Caregivers who prioritize self-care are better able to serve their elderly care recipients and remain healthy in both body and mind. Without practicing self-care, caregivers are at risk for burnout. Following are 10 tips to keep the dedicated caregiver healthy and their batteries recharged.

Why is self-care necessary?

Caregiving is a demanding role, both physically and emotionally. It’s not uncommon for caregivers to place the needs of a loved one before their own. This may work at first, but in the long-run caregivers are likely to feel frustration, resentment, anger, illness, exhaustion, and burnout.

Caregiver burnout results from exposure to ongoing stress. Chronic stress comes with its own negative consequences: the released stress hormones produce irritability, a weakened immune system, pain, headaches, digestive issues, weight gain in the midsection and exhaustion, among other symptoms.

Countering this stress is achieved by self-care practices. A caregiver must replenish their emotional and physical resources in order to continue providing quality care to an elderly person. Caregivers who are unwilling to engage in self-care for themselves should do it for their loved one.

How often is self-care recommended?

Commit to a daily self-care routine. Delaying self-care practices until after the laundry is done or the grass is mowed only pushes the care back, which may never be done. Each day, caregivers are urged to take time to engage in self-care habits, like the ones that follow.

What are caregiver self-care tips?

Tip 1: Eat Well

Fuel the body by consuming a well-balanced diet. Good nutrition helps prevent burnout. Choose fresh fruits and vegetables. Avoid processed foods and those high in refined sugars, both of which increase inflammation in the body (chronic stress is linked with inflammation).

Tip 2: Hydrate

Hydration is as important as consuming nutrient-rich meals. Drink plenty of water throughout the day. Limit or avoid alcohol altogether, as alcoholic beverages have the tendency to increase inflammation in the body. Plus, drinking interferes with a quality night’s sleep.

Tip 3: Prioritize Sleep

Achieve quality sleep by building a 10-minute nighttime routine. This daily routine might include relaxation techniques, such as breathing exercises, as well as meditation or yoga. Prepare the bedroom so that it is comfortable and encourages a good night’s sleep.

Tip 4: Exercise

Regular exercise helps caregivers stay physically fit, building the endurance they need to complete physical caregiving tasks. Physical activity also promotes mental health; a brisk 10-minute walk relieves stress. Become physically active to experience both the physical and mental health benefits.

Tip 5: Stay Socially Connected

Feelings of isolation can plague caregivers and speed them down the path toward burnout. Caregivers feel less alone when they join caregiver support groups through hospitals or local organizations. Listening to those who share similar experiences helps them nurture self-compassion.

Tip 6: Explore a Mind-Body Practice

Yoga, tai chi, meditation, and deep relaxation techniques help practitioners develop an awareness of the mind-body connection. A few minutes each day enhances a caregiver’s overall physical health and feelings of well-being. A regular mind-body practice also effectively reduces stress.

Tip 7: Practice Breath Awareness

Just 10 minutes a day of breath awareness practice induces a state of deep relaxation. Simply sitting on a comfortable chair, closing your eyes, and noticing the breath have profound effects on well-being. While breathing, add phrases, like, “I breathe in calm and relaxing energy.”

Tip 8: Schedule Medical Checkups

While making doctors’ appointments for an elderly loved one, caregivers mustn’t forget to schedule wellness exams for themselves. Prevent illness or manage existing conditions with regular checkups. Staying on top of medical and dental appointments helps caregivers protect their own health.

Tip 9: Engage in Self-Compassion

The foundation of self-care is self-compassion. Build self-compassion by recognizing the efforts put into complex caregiving tasks, taking credit for a job well-done, and stepping away from the harsh, critical inner voice. Caregivers who treat themselves when feeling low give themselves a boost.

Tip 10: Accept Help

When friends, family members, or neighbors offer to help with caregiving tasks, accept their support. Caregiving is rarely a solo journey. Rather, it involves a community of compassionate individuals who are willing to make a positive difference in the life of an elderly person.

How does respite care support caregivers?

The 10 abovementioned tips can be difficult to achieve without proper support. Caregivers may forget to eat or struggle to make time for a doctor’s appointment. When pressed for time, respite care is the solution. Respite care gives caregivers an opportunity to take a well-deserved break.

Caregivers mustn’t feel guilty for utilizing respite care to tend to their own needs. Quality respite care affords a caregiver the luxury of time and gives them the confidence that their aging loved one is receiving compassionate care. It is win-win for both the caregiver and care recipient.

Self-care is an integral part of caregiving. Without it, caregivers can succumb to burnout, resulting in the delivery of poorer quality care to the senior. Avoid the stress and burnout by incorporating respite care from Assisting Hands Home Care into an aging loved one’s care plan.

Our reputable home care agency delivers exceptional senior home care. Our professional caregivers are tasked with a comprehensive range of non-medical care services designed to promote a senior’s physical, emotional, and social well-being. Care is provided in the comfort and familiarity of home.

Responsibilities include healthy meal preparation, grocery shopping, and medication reminders. Caregivers discreetly help seniors with hygiene tasks, like bathing, toileting, and grooming. We keep the home clean and safe with light housekeeping and by removing clutter and other fall hazards.

Respite care from our dedicated caregivers ensures your loved one’s care remains uninterrupted. Family caregivers enjoy time to socialize with friends, visit the doctor, exercise at the gym, or travel. As a result, they feel refreshed and return to caregiving with a renewed outlook.

Assisting Hands Home Care serves families in  BallenIsles, Boynton Beach, Jupiter, North Palm Beach, Palm Beach, Palm Beach Gardens, Royal Palm Beach, Singer Island, Wellington, West Palm Beach, Florida, and the surrounding communities. Choosing us for respite care is one of the best tips family caregivers can use to enhance their own well-being as well as that of their aging loved one. Call  (561) 566-5989 today to learn more.