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10 Tactics to Manage Your Health as a Caregiver

You’re the person everyone turns to when they need help. Your spouse asks you to pick up things from the store on your way home from work. Your children come to you for advice. You don’t know what the folks at work would do without you. And your parents depend on you for companionship, transport, medical supervision, home maintenance and, perhaps, even more.

Some days, you feel like you’re running from place to place, putting out fires that spring up again as soon as you leave. You can’t keep on living like this. Not only will you fail to provide your loved ones with the help they need, you may destroy your health.

Caregiver Health Statistics

If it’s any consolation, you’re not alone. Caregiving is bad for your health, numerous studies show.

  • 11% of family caregivers report that caregiving has caused deterioration in their physical health.
  • 23% of family caregivers (5 years or more) report their health as fair or poor.
  • 72% of family caregivers report they don’t go to the doctor as often as they should.
  • 63% of caregivers report having poor eating habits compared to non-caregivers.
  • 58% of caregivers say they have worse exercise habits than before caregiving responsibilities.
  • 40% to 70% of family caregivers have clinically significant symptoms of depression. Up to 50% of these caregivers meet the diagnostic criteria for major depression.
  • Stress of family caregiving for persons with dementia may impact a person’s immune system for up to 3 years after their caregiving ends.
  • Family caregivers experiencing extreme stress age prematurely, subtracting as many as 10 years from their lifespan.

Risk Factors for Caregiver Stress

The Mayo Clinic has identified the following risk factors for stress that may impact the caregiver’s health:

  • Female
  • High school education or less
  • Cohabitating with the person being cared for
  • Social isolation
  • Depression (often, caregiving causes depression)
  • Financial pressures
  • Higher number of caregiving hours
  • Lack of problem-solving skills
  • No choice in being a caregiver

Do these statistics and risk factors apply to you? If so, you need to change your life immediately.

Tactics to Manage Your Health as a Caregiver

How do you maintain your health when you’re a caregiver?

  1. Get enough sleep. Sleep is one of the pillars of the life you’re building. It affects physical and mental health. The Mayo Clinic has these tips to improve your sleep.
  2. Eat nutritiously and mindfully. Proper nutrition is critical in maintaining health and alleviating stress. It, too, is one of the pillars of a healthy lifestyle. If you’re having difficulty finding time to eat healthy, plan ahead and keep nutrition bars handy. “Eat This Not That” has a list of the 16 top nutrition bars for every goal.
  3. Make time for exercise. You can’t neglect exercise if you want to remain healthy. If you have difficulty finding time to exercise at the gym, go for a walk with your family or mow your parent’s lawn. Try to increase your exercise to 150 minutes a week—just 30 minutes a day.
  4. Practice mindfulness. Whether you go to church, meditate, do yoga or practice deep breathing, take time each morning to clear your mind so you can focus the rest of the day. Any sort of mindfulness practice reduces stress and the risk of stress-related disease and increases concentration and creativity.
  5. See your doctors regularly. Doctors include your dentist, optometrist, and physician.
  6. Get immunized. If you’re sick with pneumonia or the flu, who will take care of you?
  7. Learn problem-solving skills. Too often, caregivers are like the woodcutter who’s too busy to sharpen his ax. Learn new tactics to save time and improve your family’s lives. Join a Facebook or support group to get new ideas and, perhaps, some practical help.
  8. Practice environmental hygiene. Your environment affects your health. If your car is full of water bottles and trash, clean it up. If your room is painted in gloomy colors, brighten it—and your outlook.
  9. Take time for yourself. Don’t feel guilty about caring for yourself. If you don’t take time for yourself, you won’t be able to care for anyone else. Take a vacation (many senior living communities, such as The Arbors Assisted Living Communities, offer short stay or respite care). Have a spa day. Go golfing with your buddies. Ask a sibling or even your child to step in and help.
  10. Plan for the future. Your family situation is not going to stay the same. Your parent may need more care than you can provide. Your own health may decline. Consider caregiving options, such as an Assisted Living community. Purchase long-term care insurance. Get vital documents from your parent so you’re prepared. AARP has an excellent guide for caregivers here.

 

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The Arbors Assisted Living-Guide-Having “The Talk” With Your Parent: It’s Time for Assisted Living
Talking to your aging parent about moving to an assisted living community isn’t easy.

Often, many adult children avoid bringing it up because it can be a sensitive topic.

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The Arbors Assisted Living-Guide-The Challenges of Aging: How to Handle Your Aging Parent’s Difficult BehaviorsDifficult behaviors in elderly adults are very common. They may be an expression of frustration your loved one feels or a symptom of early stages of dementia or Alzheimer’s.

This guide will provide you with skills and knowledge on how to handle difficult behaviors your aging parent may be experiencing.


