Although many men are stepping up to the responsibility, women are still more likely to take on the role of family caregiver. Daughters who are also family caregivers face specific challenges, and you can use the following self-care tips to make sure your caregiver role doesn’t interfere with your health or happiness.
Reach Out When You Want to Withdraw
When you face extreme stress, nothing seems better sometimes than curling up in bed and shutting out the world. While a little alone time is refreshing, you need to be wary of any desire to completely withdraw from loved ones. Social withdrawal is a sign of depression, and you need the support of your friends right now. Instead of spending another weekend evening in bed watching television or folding laundry, try reaching out to a friend. Set a date and arrange for a respite caregiver to spend time with your loved one. You’ll get out of your rut and enjoy an opportunity to socialize.
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. Tucson 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.
Prioritize Exercise
Caregivers don’t need more guilt, yet you can’t overlook the gym membership or exercise equipment that is going unused. Remembering your commitment to boost your health shouldn’t make you feel bad. Regular exercise is a critical part of your self-care plan. Exercising on a regular basis allows you to stave off illnesses and get a healthy dose of mind-boosting endorphins that relieve stress. Try adding just ten minutes of exercise to your daily routine, slowly increasing it until you get at least a half hour to an hour of exercise most days of the week.
Write in a Journal
When you talk to your friends and family members, you may feel the need to gloss over the rough parts of your day. After all, you’ve only got a few precious minutes to catch up with your loved ones, so why waste it on negativity? However, you do need to get your negative emotions out in healthy ways, and writing in a journal is a good outlet for your daily frustrations. If the traditional pen and paper version isn’t your thing, consider writing on your laptop or smartphone. You can even find lockable journal apps so you don’t have to worry about someone reading your private thoughts.
Hiring a professional caregiver is also a good way to take a break from your caregiving duties to relax and de-stress. If you’re the primary caregiver for a senior family member and are looking for professional senior home care, Tucson Home Care Assistance should be your top choice. Our dedicated and compassionate caregivers are committed to helping older adults manage their health and enjoy a higher quality of life in the golden years.
Keep Up with Your Checkups
Going to another doctor’s appointment is probably the last thing you want to do when you get some free time. However, you still need to take care of your health so you can continue to care for your loved one. Use a calendar with an alarm to remind you of important upcoming exams so you can schedule them ahead of time. Then, make sure you have a backup caregiver in mind in case your schedule clashes with your parent’s schedule.
If your caregiving duties are becoming too difficult to manage, consider hiring a professional caregiver. Although it may be challenging to find reliable, highly rated elder care, Tucson, Arizona, families can turn to Home Care Assistance. Our respite and live-in caregivers are expertly trained to assist seniors with a wide array of important tasks, including cooking, bathing, light housekeeping, and exercise. To talk to one of our friendly Care Managers, give us a call at (520) 276-6555 today.