Caring Today magazine and Home Instead Senior Care have teamed up to offer the 2008 "Give a Caregiver a Break" Essay Contest. If you like to write, this could be a great opportunity for you to share your story. In 500 words or less, describe your day-to-day experiences of caregiving, including how you've embraced your role as a caregiver, how it's affected you, how you've inspired others, and how respite (short-term breaks from caregiving) would make a difference in your life.

Entries must be submitted by July 16, 2008 (instructions are provided here). The Grand Prize winner will receive $5000 in respite care (in-home companionship, supervision, and related services), two First Prize winners will receive $2500 in respite care, and 12 Extraordinary Caregiver Award winners will receive $500 in respite care from a local Home Instead Senior Care agency.

If you're caring for your loved one with Alzheimer's or a related dementia, it's important for you to take a break from caregiving at least a few hours a week. It's essential for your physical and emotional health, and it helps prevent caregiver burnout. I applaud Caring Today and Home Instead Senior Care for offering this essay contest with very valuable prizes.

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This is a special day for individuals with Alzheimer's and caregivers who are also mothers. I wish you a restful, peaceful day spent with family and filled with the knowledge that you are loved.

If you're caring for a mother with Alzheimer's, this might be a difficult day for you. Try to find an activity that you both enjoy and that can be adapted to your mother's current abilities. If you're caring for your mother and you're a mother yourself, let your children give you a gift of respite by caring for their grandmother so you can take a little break. Even short periods of rest can be rejuvenating and beneficial to your emotional and physical well-being.

Suggested Reading:

• Alzheimer's Activity Ideas
• Caregiver Coping Techniques
• Avoiding Caregiver Burnout

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