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Aging without Family for Support
Aging

Aging without Family for Support

by Carol Marak
written by Carol Marak

In the aging process, an older person can adapt and handle the physical and mental challenges of decline if they have some form of nearby support. But not every older American has access to a family member or a friend to give occasional help. Aging without Family for Support
There’s an unseen group of seniors that the health care industry has recently noticed. It’s the community-dwelling aged who are socially and/or physically isolated, without an available known family member or designated caregiver.
They’ve been in plain sight for years but since boomers are entering the 60 plus population, the demographic will intensify, due to the group’s known status of having the highest divorce rates and childless marriages. And in a matter of a few decades, the chronic diseases will put a heavy burden on the medical care providers.
What’s needed from the medical care teams and the local community-based support services is a better process and a way to track and assess the risks. The individuals need education, support, and guidance to prepare for becoming frail and dependent. But more importantly, they need to receive a thorough screening for the high risks of aging alone.
Some requirements would include:

  • To learn what’s needed in designing the advanced directives
  • To select a trustworthy healthcare proxy
  • To learn how to set up a care plan far in advance of needing acute care.
  • To learn how to prevent avoidable hospital admissions
  • To find services that help with medical, functional, social, and safety needs
  • To locate social services, adult protective services, and senior agencies
  • To learn the health strategies that help them avoid negative events
  • To build a support group

To better help all seniors, not just the people who live without support in the household, the aging industry and service professionals should become aware of the risks that endanger older adults lives.

  • Social support – Low social support links to both poor physical and psychological health and an increased risk of mortality for the elderly population. Moreover, decreased social interaction that can stem from this lack of support which correlates with low effect and arousal, poor cognitive and social skills, and altered mental functioning.
  • Isolation and loneliness – Isolation is the state of having minimal contact with others, whereas loneliness is the feeling of being socially alone and isolated. Both of these states are identified as risk factors for physical, and cognitive decline.
  • Childlessness – Living without the support of family caregivers is an important risk factor for social isolation. Many studies have shown that childless adults often do have support networks, usually consisting of relatives, friends, and neighbors. However, these networks are less likely to provide the long-term commitment and comparable high level of support that children offer.
    Here is another great article about choosing a location to live if you are a “Solo Ager.”
    Aging without Family for Support Aging without Family for Support Aging without Family for Support Aging without Family for Support

    Aging without Family for Support

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How to Handle Changes in Aging Parent
Aging

How to Handle Changes in Aging Parents

by Kathy Macaraeg
written by Kathy Macaraeg

Helping Your Aging Parent Remain Safe at Home

Whether you live near your aging parents or across the country from them, it can be difficult to see signs of aging. Your parents have always been the family leaders and suddenly, you notice that they’re not able to manage certain aspects of their life. They may also be working very hard to make sure you don’t see physical or cognitive changes. How to Handle Changes in Aging Parent
I worked with many elderly clients who intentionally hid their health issues from their children. They kept phone calls short or used all of their energy during visits, only to collapse from exhaustion after the visit was over. The only way their adult children got a peek into their actual physical and cognitive conditions was to visit for extended periods.
If you can’t schedule an extended visit to your aging parent, there are things to watch for to assess their well-being. Changes in your aging parent’s behavior or cognitive abilities may be a sign that you need to consider stepping is as a caregiver, even if you are stepping in as a long-distance caregiver. How to Handle Changes in Aging Parent
If your aging parent is intentionally hiding his/her well-being, it may be hard to recognize signs that they need caregiving assistance.

How to Evaluate Your Aging Parent’s Health

If you haven’t visited your aging parent in a while, there are some signs that you can look for to determine whether they are in good health. In addition to the signs below, you should also look for signs of malnutrition, which can be common with the elderly.

