Area Agency on Aging (AAA)

Caregivers

Caregivers' Bill of Rights

I Have The Right To:

• Take care of myself. This is not selfish. This enables me to take better care of my loved one.
• To recognize my limits and seek help from other.
• To protect my individuality and my right to maintain facets of my life that are separate from my loved one.
• To take pride in my courage and what I do to meet my loved one's needs.
• To allow myself to recognize, accept and express my emotions including anger, sadness, and fear.
• To receive consideration, affection and acceptance for my loved one's care, just as I offer all of these to my loved one.
• To reject any attempt by my loved one (either conscious or unconscious) to manipulate me through guilt, anger or depression.
• To expect that community resources will be there to aid and support me in my efforts to care for my loved one.

Adapted from Caregiving: Helping An Aging Loved One (AARP Books, 1985) by Jo Horne.