--- title: 6 Ways Caregivers Can Support Themselves description: 6 Things Caregivers Should Do to Support Themselves image: https://info.summusglobal.com/hubfs/Copy%20of%20Blog%20Header%20Image_1200x400%20-%202025-10-29T103407.833-1.png --- [Skip to content](https://info.summusglobal.com/summus-member-resources/6-things-caregivers-should-do-for-themselves#main-content) [![Summus](https://info.summusglobal.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Summus_logos/summus2023_horizontal_rgb_600_72.png?width=200&height=37&name=summus2023_horizontal_rgb_600_72.png "Summus")](https://www.summusglobal.com/) [Log In](https://app.summusglobal.com/Login) October 01, 2023 # 6 Ways Caregivers Can Support Themselves ![Picture of Sue Marchal, LCSW, Senior Social Worker at New York-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center](https://info.summusglobal.com/hs-fs/hubfs/email_headshots/Susan%20Marchal.png?width=50&name=Susan%20Marchal.png) [Sue Marchal, LCSW, Senior Social Worker at New York-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center](https://info.summusglobal.com/summus-member-resources/author/sue-marchal-lcsw-senior-social-worker-at-new-york-presbyterian-weill-cornell-medical-center) [Share this page on Facebook](mailto:?body=https://info.summusglobal.com/summus-member-resources/6-things-caregivers-should-do-for-themselves) #### ![Copy of Blog Header Image\_1200x400 - 2025-10-29T103407.833-1](https://info.summusglobal.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Copy%20of%20Blog%20Header%20Image_1200x400%20-%202025-10-29T103407.833-1.png?width=960&height=320&name=Copy%20of%20Blog%20Header%20Image_1200x400%20-%202025-10-29T103407.833-1.png) Caring for a loved one through a medical diagnosis or as they grow older can be deeply meaningful, but it also places significant emotional and physical demands on the caregiver. It is both a rewarding and challenging role, and it is normal to experience both emotional distress and psychological satisfaction while providing care. Here's how those who dedicate themselves to their loved ones every day can care for themselves, too. 1\. Be Open Allow your loved one to share how they feel. It is important for them to be able to share their bad days, and for them to have the space they need so they do not feel they need to always stay positive. 2\. Maintain Your Own Health Be sure to keep your own appointments, practice relaxation such as deep breathing, gentle movement and take mini breaks – even if it is just a walk around the block. 3\. Make Time for Yourself You are not selfish. Do things that bring you joy. You can best take care of others if you are taking good care of yourself. 4\. Practice Self Compassion It is okay to grieve loss and to let go of the guilt you may have of being healthy yourself or not always being the perfect caregiver. You are doing the best you can. 5\. Keep a Journal It is normal for you to feel more emotional than usual. It is helpful to identify thoughts and feelings, so you can deal with them better. 6\. Stay Connected It is important to stay close to family, friends, and other caregiver support groups. Don’t be afraid to ask for and accept help from family and friends. It is important to remember that many of us feel more comfortable providing help than asking for it, but during our lifespan we will likely have the opportunity to practice both. If you or a loved one are navigating a difficult diagnosis or need caregiver support, Summus can help. Reach out through your [Summus Dashboard](http://www.summusglobal.com/dashboard) to get started. > **Questions?**   1-917-565-8540  |  [partners@summusglobal.com](mailto:partners@summusglobal.com)  |  [http://www.summusglobal.com/dashboard](http://www.summusglobal.com/dashboard) [Expert Tips](https://info.summusglobal.com/summus-member-resources/tag/expert-tips), [Cancer](https://info.summusglobal.com/summus-member-resources/tag/cancer), [Caregiving](https://info.summusglobal.com/summus-member-resources/tag/caregiving), [Geriatrics](https://info.summusglobal.com/summus-member-resources/tag/geriatrics) ## Related posts [![](https://info.summusglobal.