When Was the Last Time Someone Asked How You’re Doing? 

When Was the Last Time Someone Asked How You’re Doing? 

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July 24th is National Self-Care Day – Caregivers, How Are You Doing? 

When you love someone living with dementia, your days often revolve around everyone else’s needs. 

Did they eat? 
Did they sleep? 
Are they comfortable? 
Did they remember their medication? 
How are they feeling today? 

You become an expert at noticing the smallest changes in someone you love. 
But somewhere along the way, it’s easy to stop noticing the changes in yourself. 
You tell yourself you’re “just tired.” 
You postpone your own doctor’s appointment. 
You skip lunch because there isn’t time. 
You stop calling friends because it’s easier to stay home. 
You convince yourself you’ll rest “when things settle down.” 
For many caregivers, they never really do. 

The Caregiver No One Is Caring For 

National Self-Care Day (July 24) is often associated with bubble baths, spa days, and indulgence. 
For caregivers, self-care looks very different. 
It’s finally scheduling the physical you’ve been putting off. 
It’s saying yes when someone offers to stay with your loved one for two hours. 
It’s going for a walk. 
It’s sleeping through the night. 
It’s asking for help without apologizing. 
Because self-care isn’t about escaping your responsibilities. 
It’s about protecting your ability to continue showing up with love. 

Caregivers Need Care, Too 

More than 53 million Americans provide unpaid care for a loved one each year. While caregiving can be one of life’s most meaningful roles, it also carries significant emotional and physical demands. 

Research consistently shows that caregivers experience higher rates of: 

The National Institute on Aging reminds caregivers that prioritizing their own health isn’t selfish – it directly improves their ability to provide compassionate, sustainable care. 

Think of it this way: 

The goal isn’t to become less devoted. 
The goal is to become more resilient. 

Guilt Is One of Caregiving’s Biggest Burdens 

Many caregivers quietly carry guilt. 

“If I leave for an afternoon, what if they need me?” 
“No one can care for them like I can.” 
“I should be able to do this.” 

But here’s something worth remembering: 

Your loved one doesn’t need a perfect caregiver. 
They need a healthy one. 
Taking a break isn’t abandoning someone you love. 
It’s ensuring you’ll have the emotional and physical capacity to keep loving them tomorrow. 

Five Small Acts of Self-Care That Actually Matter 

Self-care doesn’t have to mean taking a vacation. 

Sometimes it looks like: 

Small moments of restoration create resilience over time. 

You Deserve the Same Compassion You Freely Give 

At Artis Senior Living, we see the incredible love that family caregivers bring every day. 

We also see the sacrifices. The late nights. The difficult decisions. The quiet exhaustion that often goes unseen. This National Self-Care Day, we want to ask a simple question that caregivers rarely hear: 

How are you doing? 

Not as the daughter. 
Not as the husband. 
Not as the care partner. 
As a person. 
Because your well-being matters, too. 

The more you care for yourself, the more fully you’re able to care for the person you love. And that’s something worth celebrating – not just on National Self-Care Day, but every day. 

Learn More 

If you’re caring for a loved one living with dementia and wondering whether it may be time for additional support, Artis Senior Living is here to help. Our communities partner with families every day to ensure residents – and the people who love them – can thrive together. 

Schedule a visit to learn how we support the whole family throughout the dementia journey.

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