1.  Most importantly, find a support person. This means getting help caring for your in-need parent, relative, or patient. In terms of support, call on and get firm commitments from other family members, friends, and neighbors. If possible, hire additional help or take advantage of volunteer services so that the responsibility doesn't land totally on your shoulders. If money is an issue, most communities offer some form of assistance and support. Hospital social workers are a great source for referrals to agencies offering help.

    2.  To reduce your stress level, take good care of your own self. (Remember the airlines slogan). In terms of helping yourself, find someone who will just listen so you can vent and share your trials and tribulations. Don't abandon your self-care activities. Don't indulge addictions such as sugar, alcohol, coffee, or burning the candle at both ends. Exercise regularly. Eat well. Keep in touch with friends.

    3.  Speak up constructively when encountering conflicts. Deal only with the issue at hand. You must avoid bringing in past unresolved problems and stick to the present. Deal with one issue at a time and speak up about yourself. The worst thing you can do is to "you" the other person by accusing or blaming. That means, don't tell others about themselves, what they did wrong or how they are at fault.

          Stick to talking about what is true for you. State what your opinions, needs, and wants are about the one specific topic. In resolving conflicts, all parties need to have an uninterrupted opportunity to speak about what is true for them. This can pave the way towards finding a common ground on which you can begin to find a solution.

       Care-giving necessitates a selflessness, the degree to which will vary dependent on many situational factors, and this can be draining. You sacrifice needed time and emotional involvement. Left unresolved, this stress impacts a care-givers emotional and physical well being.