A Caregiver’s Bill of Rights

I have the right to:

• Take care of myself. This is not an act of selfishness. It will give me the capability of taking better care of my loved one.

• Seek help from others, even though my loved ones may object. I recognize the limits of my own endurance and strength.

• Maintain facets of my own life that do not include the person I care for, just as I would if he or she did not have a disability. I know that I do everything that I reasonably can for this family member, and I have the right to do some things just for myself.

• Get angry, be depressed, and express other difficult feelings occasionally.

• Reject any attempts by my loved one (either consciously or unconsciously) to manipulate me through guilt and/or depression.

• Receive consideration, affection, forgiveness, and acceptance for what I do, from my loved ones, for as long as I offer these qualities in return.

• Take pride in what I am accomplishing, and to applaud the courage it sometimes takes to meet the needs of my love one.

• Protect my individuality and my right to make a life for myself that will sustain me in the time when my loved one will no longer need my full-time support.

• Expect and demand that, as new strides are made in finding resources to aid those with disabilities in our country, similar strides will be made towards aiding and supporting caregivers.

Source: Caregiving by Jo Horne, 1985

For more information, contact Tri-County ILC at 458-3263 (c) or 623-3215. Tri-County ILC provides programs/services at no cost to “Enhance Independence in People with Disabilities”.