As their caregiver, you’ll want to help them stay healthy and happy and for them to avoid feeling lonely and isolated. 

What can you do to make them feel comfortable and safe? How can you help them live a fulfilling life? Here are five things you can do to help your aging loved ones continue living their best life. 

Maintain Social Connections 

Nothing in this life is more important than friends and family. Spend time with your aging loved ones. Listen to them. Ask about their day. Encourage them to share their favorite memories. 

Keep them connected to their friends, or help them make new ones, especially with people of the same age. 

And remember that they have worries too. Money, health, independence, end-of-life matters, relationships are things that can weigh on their minds. They might not feel like they have anyone to share their worries with…let them know they have you – that you’re there for them now, just as they were for you once.

Active in the Community

Seniors need to be involved with activities outside of the home. They want to feel like they belong to something – that they can still make a difference. 

A sense of belonging reduces stress and illness. Belonging to something enhances their quality of life and gives them meaning. They feel less lonely and isolated, too. 

Being involved in their community releases feel-good hormones and improves their overall well-being. 

Research volunteer opportunities in your area or faith community; it can be simple tasks. 

Remember to check with senior centers because they offer a wide variety of programs and activities like:  

• Gardening
• Crafts
• Cooking
• Book clubs
• Exercise programs

Structure and Routine

Although everyone is different, many seniors view routine as a source of comfort and reliability. 

It can be as simple as waking up at around the same time each morning and getting ready for their day, followed by a nutritious breakfast and medications, and preparing for any activities or visits.  

Consider planning a weekly schedule ahead of time; knowing what’s happening gives many seniors a sense of stability. And it helps them to prepare for what’s ahead. 

Exercise

Physical activity is essential as we get older for maintaining muscle mass and healthy joints. Plus, exercise makes us feel happier and reduces mental health problems.

Remember to offer your aging loved ones simple, low-impact exercises they can do on their own.

Physical activity improves balance, reducing their risk of falling, and increases bone density and muscle strength.

Independence

Your loved ones will appreciate your loving care; it makes them feel special. However, they also appreciate their independence – they want to do things for themselves. So give them some space. Let them be as self-reliant as possible. 

Being independent boosts their self-esteem. It improves cognitive function, too, keeping their brains in shape. 

Closing Thoughts…

The day will come when your aging loved ones depend more and more upon you and your care. It can range from assisting with daily tasks or listening to their memories and concerns. 

Just be there for them like they were for you. Love them. Support them. Honor them. Respect them. Guard their dignity. Let them know they matter and are well thought of in the community and that they are an irreplaceable and cherished treasure to you and their friends. 

The post 5 Things Your Aging Loved Ones Need From You appeared first on Lifestyle.

Nearly half of all caregivers have trouble balancing work and caregiving, and 20 to 40% of them suffer from depression.

But just because you’re a caregiver doesn’t mean you’re doomed to live a life of stress and burnout. It’s possible to care for a loved one without sacrificing your physical or mental health.

Ask for and accept help

Caregiving is tough work. What makes it tougher is that many caregivers don’t ask for help or accept it when it’s offered.

Why? Caregiver’s guilt. They fear that by admitting the toll caregiving is taking on them, it’ll seem like they don’t care about their loved one’s wellbeing.

Caregivers can overcome their guilt by focusing on the primary goal: keep their loved one safe, happy, and healthy.

If you can’t achieve this goal because you’re stressed, overwhelmed, exhausted, or burned-out, then it’s time to ask loved ones in your family and circle of friends for a little help.

Start by asking for help with the mundane tasks of everyday life, like cleaning and laundry.

When you’re comfortable getting help from others, it becomes easier to ask for help with heavier tasks like administering medication

Know your limits

Caregivers tend to underestimate how long something will take; this is a recipe for stress. If you overbook and overschedule yourself to the point of feeling frazzled by noon every day, your health will suffer.

Take a good long look at your schedule and do your best to overestimate how long things will take.

If you end up with a few free minutes, you can easily fill them, which is better than scrambling to get too many things done in too little time.

Also, remember to get enough sleep. Burnout happens faster if you’re not taking good care of your health.

Even if you have a lot to do during the day, set a firm bedtime for yourself and your loved one, and do your best to stick to it. Anything that isn’t an emergency can wait until the next day.

You’ll feel more alert and less stressed when well-rested. So, get your rest because lowering your stress levels is one of the keys to avoiding caregiver burnout.

Get a pet

The elderly and ailing are at risk for loneliness, so providing them with company and companionship is part of your duties as a caregiver.

Most caregivers are so busy that they have very little time to sit down and chat.

But, a well-mannered adult cat or small dog can provide extra companionship for your loved one, lower their stress levels, and boost their mood.

If the idea of getting a pet when you’re already stressed is scary, ask another family member to take on the additional responsibilities. If you explain why the pet is necessary, they’ll likely be happy to help.

Start a conversation about assisted living facilities

If your loved one’s care becomes too much for you to manage even with all the extra help, it may be time to have a conversation about moving them to an assisted living facility.

You may feel guilty for even thinking about it, but the important thing is your loved one’s health, safety, happiness, and quality of care.

Start the conversation with the facts such as cost, quality of care, and risks. Obtaining and sharing that information makes it much easier to decide what’s best for you and your loved one.

Caring for an aging or ailing loved one is one of the most rewarding things you can do, but you also need to take care of your health and wellbeing.

Avoiding burnout allows you to be fully present for your loved one, and to be a much more caring and loving caregiver.

Photo by Micheile Henderson on Unsplash

The post 4 Ways to Avoid Caregiver Burnout appeared first on Lifestyle.

The post In Sickness and in Health appeared first on Lifestyle.

The post Unwanted Children appeared first on Lifestyle.

The post The Alzheimer’s Challenge appeared first on Lifestyle.

The post To Be Of Service appeared first on Lifestyle.