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Taking some time to do these things now will help to make your life easier for the rest of the year!
1. Make a commitment to take care of yourself this year: devote at least ten minutes a day to doing something just for you. Your own wellbeing is critical to providing the kind of quality care you want for others.
2. Get yourself in a positive frame of mind: have a mental attitude that allows only those thoughts, words, and images that work to move you forward through growth and success. Thinking positive means to expect only that good things will happen, because they are supposed to happen.
3. Go through all the medications your care receiver is taking. Make notes regarding and questions or concerns. Write down names and dosages of all and review with the doctor at the next appointment to make sure no changes are needed.
4. Set up an inexpensive calendar (Dollar Stores even have them!) devoted only to medical records and doctor appointments. Log the date of the appointment, and also notes on the reason for the visit, and any important information from the visit itself. This is also a good place to store contact info for doctors and pharmacies. It will feel great to have everything in one place!
5. Evaluate your caregiving plan. Are there other family members who want to (or should be) involved? Have a family meeting (or conference call) to give a status report and ask for help where needed. Do you need a back-up or respite plan? This is a great time to create that.
6. Go over legal documents. Do you have a completed Advance Directive at home and on record with the doctor? Has your loved one created a Will? Is a Power of Attorney needed? Talking about these issues and having the documentation you need to support your loved ones wishes is important and empowering.
7. Go over insurance and tax records and information, as well as any other important documents (investments, loans, etc.). Is all the information current? Knowing you can quickly and easily find information if you need it takes a huge worry off your shoulders!
8. Go over your own important information: make an appointment to see your insurance agent for an evaluation. Are your levels of home, life, and health insurance still right for you and your family?
Like so many things, being able to manage your role as a caregiver, so that you can really smile and enjoy life, starts in the mind. Understand and accept that as life changes, it's ok to allow plans to change. In fact, being flexible and embracing the new reality of your life will go a long way to paving the way for happier, healthier days!
Here are some tips to make it easier for you to make caring for yourself a priority:
1. SETTLE YOURSELF DOWN: Take some time to relax. Close your eyes and focus on taking some nice, deep, even breaths. Just five minutes of quiet can bring you peace.
2. GET OUT AND GET MOVING: Just a few minutes of exercise can work wonders to clear your head, lift your spirits, and improve your health. Start by simply walking out the door and keep going, briskly for five minutes...then turn around and head back home. Do that three times a day and you get all the benefits of a thirty minute workout, even thought you haven't done thirty minutes at a time.
3. EAT OFTEN AND EAT WELL: Stock up on fast, fresh mini-meals that can be eaten on the go. Easy wrap sandwiches, hard-cooked eggs, cooked chicken breasts, yogurt and granola, bananas and peanut butter, and almonds are all great choices to keep you fueled, and filling full longer.
4. GET ENOUGH SLEEP: Sleep is serious recovery time for the body and brain. Get at least six hours a night. Keep a little notebook by your bed and write down and worries or things you don't want to forget. Getting them out of your head really helps to pave the way for a more restful night.
5. GET A SYSTEM: A cluttered environment causes anxiety and stress. Don't get overwhelmed with the clean-up! Set the timer on your microwave for ten minutes, and look for ten things to throw away or recycle. Organizing in baby steps is less intimidating. You'll feel so much better!
6. GET A HOBBY: What makes YOU happy? It's important for your overall wellbeing to make time to do something that you enjoy. Scrapbooking, knitting, or even playing cards or doing a puzzle are all proven stress-busters!
7. HAVE A LAUGH: Lighten your mood and lift your spirits with a funny movie, or even old TV and Radio shows. They can be refreshing and fun little escapes.
We can help! Come to a Take Care Tips event.
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Watch Jen talking about caregiver issues on KDKA's Pittsburgh Today Live with Kristine Sorenson
- 79% of caregivers reported needing help with things such as "finding time for myself, managing my emotional and physical stress, and balancing work and family responsibilities." 59% work and manage caregiving responsibilities at the same time.
- 40% of women and 26% of men caregivers rate their emotional stress levels at 4 or 5 on a 5-point scale of stress.
- The stress from caregiving can take ten years off a person's life.
- Caregivers are twice as likely to develop depression.
- There are 50-million volunteer family caregivers in the U.S.
- 80% of the daily care of the chronically ill in the U.S. is being given by volenteer family caregivers.
- American compnaies lose billions of dollars a year due to lost productivity related to caregiving responsibilities.
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