Being a family caregiver can be a full-time job, and the responsibilities and time commitments can leave you feeling stressed and overwhelmed. While these may seem like inevitable side effects of caregiving, neglecting your personal health can lead to prolonged depression and health complications that threaten not only your physical and emotional health but also the level of care you provide to your aging loved one. Here are five simple ways you can monitor and boost your health.
1. Maintain a Healthy Diet
Eating well may seem like the last of your priorities, but a healthy diet can give you the energy boost you need to keep up with your caregiving responsibilities. In addition to eating plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins, it’s important to limit your intake of salt and saturated fats. To save time, prepare nutritious meals in large quantities and freeze them so you can quickly thaw, heat, and eat your meals when you’re crunched for time.
2. Don’t Skimp on Sleep
When the body doesn’t get enough sleep, the immune response weakens. Lack of sleep can also increase the risk of illness, irritability, and forgetfulness. Caregivers should aim for 7–8 hours of rest each night and look into 24-hour care if their aging loved ones’ needs interfere with continuous sleep at night.
Hiring a professional caregiver can allow you to take a break from your caregiving duties to focus on your health and wellbeing. If you’re the primary family caregiver for an elderly loved one and need additional assistance providing high-quality homecare, Home Care Assistance can help. We are a leading home care agency committed to changing the way seniors age.
3. Enjoy Daily Exercise
Along with helping you sleep better at night, exercising on a regular basis can brighten your mood and lessen stress. Engage in exercise you enjoy doing, some of which can even be done with your loved one. A simple walk around the block with your loved one is a great way to get your blood flowing while promoting positive exercise habits for both of you.
4. Take Time for Yourself
Maintaining a balanced lifestyle is an important component of staying healthy while caregiving. Just because you’ve taken on the caregiving role doesn’t mean you have to let your other roles fall by the wayside. Make time to continue enjoying your favorite pastimes, and don’t neglect your friends and family. Socializing and staying engaged with the world around you can help you fight feelings of isolation and loneliness.
Family caregivers need to care for their own wellbeing. If you’re caring for an aging loved one and are feeling overwhelmed, consider hiring a professional caregiver to provide respite care. Anchorage families who want to prevent burnout can turn to Home Care Assistance. One of our professional caregivers can assist your loved one at home while you take a nap, go to work, run errands, or go on vacation.
5. Ask for Help
Don’t try to be a caregiver 24/7, as doing so can take a toll on your health and lead to emotional problems, including depression. Give yourself a much-deserved break by asking a family member to provide assistance. If you don’t know someone who’s willing to help you, seek the services of a reliable home caregiver. This way, you can enjoy peace of mind knowing your loved one is in caring and professional hands in your absence.
Seniors can face a variety of age-related challenges. Though some families choose to take on the caregiving duties, there may come a time when they need a trusted Anchorage senior home care provider. Families sometimes need respite from their duties so they can focus on their other responsibilities, and some seniors need around-the-clock assistance that their families are not able to provide. Home Care Assistance is here to help. We will work with you to create a customized home care plan that’s suited for your loved one’s unique needs. Call the Home Care Assistance team at (907) 770-0907 today.