Take Care: Tips for Stressed out Caregivers

Absolute Care Management depends on qualified and professional caregivers to provide the best in-home assistance to elderly and disabled people every day.  These women and men have all the skills and heart it takes to insure a great quality of life for their clients.  This is what they do professionally, and they do it well, but, as the shoemaker pays no mind to his own shoes, many times the professional caregiver makes little time to care for herself.

Just the other day, I received a request from a caregiver to offer stress relief tips in our next blog.  I thought of the causes of stress (demanding schedules, messy homes, etc.) and the symptoms of stress (headaches, anxiety, depression) and I asked the question:  How can a caregiver cope with the causes of stress in a way that will reduce the effects? 
When you take care of others for a living, taking the time for yourself can seem like work as well but it is well worth the extra effort.  The benefits of a healthy mind and body will far out-weigh the convenience of self-neglect.  Below, I have listed a few tips for preparing your body and mind for the stresses that come with a caregiver’s job.  I realize that even the slightest change in your routine can seem impossible, so try focusing on one change a week so that you aren’t overwhelmed. 

Take Breaks:  Do you go full speed all day without taking a break only to get home and crash? If your a caregiver, I’m sure the answer is "yes" most of the time! When you’re so tired at the end of the day that you leave your own laundry piled up and you choose ramen noodles over a healthy meal, you are actually creating a new source of stress for tomorrow.  Try structuring your day to make room for a small mid-morning and mid-afternoon break so you can rest your feet and your mind.  It’ll be worth it later, when you have enough energy left to enjoy your evening!
Work out: Exercise endorphins cause an immediate “feel good” feeling that gives you confidence to tackle a long day.  Try taking a 20 minute walk at least three times a week.  Not only does it give you time to clear your mind and regain focus, it gets your blood pumping and works out the aches and pains caused by stress.  
Meditate: Sit still and breathe deeply in a quiet place for a minute or two in the morning, at noon, and at night.  Close your eyes and try to clear your mind of any thought at all.  This is more challenging than it sounds but is a great way to calm yourself when you’re feeling stressed.
Eat well: Try to eat something fresh at every meal.  Fresh fruits, vegetables, nuts, beans, and whole grains will leave you feeling clean from the inside out and give you energy.  Caffeine, fast food, and excess sugar may offer a quick pick-up but they will let you down just as quickly!  Healthy eating isn’t always the easiest or the most affordable option but your health is your biggest investment so find what works best for you and stick with it.
Keep your health in check:  As stated previously, your health is your biggest investment.  If you work check to check like most people, missing work for illness or injury can be financially devastating.  Keep your yearly checkups as regular as possible and get regular vaccinations.
Indulge: After all you do for others, you deserve to treat yourself!  Plan to do something you love at least once a month.  It’ll give you something to look forward too on even the most stressful days.
Support:  Your fellow caregivers can be a great source of motivation and support.  Get to know a few of the caregivers in your area and meet up for lunch once a week or take walks together.  No one understands the stresses and rewards of care giving like another caregiver, so tap into that valuable resource!

I hope these tips help.  I’m sure you’ve heard them all before, but good advice is worth repeating!  If you have any tips to share or comments to make, let us know!  We would love to pass them on!

Make Home a Safe Place to Stay

For the frail elderly, an injury or fall at home could mean the end of independent living.   Fortunately, most injuries can be prevented with a little effort by a caregiver or family member.  So, for those of you who have been charged with the task of keeping someone safe, here are a few things to consider:

The first step in making your home safe is to eliminate any fire hazards, tripping hazards, or possible air contaminants in the home.   To address any fire hazards or air contaminants, try calling your local fire department to ask if someone might come to evaluate your home for possible risks.  If you have a case manager, you can ask him or her to come evaluate your home as well. Some potential hazards include:

Stacks of books, magazines, and papers

Old electrical outlets
Excessive clutter
Uneven floor surfaces
Old space heaters
Gas stoves and ovens

The next step in reducing the risk of at home injuries is making things easier to do.  Keeping everyday items within reach reduces the risk of back and neck strain, and dizziness that occurs after bending over and standing back up.  Falls often occur in the bathroom where the floors can be slippery and the floor space is limited.  A caregiver can reduce the risk of bathroom falls greatly by helping with transition in and out of the tub.  If a caregiver is not available, bars and rails should be in place for self assistance.  Non slip bathmats, shower chairs, and hand-held shower heads are all great tools to make the bathroom safer.  Many of these items are made less expensive or may even be free to seniors or disabled individuals.   In order to find out if you can get these items discounted or free, you can contact your healthcare provider, home care agency, or local medical supply company.  As you look around for ways to make things easier, ask yourself these questions:

Is every room in the home well lit?
Are the pathways clear and wide?
Are all cords and wires kept close to the wall?
Are rugs and carpets smooth and even?
Are rooms free of clutter?
Are hand rails installed properly?

Step three in reducing the risk of at home injuries is to evaluate the bedroom .  Getting in and out of bed is troublesome for the frail elderly for several reasons.  Having a walker or cane next to the bed is helpful in the morning, when dizziness is often worse.  Night vision often decreases with age so it is helpful to have a night light in the bedroom, hallway, and bathroom and a flashlight beside the bed.  Making sure the mattress is in good condition and not too soft will make getting in and out of bed easier and will reduce aches and pains in the morning.  At some point you may need to consider getting an adjustable hospital bed.

There are many things to consider when making your home a safe place to live, many of which are not covered in this blog, so, our best advise to research and ask for help.
 If you plan to make modifications to your home to improve the safety this link may be helpful:   http://www.csa.us/docs/HomeSafetyforSeniorsGuide.pdf
For more information about small changes that will make your home safer follow this link:  http://www.seniorresource.com/Senior_Home_Safety_Checklist.htm