A Caregiver’s Rights

Being a caregiver does not mean that you have to give up your own rights! The following are included in a Caregiver's Bill of Rights, as formulated by Dr. Virginia Flagg.
A caregiver has the right to:

• Honest communication with the patient, his/her friends, family, and other caregivers.
• Express opinions and suggestions when appropriate.
• Expect the patient to make as many decisions and put affairs in order as much as possible.
• Make reasonable requests of the patient.
• Take care of his/her own needs without guilt.
• Express emotions in front of the patient.
• Acknowledge his/her limitations and obtain assistance from outside resources.
• Continue maintaining relationships and activities outside the caregiving role.
• Not take responsibility for decisions and actions made by the patient.

With pragmatic planning, acquiring help from others and adhering to a commitment to devote time to yourself, you can emerge as a successful and happy caregiver. And don't forget that you'll be setting an example for your children, so that when it's time for them to take care of you when you become old, they'll do a good job too !