Caregivers in Lake Worth FL

Most caregivers offer their time and energy to selflessly care for an aging parent in need. While they may be helping the elder, many of these caregivers are not taking care of their own health. According to AARP, caregivers have a higher-than-normal occurrence of getting sick. They may become so drained of their energy through the countless hours they spend caring for a loved one that their immune system becomes weakened and compromised.

Family caregivers do not have to become ill if they take the steps needed to live a healthy, rejuvenated lifestyle. In order to do that, here are 7 tips.

1. Keep the body healthy. The first thing caregivers need to do to keep their strength and energy up is to eat a healthy diet and exercise. Try to do both of these every day at the same time to build a regular routine. If you are short on time, try to squeeze in 15 minutes of walking, calisthenics, yoga, or stairclimbing. Drinking between 6 and 8 glasses of water and taking a vitamin D supplement will also help you feel your best.
2. Get some fresh air. Fresh air will help revitalize the body and mind, especially after spending hours indoors. Even a short outing can do wonders for your well-being. If spending time outdoors is not possible, open a window and let the fresh air fill the home.
3. Get plenty of sleep. Lacking in the sleep department could cause you to become inpatient, irritable, and short with your loved one. To prevent this from happening, try to get between 7 and 8 hours of sleep per night. When the elder is napping, make sure to take a nap yourself.
4. Listen to your feelings. If you are feeling an emotion that makes it difficult to care for the senior, such as depression or sadness, talk to a professional. Therapy can help you find a way to manage these feelings in a positive way. It will also allow you to vent any feelings you have been bottling up about your elderly loved one or other family members.
5. Take a break. You spend most of your time tending to the needs of your loved one, forgetting to take time for yourself. But taking a break to do something you enjoy will help you relax or relieve your stress. Meditation, exercise, yoga, or visualization is all things that can be done to help you relax.
6. Laugh more. Laughing can sometimes be the best medicine, helping you instantly feel better. Share a laugh with your loved one by reminiscing over old memories, sharing jokes, or watching a funny movie.
7. Ask for help. When you are feeling overwhelmed, the best thing to do is ask for help. Ask family members if they would be willing to take over for you while you take a much-needed break. A home care provider is another option. This professional is experienced at handling in-home care tasks, so you know your loved one will be well cared for.

If the caregiver is not taking care of themselves, they can’t give their loved one the care they need. Follow these tips to ensure you have the positive attitude, health, and energy needed to care for the elder.

Source:
http://www.aarp.org/home-family/caregiving/info-2014/ways-for-caregivers-to-nurture-themselves.html?intcmp=AE-HF-CARE-C4CRGVR-SPOT3

If You Or An Aging Loved One Are Considering Hiring Professional Caregivers in Lake Worth, FL, Please Contact The Caring Staff at Assisting Hands Home Care at 561­-829­-3080 Today.