Preventing Caregiver Exhaustion
     • Understand that some fatigue is inevitable.
     • Monitor and maintain your own health.
     • Utilize community respite resources.
     • Learn your own limitations.
     • Don’t be afraid to ask for help.
     • Understand that asking for help is not a sign of weakness.
     • Join a local support group for caregivers.

Emotional Recovery
     • Although your focus is on the injured loved ones, remember and accept that all family members have been traumatized.
     • Learn to be comfortable expressing the normal feelings of sadness, anger, guilt and helplessness.
     • Stay in good physical condition with proper nutrition and rest.
     • Maintain social relationships.
     • Spend time with people who love you and will nurture you.

Financial Recovery
     • Explore all resources, including special components of medical and auto insurance policies.
     • Apply for Social Security Disability benefits from the Social Security       Administration at www.ssa.gov/disability.
     • Apply for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) through the Social Security Administration at www.ssa.gov/notices/supplemental-security-income.
     • Apply for funds from State Victim Compensation Funds, which can help defray medical, transportation and childcare expenses at: www.state.ga.us/cjcc/victimscomp.html.  In Maryland, call 1-888-679-9347, TTY/TDD 1-800-735-2258, or www.dpscs.state.md.us/cicb.
     • Try negotiating payment schedules with medical providers. 
     • Do not sign any papers accepting “payment in full” without knowing the extent of future medical care costs.
     • Consult an attorney to understand civil justice remedies.

We must not, in trying to think about how we can make a big difference, ignore the small daily differences we can make which, over time, add up to big differences that we often cannot foresee.  ~Marion Wright Edelman