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The Arbors Assisted Living-Guide-Becoming a Family Caregiver: What You Need to Know Before Deciding to Take Care of a Loved One
Becoming a family caregiver can be a rewarding experience. It also has its challenges.

There are many questions to answer before making the decision to take care of a loved one.

This guide will provide answers to questions you may have on this topic.


NOTE: Your privacy is important to us. We’ll never share your details nor spam your inbox.

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The Arbors Assisted Living-Guide-Helping Your Parent Manage DepressionIs your parent or loved one depressed, or just in a bad mood?

What does medication and illness have to do with depression?

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The Arbors Assisted Living-Guide-Is It Depression? A Guide to Identifying and Addressing Depression in Aging AdultsHas your aging parent recently lost interest in activities they used to enjoy? Have you noticed a change in their mood and behavior?

This guide will provide you with resources and tools on how to identify depression, what are the common causes of depression, and how to promote mental health in your aging loved one.


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The Arbors Assisted Living-Guide-Assisted Living Frequently Asked Questions and Answers
Does your loved one need more support than what they are getting? Would they benefit from some assistance with daily activities?

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The Arbors Assisted Living-Guide-7 Warning Signs It’s Time to Make the Move to Assisted Living
Has your dad stopped getting together for lunches or outings with friends or visits with neighbors? Have you stopped enjoying time with your parents because you’re a caregiver?

Choosing an assisted living community is a big decision. Learn how to find the right one for you and your loved one.


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Guide-Getting Your Affairs in Order
No one ever plans to be sick or disabled, and disasters, man-made or natural, can happen at any time, anywhere.

Yet older adults are among the most vulnerable during a crisis. That’s why it’s critical that seniors, and those who care for them, prepare for emergencies.


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Guide-Guide to Making the Move to Assisted Living
Moving to assisted living is a life-changing event.

This guide provides tips and ideas on downsizing, what to pack and how to make the transition smooth for your senior parent.


NOTE: Your privacy is important to us. We’ll never share your details nor spam your inbox.

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Guide-Solutions to Common Caregiving ChallengesIn this eBook, you’ll learn how to talk with family and friends about caregiving challenges, how to deal with a parent who is resistant to help, how to get more caregiving help from your siblings, and how to keep your job while caregiving.


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How Moving My Loved One to The Arbors Eliminated My Caregiving ChallengesHave you had to cut back your hours at work to care for your mom? Are you worried about administering medications or injections?

Have you stopped getting together with friends, either because you don’t have the time or you’re too exhausted? Are you becoming the invisible second patient?


NOTE: Your privacy is important to us. We’ll never share your details nor spam your inbox.

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Guide-When is the Right Time for Memory Care?In this guide, you’ll learn about the difference between Alzheimer’s and dementia, including the early symptoms of dementia; the seven stages of dementia and the symptoms that typically accompany each one; and the signs it’s time to start exploring your memory care options.


NOTE: Your privacy is important to us. We’ll never share your details nor spam your inbox.

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Guide-What to Look for in a Memory Care CommunityIn this guide, you’ll learn about the difference between assisted living and memory care, how healthcare professionals are trained in dementia care, common features of a memory care community, and questions you should ask when exploring your memory care options.


NOTE: Your privacy is important to us. We’ll never share your details nor spam your inbox.

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Guide-Brothers and Sisters
Navigating adult sibling relationships can be a challenge, but coming together for the sake of your parent is important.

In this guide, you’ll learn about common sibling conflicts that arise when caring for parents, strategies for getting siblings on board, and where to turn to for help.


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Guide-The StandoffAssisted living can be a touchy subject. No matter how you approach it, your parent is likely to have objections to something.

As you help them transition to a new stage of life, it helps to be prepared with answers to their questions and concerns.


NOTE: Your privacy is important to us. We’ll never share your details nor spam your inbox.

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Guide-11 Most Common Caregiving Challenges
A Guide to the Most Common Family Caregiver Challenges Associated with Caring for an Aging Parent.

You’ll learn about the true costs of being a family caregiver, common family conflicts that can occur when caring for parents, and some of the unexpected challenges of caregiving.


NOTE: Your privacy is important to us. We’ll never share your details nor spam your inbox.

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Guide-Checklist_ Questions to Ask When Touring an Assisted Living Community
This checklist will help to make sure you are getting the most out of your visit to The Arbors.

The list details what important questions to ask during your visit so you are able to make an enlightened choice and find the best assisted living community for your needs.

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Guide-What is Assisted Living Really LikeIf you’re unsure what Assisted Living looks like in real life, whether there is a difference with nursing homes or a desire to see how community life unfolds, then this guide is exactly what you need.

A guide to discover the Care Team and a Typical Day in Assisted Living.

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You’re probably wondering how much the different senior living options compare to your current situation.
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