(KMAland) — September is Self-Care Awareness Month and the American Heart Association in Missouri is urging caregivers to take some much-needed time for themselves.
Missouri has around 600,000 family caregivers, many of whom provide unpaid care to loved ones with heart disease, cardiac events and other debilitating illnesses. The emotional and physical toll can be severe, with 21% of caregivers reporting their own health has declined.
Dr. Ravi Johar, chief medical officer for UnitedHealthcare and a board member of the American Heart Association of St. Louis, wants caregivers to understand proper self-care is not selfish…