Making New Year’s resolutions each year is one of the most popular traditions worldwide, especially among family caregivers. There are many vows family caregivers might consider making that could benefit their emotional, mental, and physical health.
1. Join a Support Group
Caregiver support groups provide the chance to share your thoughts, feelings, and challenges with others who understand your dilemma. This way, you get reassurance, support, and tips on how to navigate through difficult times from experienced group members. You might also be able to share hints and tricks you have learned along the way.
Hiring a professional caregiver is another way for you to relax and de-stress while ensuring your loved one receives in-home care. Mississauga home care professionals can be a wonderful boon to seniors. Whether they require around-the-clock supervision or just need assistance with exercise and household tasks a few days a week, seniors can enjoy a higher quality of life with the help of trusted in-home caregivers.
2. Make “Me Time”
The stresses of caregiving combined with raising a family or holding down a job could prove exhausting for caregivers who do not take the time to rejuvenate. “Me time” enables individuals to step away from their stressful situations for a while, unwind, and relax. Watch a movie, go for a walk, or engage in another activity that encourages inner peace and tranquility.
3. Eat Healthier
It can become a habit to grab unhealthy snacks while managing caregiving duties. However, you must make sure the fuel you put in your body contains the nutrients needed to provide energy and maintain overall health. If you’re in a hurry, reach for fruits, vegetables, nuts, or yogurt. Eat lean meats when taking the time to eat a whole meal.
4. Work Out More Often
Routine exercise plays an important role in staying strong and healthy, especially if you need physical strength to assist your loved one with daily tasks. Exercising is also a great way to reduce stress, enhance mood, and boost self-esteem.
5. Allow Others to Help
Caregivers come down with the occasional illness just like anyone else, and they also deserve a break or a vacation from time to time. By having backup help from other family members or a respite caregiver, you can get away when needed. Make it a point to take a day off every now and then to prevent burnout.
Family caregivers sometimes need a break from their caregiving responsibilities. When they need respite care, Mississauga families can rely on professional caregivers to help their senior loved ones remain safe at home.
6. Forgive Yourself
Everyone displays unpleasant emotions from time to time. You might be impatient with your loved one or say something hurtful to a family member. Apologize and forgive yourself for being human. Evaluate what went wrong and take the steps needed to correct the issue.
7. Get Educated
Caregivers can make their duties easier by continually getting more information and training. Learn more about your loved one’s medical conditions. For instance, if your loved one has dementia, discover the paths his or her behaviors might take and be prepared to manage the situation. Gain more information concerning the various aspects of caregiving by taking a class, reading books, and performing online research.
To ensure your senior loved one receives high-quality in-home care, hiring a professional caregiver should top your list of New Year’s resolutions. Find out how a Mississauga, ON, caregiver can help your senior loved one enjoy a higher quality of life by reaching out to Home Care Assistance. All of our professional respite and live-in caregivers are trained in comprehensive Alzheimer’s, dementia, Parkinson’s, and stroke care, and they can also assist seniors with basic daily tasks like exercise, cooking, bathing, and light housekeeping. For details about our home care services and plans, give us a call at 905-337-1200 today.