By Leah Brignall

When you take on the role of caretaker for a loved one, it is important to find support for yourself. Although there are great sides of being a caretaker, it can also sometimes be stressful and draining. By making sure you keep yourself physically and mentally healthy, you will better be able to help support your loved one.

One way to gain support is by joining a group of people who are in a similar situation. It can help to be able to share stories and insight. This website might help you to find a group that is right for you. There are also many virtual groups on social media sights like Facebook. Meetup is a resource that has groups of people looking to gather for events. Joining others who have similar hobbies for a fun event can be a good stress reliever. As always, it is important to be cautious when meeting in person with any individual or group that you find online. Use your best judgement!

If the pressure  of care taking is starting to get overwhelming, it is always a good idea to contact a professional for help. A psychologist or counselor can help you to manage stress and difficult emotions while planning for the future.