dispenser.
There are ways to spread the work among helpers that are reasonable in cost yet dramatic in the time they free up for you.
Delay the Housework Till You Have Spare Time
Make sure your parent knows that you will help with tasks, chores, and errands – but only at a specific time or on a preset day. Being available all the time for random requests is stressful and a time-waster.
Reward Yourself For All You're Doing
Find some way to reward yourself when your cup is overflowing with eldercare and life’s other responsibilities. Take a walk around the lake, go to the gym, run with the dog, get a pedicure, watch your favorite tv show, or just sit and breathe.
This is hard work, and you deserve your recharge time. Only you can make it happen. You will be a better caregiver when you have made time to take care of yourself. Now, I’m off to play a game of solitaire…
Final Thoughts on Self-Care for Caregivers
As you navigate the demanding journey of caregiving, remember that giving yourself a “hall pass” isn't a luxury; it's a vital part of providing the best care for your loved one.
By taking even small steps to organize, share responsibilities, and intentionally schedule moments for yourself, you're not stepping away from your duties; you're ensuring you have the energy and resilience to continue them.
So pick just one of these practical tips to try this week. You have truly earned that time to recharge, and both you and the person you care for will be better for it.
You might also like:
— 3 Ways to Let Go of Guilt and Get Help with Caregiving
— 6 Ways to Stop Judging Yourself as a Caregiver
— 2 Ways to Manage Caregiver Emotional Stress: Tips from a Social Worker
Guest contributor: Suzanne Blankenship guides you through the journey of eldercare with practical tips, proven tools, and a spoonful of laughter — all in a book you can read in one night. In her second decade of eldercare, Suzanne brings her experience to audiences across the country as a speaker, eldercare expert, and author of How To Take Care of Old People Without Losing Your Marbles.
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About the Author
Connie is the founder of DailyCaring.com and was a hands-on caregiver for her grandmother for 20 years. (Grandma made it to 101 years old!) She knows how challenging, overwhelming, and all-consuming caring for an older adult can be. She also understands the importance of support, especially in the form of practical solutions, valuable resources, and self-care tips.