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Copy%20of%20Blog%20Header%20Image_1200x400%20-%202026-05-29T103544.521.png?height=200&name=Copy%20of%20Blog%20Header%20Image_1200x400%20-%202026-05-29T103544.521.png)](https://info.summusglobal.com/summus-member-resources/5-things-to-know-about-prostate-cancer-screening-and-early-detection) ## [What You Need to Know: Prostate Cancer Screening and Early Detection](https://info.summusglobal.com/summus-member-resources/5-things-to-know-about-prostate-cancer-screening-and-early-detection) ![Picture of Judd W Moul, MD, FACS, Professor of Urology, Duke Cancer Institute](https://info.summusglobal.com/hs-fs/hubfs/email_headshots/judd_moul.png?width=50&name=judd_moul.png) [Judd W Moul, MD, FACS, Professor of Urology, Duke Cancer Institute](https://info.summusglobal.com/summus-member-resources/author/judd-w-moul-md-facs-professor-of-urology-duke-cancer-institute) Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer in men, but when caught early, it's highly... [Read more](https://info.summusglobal.com/summus-member-resources/5-things-to-know-about-prostate-cancer-screening-and-early-detection) [![](https://info.summusglobal.com/hs-fs/hubfs/blog_graphics/senior_endoflife_1200x400.jpg?height=200&name=senior_endoflife_1200x400.jpg)](https://info.summusglobal.com/summus-member-resources/meet-the-expert-goals-of-care-discussions) ## [Establishing Goals of Care: Q+A with Dr. Jeffrey Komisarof](https://info.summusglobal.com/summus-member-resources/meet-the-expert-goals-of-care-discussions) ![Picture of Summus](https://info.summusglobal.com/hs-fs/hubfs/summus2023_logomark_600.png?width=50&name=summus2023_logomark_600.png) [Summus](https://info.summusglobal.com/summus-member-resources/author/summus) "It is of the utmost importance to respect the principle of patient autonomy, so our loved ones can... [Read more](https://info.summusglobal.com/summus-member-resources/meet-the-expert-goals-of-care-discussions) [![](https://info.summusglobal.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Common%20Cardiovascular%20Disease_1200x400.png?height=200&name=Common%20Cardiovascular%20Disease_1200x400.png)](https://info.summusglobal.com/summus-member-resources/understanding-common-cardiovascular-diseases) ## [Understanding Common Cardiovascular Diseases](https://info.summusglobal.com/summus-member-resources/understanding-common-cardiovascular-diseases) ![Picture of Nancy Creech, MD, SVP of Clinical Operations at Summus](https://info.summusglobal.com/hs-fs/hubfs/email_headshots/nancy_creech.png?width=50&name=nancy_creech.png) [Nancy Creech, MD, SVP of Clinical Operations at Summus](https://info.summusglobal.com/summus-member-resources/author/nancy-creech-md-vp-of-clinical-operations) Your heart is a vital organ that pumps blood, oxygen, and nutrients to every part of your body.... [Read more](https://info.summusglobal.com/summus-member-resources/understanding-common-cardiovascular-diseases) [Follow us on LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/company/summus-inc./) [Follow us on Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/people/Summus-Global/61556820732995/) [Follow us on Facebook](https://www.instagram.com/summusglobal/) [Email Summus](mailto:partners@summusglobal.com) Summus 10 East 40th Street, Suite 1910, New York, NY 10016    |    +1 917.565.8540 ©2026, Summus Global, Inc. ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Sue Marchal, LCSW, Senior Social Worker at New York-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center", "url" : "https://info.summusglobal.com/summus-member-resources/author/sue-marchal-lcsw-senior-social-worker-at-new-york-presbyterian-weill-cornell-medical-center" }, "dateModified" : "2025-10-29T16:00:00.345Z", "datePublished" : "2023-10-01T14:00:00.000Z", "headline" : "6 Ways Caregivers Can Support Themselves", "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://info.summusglobal.com/summus-member-resources/6-things-caregivers-should-do-for-themselves", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://info.summusglobal.com/hubfs/Summus_logos/summus2023_horizontal_rgb300_1916x343.png" }, "name" : "Summus Global" } } ```