One of the most important things you can do as a family caregiver is actually taking care of yourself. By focusing on your own needs, and making sure they are met on a regular basis, you protect your health and well-being, and preserve the quality of care you give your aging parent. When you do not take care of yourself effectively, and experience high levels of stress on a regular basis, you are prone to a condition known as caregiver burnout. Burnout results in feelings of hopelessness, helplessness, lack of motivation to fulfill needs, disconnection, mental and physical exhaustion, and more. This can have a negative effect on your physical health, mental and emotional well-being, and quality of life, as well as how well you are able to care for your senior. Taking steps to prevent caregiver burnout preserves the quality of care you give your parent, and helps you to live a better lifestyle throughout your care routine, and after this arrangement comes to an end.

Use these tips to help you prevent caregiver burnout:

• Eat a healthy diet on a regular basis. Giving your body the nutrients it needs is a critical part of feeling your best, having the energy you need to get through your day, and warding off illness and infection. Eating regular meals, bringing healthy snacks, and avoiding convenience foods are all good steps toward better nutrition.
• Get enough sleep. Practicing good sleep hygiene means going to bed and waking up at the same time each day. This ensures you get the best quality sleep you can, and have energy to face your day. Getting enough sleep also helps your mind to function properly, think clearly, and manage memory issues.
• Seek out support. Getting emotional support and encouragement from friends, family members, and even a support group can help you to express your emotions, and feel less isolated in this arrangement.
• Get help. You do not have to feel as though you need to take on all of your parent’s care on your own. Getting help from an elderly care provider can take pressure off of you, remove the stress from handling sensitive or embarrassing tasks, and give you the opportunity to focus more on quality time with your parent rather than just care efforts.

Having an elderly care provider as part of your care routine for your senior loved one does not mean you don’t care about your parent, or that you don’t want to make sure they get the quality of care they need. Instead, making this decision as a family caregiver means doing what you can to ensure your senior gets the quality of care and they need and deserve on a regular basis. Integrating the customized services of an elderly home care services provider into your care routine allows you to focus your energy, attention, and effort in the most efficient ways. This gives them the quality they deserve, and you the reduced stress you need to manage your health and well-being as they age.

https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/9225-caregiving-recognizing-burnout

If you are considering elderly care in Salem, VA for an aging loved one, please talk to the caring staff at Acti-Kare of Blue Ridge. Call 888-451-5273. Our office provides senior care and home care services in the following locations including Blue Ridge, Lynchburg, Salem, Roanoke, Smith Mountain Lake, and Bedford in Virginia.