  1. Weight Loss or Weight Gain: Has your aging parent experienced an unexplained change in weight? It could be due to eating habits, but it could also be related to a health condition.
  2. Bruising Or Other Signs of Falls: Has your aging parent sustained frequent injuries from falls? This could be a safety issue related to common fall risks, but it could also be related to medical issues. Note – if possible, consider video calls so you can actually see them. I had many clients who hid pretty significant falls from family since they lived far away and didn’t have the opportunity to visit.
  3. Inability to Communicate Clearly: Is your aging parent struggling to follow conversations or forgetting things that are part of their everyday life? You may need to set up an appointment with his/her physician. Note – if your aging parent is always rushing to get off the phone, this could be a sign that he or she doesn’t want you to notice changes in communication.
  4. Changes to Household: Is your aging parent’s home suddenly unkempt, particularly if they are normally very neat? Are bills going unpaid? Is the refrigerator empty? These changes may mean that they are overwhelmed or unable to do these tasks independently. It may be due to physical or cognitive changes.
  5. Changes in Appearance: Does your aging parent suddenly dress differently or appear sloppy? If your elderly mother used to wear makeup daily and clean, ironed clothes and is suddenly wearing dirty or stained clothing and looks unwashed, there may be a problem with her physical, emotional or cognitive well-being.
  6. Isolation: If your aging parent has recently lost the ability to drive or has lost friends who live nearby, they may become lonely. Loneliness accounts for both physical and emotional health challenges. It can be hard to make new friends as you age, but it is critical.

How to Evaluate Your Aging Parent’s Safety

If you are concerned about your aging parent’s safety, you’re in luck. Safety issues are much easier to fix. A few changes to the home can make it much easier for your aging parent to age in place. Additionally, as technology continues to advance, it will be easier for long-distance caregivers to monitor their aging parent’s safety.

  1. Elder Abuse: Elder abuse isn’t just physical. If you notice a new “friend” in your aging parent’s life who limits your access to your parent or seems to have control over your parent, you may need to be on high alert.
  2. Fall Risks: While some fall risks are medical, there are ways to make your aging parent’s home safer to limit their falls. They can also take a balance class through their local senior center or as part of physical therapy to help with frequent falls.
  3. General Safety Around the Home: Do they have proper lighting at their front door (or entry door)? Is there a railing for your aging parent to hold onto when climbing stairs? If your parent uses a walker, is there a ramp? It is really difficult to use stairs with a walker.
  4. Stranger Danger for Grown-Ups: An interesting thing I learned when working with my elderly clients is that they answer the phone whenever it rings and opens their front door to anyone who knocks. Unfortunately, unscrupulous fraud artists know this and take advantage of the elderly by phone or by coming to their front door.

It can be overwhelming to watch your aging parent decline and realize that you will need to step in as a caregiver. The good news is, in most cases, caregiving is a process. How to Handle Changes in Aging Parent
Your assistance may only be needed for simple tasks like making their home safe or having meals delivered. In many cases, the caregiver role is gradual. Don’t panic. You can do it. And if you aren’t able to do it yourself, there are resources available to get your aging parent help. How to Handle Changes in Aging Parent
Just remember, this is the person who took care of you for many years. If they need your help, there are ways to get them help or help them yourself without drowning. How to Handle Changes in Aging Parent

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Recognizing Depression in Older People
Conditions & Treatments

Recognizing Depression in Older People

by Kimberly Johnson
written by Kimberly Johnson

Did you get a sense of unhappiness or discontent in elderly relatives when you last saw them? It might be easy to write this off as a bad day, but it could be possible that the person is experiencing a more pronounced depression that they might struggle to communicate clearly. Recognizing Depression in Older People
Depression in older people can often go unnoticed, either through failing to recognize it or the senior citizen doing their utmost to conceal it. Keeping it bottled up is the worst thing to do; if you spot an elderly relative who seems unhappy, talk to them about it. That could be the conversation they crave and, in knowing that someone truly cares, their depression might ease considerably, if not disappear entirely.

