Being a family caregiver, you are accustomed to you thinking about your senior and their health. You likely spend a considerable amount of time thinking of different ways you can help them stay healthier as they age. As you are doing this, it is very important for you to not overlook the value of protecting your own health. As a caregiver, you are in close contact with your parent on a regular basis, which means your health impacts theirs. Taking the time to focus on your own health is a critical part of not only protecting your well-being and quality of life, but also ensuring you are the best caregiver possible for your senior.
Things you can do as a family caregiver to protect your health include:
Make sure you are eating properly. It’s easy to try to save time in your daily schedule by going through the drive-thru or picking up convenience food. This can quickly deprive your body of the nutrients it needs, reducing your energy, potentially making you gain weight, and making you more susceptible to illness. Plan out meals and snacks to ensure you are getting whole grains, vitamins and minerals, and lean protein in your meals and snacks, no matter how busy you are.
Get enough sleep. Resist the temptation to stay up later just so you can feel like you can get more done in the day. Getting enough sleep is vital for allowing your body to heal, functioning properly, and fighting off germs and infections. When you are sleep-deprived, your body can’t protect itself as well, and you are also less able to focus, make good decisions, and care for your parent. Practice good sleep hygiene by setting a bedtime and waking time, and follow it each day, even on weekends.
Listen to your body. If you are starting to feel exhausted, burned-out, or like you might be a little under the weather, listen to your body. Don’t keep pushing yourself, or hoping it will get better. When you start feeling the signs of getting sick, or needing rest, step away from your care routine. Take advantage of respite care to enable you to take a break and restore your health while knowing your parent has the care they need.
As a family caregiver, you are more susceptible to stress than other adults your age that have not stepped into the role of caring for their aging parents. This not only means you are more likely to experience mental and emotional consequences such as depression, anxiety, fatigue, and burnout, but could also be put in your physical health at risk. Stress, as well as the busy schedule you are likely to have due to your caregiver efforts, make it more likely you will experience illness and infection.
If you are experiencing such a health issue, home care can be extremely beneficial. Respite care is available in situations like this to ensure your parent continues to have access to the care and assistance they need, without exposing them to the germs that can make them seriously ill. A home care services provider can step in to fill care responsibilities for your parent for as long as it takes you to recover. This allows you to focus on healing, and feel confident your parents health is protected.
If you or an aging loved one are considering Caregiver Services in Newton MA, or anywhere in Eastern Massachusetts, please call the caring staff at CARE Resolutions – (508) 906-5572.
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