Caregivers need to take care of themselves U.S. News & World Report wrote about how important it is for family caregivers to care for themselves too. In the article, Frank Blood shares his personal story. He’s 69 and has been caring for his 78 year old wife for 15 years. She has multiple serious health conditions: two bouts of cancer, advanced COPD,…
Caregiving can be overwhelming, leaving little time for self-care, but even just 10 minutes of exercise can make a big difference in reducing stress and boosting your mood. Studies show that short bursts of physical activity can ease tension, improve energy levels, and help you cope with the emotional demands of caregiving. Whether it’s a brisk walk, gentle stretching, or a quick…
Caregiver stress can cause restless nights. You may have trouble falling asleep, staying asleep, or having good quality sleep. To get a good night’s rest, Alisa Paliano from Nestmaven.com recommends 5 relaxing guided meditations for deep sleep. Place your mobile device or laptop on your bedside table (ideally with a sleep timer set) and let the soothing sounds calm your racing mind…
Caregiver stress can cause anxiety or overwhelm When you’re caring for an older adult, you may feel overwhelmed by anxiety, worry, fear, or anger. Sometimes it can be difficult to interrupt the negative cycle and shake yourself free of those thoughts and feelings. We’ve rounded up 5 wonderful free mobile apps that instantly lower your blood pressure, help you focus on positive…
Caring for parents may cause resentment toward siblings Caring for aging parents can get more complicated when siblings need to work together. These emotionally-charged situations tend to bring out conflicts and old family issues. We found a helpful article from Family Caregiver Alliance that helps resolve common issues that come up when caregiving with siblings. Here, we share insights about 3 key…
You don’t deserve judgment from anyone, even yourself Most of us have run across unpleasant know-it-alls who question your caregiving decisions or criticize things you’ve done. That’s terrible, nobody should speak to you that way! But what’s worse is when we speak to ourselves that way. Many of us unfairly judge ourselves and focus on the few mistakes we’ve made rather than…
Caring for seniors is a group effort When an older adult needs care, it affects everyone in the family. That’s why caregiver family meetings are so important. Without participating in a meeting, people who aren’t directly involved in caregiving are less likely to help out or do their share. They might not understand the seriousness of the situation or realize how much…
Caregivers need regular breaks Taking regular breaks is essential for caregiver health. As people often say, caregiving is a marathon, so it’s essential to pace yourself for the long haul. One helpful habit is to take micro breaks during the day. Tiny breaks will fit into your busy schedule and still benefit your physical and emotional health. We explain how even a…
Caregivers need to take care of themselves too The secret to surviving long term caregiving is to pace yourself and rest when you’re tired. Being constantly exhausted and severely stressed can lead to serious health issues and decrease your capacity to care for someone else. But some caregivers resist the advice to take regular breaks even when they have access to help. …
A major part of caregiver stress is caused by emotions Caring for an older adult is a stressful challenge that often takes a toll on your health. But only part of that stress comes from juggling day-to-day tasks. A big contributor is the strong emotions that naturally come up while caregiving. To reduce the stress from caregiver emotions, we asked experienced social…
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