Health and Wellbeing Carers Get Together – “Listen Laugh and Learn. Share your thoughts with Noeline Brown”

Burnt chops are not for me……!!! But finding time for me is ……words to remember

November 17th 2011 saw Suncare host its first Health and Wellbeing Forum. It’s hard to remember all the inspiring moments that occurred through the day; with some being public shared by Noeline Brown, Angela Huntsman and the carer’s panel, and some being much more private and intimate around individual tables.

It was a day of laughter and learning where some of the information carers have heard before, but this time it was delivered in a different way where it hit home for some on the importance of not only focusing on caring for loved ones but to look after yourselves as carers as well.

The carer’s panel shared their stories thoughtfully and beautifully reminding carers that… “This is your journey….and you need to look at ways to maintain your own life and to see the options are there for you to still have your own lives while being a carer”.

Angela reminded us of the 3 buckets autonomy: to take control over the things that you can control, competence: to never stop learning and stimulating and challenging yourself as a sense of accomplishment is very rewarding, and connectedness: to maintain or renew those friendships even if the housework isn’t done and make the time for social contact and outings.

Noelines  inspiring words and direction came from her own experiences as a carer for Graham Kennedy and reminded us all that the carer is the most important person in the home, where one carer joked ”without me you’re cactus!”.

Noeline stated give yourself permission to value your own life and know that it makes you a better carer if you are well looked after yourself……acknowledge the guilt, work through it and take the time for you. Ask for help, find local support and remember family and friends are there for you.   Your loved one is better cared for when your own Health & Wellbeing is better cared for!

Noeline prompted carers to remember that “loved ones wouldn’t get by without you” and that is why “carers need to eat well, get a bit of exercise and of course get some time for themselves”.

Carers need to make themselves a priority and not to sacrifice their own physical and emotional needs……., the burnt chop is not good enough for you!

Recapture inspiring moments of the day by viewing the video link and find ways that you can support your own Health and Wellbeing.  Suncare can assist carers to find ways to look after their Health and Wellbeing by providing information, linking to resources, and developing workshops  to enable carers to take time for themselves.