Sometimes life ends unexpectedly. But for many seniors, the end of life comes with warning signs and happens slowly. Although sensitive to discuss, seniors and their caregivers need to understand their options to make informed decisions.
Heart Health For Seniors
The Types of Care a Home Care Agency Provides To Seniors
3 Techniques For When Decluttering Becomes Necessary
Do you have professional outfits clogging up your closet though you retired a decade ago? What about papers? Are your college biology notes co-mingling with your will in a filing cabinet to which you've lost the key? It's time to declutter, and what better month to start than in January, the official "Get Organized" month!
November is National Family Caregivers Month
November is laden with grateful thoughts as Thanksgiving serves as a reminder that there is always something to be thankful for. Some dispatches come to mind quickly: our family and loved ones, tasty meals, autumn skies, loyal pets, to name a few, but there's another category that deserves our attention yet often gets unintentionally overlooked when listing blessings in one's life. This is the family caregiver.
The Role Planning Plays for the Family Caregiver
Family Caregiver Support
Did you know that about 1 in 3 adults serves as an informal caregiver to another adult, like an aging parent or disabled relative? Here are some other noteworthy facts from Caregiver.org about family caregivers:
• About 43.5 million people offer unpaid caregiving in the US
• About 15.7 million caregivers are helping someone with a memory illness
• About 75% of caregivers are females
• About 57% of caregivers perform clinical tasks
• The average caregiver is 49 years old
• Family caregivers spend 24.4 hours caregiving a week on average
• 40% of caregivers are in high-burden situations
Do you fit into these statistics? You balance your workday with check-ins on your elder Mom or Dad who live nearby, or you stop in every Saturday to help your neighbor manage his medications. There may be wounds on a loved one that need dressing, lawns that need mowing, and meals that require preparation. Although many family caregivers find the opportunity to care for a loved one a privilege, it can also be demanding. Over time, financial difficulties, limited personal free time, and lack of other caregiving options for a loved one can lead to caregiver burnout. Here are some tips on how to cope effectively:
-Ask for and accept help because even if only temporary, there may be others in your care circle willing to assist with tasks.
-Set realistic goals by considering saying “no” to extra requests and demands.
- Connect with others through support groups or friends who listen and understand.
-Make yourself a priority by ensuring you get enough sleep, exercise, and self-care. Don’t take short cuts on your health and wellness needs.
This article was written through our partnership with Clear Care.
