News Release

Take Time For Yourself: Tips For Caregivers

DES MOINES, Iowa – A growing number of Americans are being called on to be a caregiver. A 2009 National Alliance for Caregiving study says 67.1 million people—31 percent of all households—are caregivers, providing on average 20 hours of care per week.

While many family caregivers don’t receive financial compensation for their efforts, that doesn’t mean their services are without cost. Being a caregiver can affect income, advancement and retirement benefits. Plus, employees caring for an older relative often have more health problems themselves.

ARAG, a global leader of legal insurance, offers the following tips for caregivers:

• Take care of yourself. Get enough rest, eat properly and exercise.
• Don’t try to do it all. Share caregiving duties with family members or friends who are willing to help.
• Take some time for yourself—read a book, go out to dinner, spend an evening with friends, engage in a hobby or activity that helps renew your spirit.
• Join a support group of people with similar interests or concerns about the caregiving experience. Many helpful resources are available online or through agencies and organizations.
• Be sensitive to signs of stress or fatigue, such as changes in personal habits or use of alcohol or prescription/nonprescription medications.
• Listen to family and friends who have your best interest at heart if they express concern. Check with a medical or mental health professional.
• Protect yourself and your loved ones. Discuss and plan for family, health, home or other financial or legal concerns. An ARAG-Russell Research study, “Legal Needs of Today’s Multi-Generational Workforce,” reported that caring for an aging family member is one of the 10 legal related events most often experienced by Americans.
• Don’t be afraid to speak to your employer about your caregiver obligations and find out if support services such as an employee assistance program or a legal plan are available to address caregiving and legal-related needs.

For example, ARAG Caregiving Services can provide legal plan members with advice and consultation for elder law concerns, annual legal checkups to address legal needs, and online tools and resources, as well as caregiving support services to assess needs, develop plans and provide information, ratings and reports on caregiving facilities.

About ARAG
ARAG, www.ARAGgroup.com, has an international premium base of almost $2 billion and protects 15.5 million individuals and their families – worldwide. ARAG offers comprehensive legal plans that provide a smart and trusted path for resolving legal issues. This enables people to protect their families, finances and futures.