When you become a caregiver, someone is counting on you. The best way to ensure you don't let them down is to take care of yourself. This means eating right, getting adequate rest, building exercise into your schedule, and keeping up with your own medical appointments. You also need to free up time for yourself whenever you can. You not only deserve a break; you need one. Take a deep breath. Make time each day to do the things you really enjoy. Allow yourself time to nurture other relationships, by doing this you will restore your energy and focus, enabling you to better cope with the challenging tasks at hand.

For many women -- whom I dub the "INVISIBLE WOMAN" -- the biggest issue is that her own needs and passions are ignored and no one if looking out for her well being and best interests. She is seen only as a driver, a banker, a housekeeper -- the caregiving roles she fills to make everyone else happy.

For other women, the biggest issue is money. Suddenly, a single career woman, or divorced mother, for example, is faced with the financial burden of caring for an aging parent who never made the financial plans necessary to care for themselves long term.