If you are the caregiver of a north Texas senior, juggling all the responsibilities in your life may feel overwhelming. Research tells us that the majority of family caregivers work at least part-time outside the home. Many also have children of their own to care for.
This balancing act creates a variety of issues for caregivers ranging from extreme stress to insomnia. It can lead to serious health problems.
The Physical Impact of Caring on Family Caregivers
In a 2010 survey conducted by Gallup industries, caregivers were asked a variety of questions to help researchers learn more about the physical impact of caring on family members. Symptoms participants most commonly reported included:
- Migraines and recurring headaches
- Back, neck, knee and joint pain
- Unintended weight loss and weight gain
- Hypertension
- Insomnia
- Fatigue
If more than one or two of these symptoms could be used to describe how you are feeling, make a resolution that 2016 will be the year you work on improving your own health and well-being.
If focusing on your own needs makes you feel guilty or anxious, as it often does for family caregivers, remind yourself that if you get sick or encounter a serious health crisis there may be no one available to care for your senior loved one.
3 Ways Caregivers Can Make 2016 a Healthier Year
Here are a few ways to get your new year off to a healthy start.
- Write down your goals. Begin the year by writing down what your top three priorities are for 2016. Try to incorporate goals that support your mind, body and spirit. Then take an honest look at where and how you are spending your time. What activities or tasks can you delegate or give up? Are there resources available like Mobile Meals or in-home care that can lighten your load? Replace those responsibilities with activities that can improve your sense of well-being like a monthly night out with friends or a weekly yoga class.
- Prioritize your own health. For Dallas-Fort Worth area caregivers, this may be tough to do. But it is the best way to make certain you are able to continue to provide care for your family. Exercise and a healthy diet are key. Set a goal to exercise 30 minutes a day most days of the week. If necessary, split your workouts in to 15 minute increments to make the goal more realistic. Eat a diet that incorporates fruits, vegetables, lean protein, nuts and legumes. Programs such as Forks Over Knives and The Dash Diet can help make healthy menu planning easier and quicker.
- Don’t go it alone. It is very common for family caregivers to feel as if they must care for a senior loved one on their own. Caregivers often feel guilty accepting help when it is offered. Let 2016 be the year you give up those feelings of guilt and replace them with the understanding that caregivers need help too. Explore supportive services in your area such as friendly visitor programs for seniors through your church or synagogue. Adult day programs are another option and many also provide transportation services. Respite services are often an ideal solution for giving the caregiver a break.
Senior Living Specialists can also help you find respite care at an assisted living community in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Contact us today for help finding a community that best meets your senior loved one’s needs.
Senior Living Specialists is a free service for seniors and their families. We are compensated by a referral fee when a senior moves into a community or care home. Please call us today at 214-929-5055 to learn more.
