This document discusses caregiver self-care and compassion fatigue experienced by caregivers. It defines a caregiver as someone who provides care for someone unable to care for themselves. Compassion fatigue is a condition of chronic exhaustion resulting from caring for another with a serious illness over an extended time, experienced mentally, emotionally, physically or spiritually. Symptoms include feeling worn out, stressed, overwhelmed, angry, depressed, difficulty sleeping or focusing. Reasons for lack of self-care include guilt, unrealistic expectations, lack of support, and manipulation. Principles of self-care include assessing one's own needs and those of the care receiver to determine what care can be provided while still meeting one's own needs. The importance of caregiver