Caregiver in Elk Grove CA
Three of the top concerns noted by family caregivers are taking care of their personal health, lack of respite care, and feelings of isolation. More than one-third of the people surveyed had been caregivers for five years or longer. Higher stress levels were associated with caregivers that had been thrown suddenly into the caregiver role, those that were full-time or primary caregivers, and those who cared for a loved one whose condition severely limited their ability to care for themselves such as those with Alzheimer’s.
Addressing These Concerns
These three concerns are intricately linked. If you, as a caregiver, have little respite care, you will find it difficult to address your personal health needs or take the time to connect with others. This leaves this issue as the primary focus before addressing the remaining concerns.
Respite Care
Respite care can come in the form of friends, family, neighbors, volunteers and home care providers. If you have problems asking for help, now is the time to resolve them. Caring for your loved one is definitely not a one man operation. It takes a caregiving team to keep all members healthy and balanced. A friend or family member that lives in a different state or country may not be able to provide physical assistance, but they may be able to pitch in monetarily toward a fund for respite care.
Home care providers are available to assist your parent and provide support for you when you need them. If you find dinners particularly stressful, or helping your parent with the daily activities such as bathing or dressing a difficult process, consider asking for a home care provider’s assistance for evening or morning help respectively. Senior Corps offers volunteer programs for those 55 and older. One of these programs is Senior Companions in which seniors support seniors.
Personal Health
As a caregiver it’s vital that you remain strong and healthy in order to continue caring for your loved one, yourself, and other family members that may rely on you for support and care. This means taking time to exercise on a daily basis; eat healthy, nutritious foods; and include time for yourself and the things you love in your daily life. This could entail a weekly or monthly pampering session which can be as simple as spending a few hours in the library or your favorite book store to spending an afternoon at the spa. Sometimes you may get so busy with life’s demands that it’s easy to forget what activities really bring you joy. Take time to remember.
Remaining Connected
Just as it is important to do what you love, it’s important to spend time with those you love. If your social network has declined, consider joining a support group for caregivers or another group associated with activities you enjoy. Every stranger is a potential friend. Join a hiking club, book reader’s group or a local community group. You may feel you don’t currently have the time but, if you’re in this for the long haul, it is a necessity, not a luxury.
If you or an aging loved one needs caregiver services in Elk Grove, CA, remember Senior Home Care Services. Call us at (916) 514-7006 for more information.
Resources: https://www.allsup.com/about-us/news-room/current-news/survey-finds-family-caregivers-concerns
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