Thanks to Be Independent Home Care for supplying this helpful infographic on how to recognize signs of depression in older people and what you can do to help seniors who are experiencing depression.
Recognizing Depression in Older People Recognizing Depression in Older People Recognizing Depression in Older People Recognizing Depression in Older People Recognizing Depression in Older People Recognizing Depression in Older People Recognizing Depression in Older People Recognizing Depression in Older People Recognizing Depression in Older People Recognizing Depression in Older People Recognizing Depression in Older People

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Keeping Caregivers Healthy
Caregiving

Balancing Caregiving Responsibilities and Work

by Kathy Macaraeg
written by Kathy Macaraeg

How to Juggle Caregiver Tasks When You Work Outside the Home

According to the National Caregiver Alliance and AARP, 60% of the approximately 43.5 million caregivers in the U.S. are employed, and most of them work outside the home full time. Balancing Caregiving Responsibilities and Work
Between work, caregiving tasks and maintaining their own household, it’s no wonder the majority of caregivers report that they experience physical and emotional stress. Between work and caregiving, they are putting in at least 60 hours a week!

Shortcuts to Balance the Caregiver/Employee Roles

If you’re not able to cut back work or caregiving hours, how can you balance the two? Shortcuts, hacks and letting things go is a good start. Here are my best timesavers and hacks that I’ve used during extremely stressful and busy times.

1. Eat as well as I can:

I’d love to say, hey, get your 5 servings of vegetables and fruits in every day, but let’s face it, when you’re busy, the easiest food to eat is usually junk food or processed food. When I’m super busy, I try to make sure we’re stocked with portable healthy snacks such as granola bars, string cheese, yogurt, bananas, tangerines and apples. Aside from the yogurt and cheese, I can throw them in my bag or leave them in my car. Balancing Caregiving Responsibilities and Work

2. Cook in bulk:

It isn’t the most exciting way to eat, but I usually cook two or three large meals at the beginning of the week and we re-heat throughout the week.

3. Sunday or Monday plan:

I once read an article about a woman who keeps her Mondays appointment free so that she could prepare herself for a successful week. Monday doesn’t work for most people who have a full-time job, but for me, Sunday evening is a great time to plan for the week. Balancing Caregiving Responsibilities and Work
I personally prefer a paper calendar for planning, although I keep an electronic calendar so that I have it on my phone as well. For planning, I look at both and go through the days of the week and make sure we are covered for any appointments and activities. I bought a dry erase decal for my refrigerator that I use for any appointments that affect more than one person so my husband and I are on the same page.
If you are scheduling yourself and your parent, you may want to color code your schedule. One thing that tripped up a lot of my clients and their children was backing up times to allow for transportation. There were many times where they would accidentally leave for an appointment at the time they were supposed to arrive. One of my clients who was an executive assistant in her career had a great idea of putting her pick up time in pen and underneath, she would write the appointment time in pencil. I am hooked on these Bic four color pens since I can easily color-code without having to have multiple pens. They last forever. I have been using the same one for 2 years now. Balancing Caregiving Responsibilities and Work

4. Schedule maintenance:

If you are so busy that you are barely getting through the day, making sure the little things continue to run is important, but challenging. Go ahead and put your car maintenance on your calendar ahead of time so that you don’t forget. The last thing you need is an expensive car repair. Are there other things you need to maintain? Think about what needs to be done to keep your life running smoothly and put it on your calendar before you forget – both for your home and your parent. Balancing Caregiving Responsibilities and Work

5. Maximize your work day:

If you have to be in an office for eight hours a day, use your lunch or breaks to get some tasks done. During your planning time, list out any appointments you need to make (with phone numbers and any background info), shop for groceries online and do any other task that you don’t need to do in person. If you have your list and all the details ready to go, you can blaze through your list. Balancing Caregiving Responsibilities and Work
If you don’t sit at a desk or don’t work at a computer, you can still take your lunch break to make any calls, set up appointments, etc. You can also shop on Amazon Prime Now from your cell phone.

6. Find off-hour service providers:

While most doctors only operate from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., there are some dentists and even medical imaging centers that are open late or on weekends. I once had an MRI at 9 a.m. on a Saturday. Try to find providers that operate when you have more time for you and your parent so that you don’t need to use all of your time off for routine care.

7. Get creative:

I worked with a family who had a creative strategy for medical appointments. They hired us to transport the father to and from his appointment, but the daughter met him there, attended the appointment and went back to work. She only needed to take one hour off of work, versus 3 hours if she was providing transportation.
Can you find ways to be present without doing everything? Can you schedule appointments early in the morning so that you only miss an hour of work. Is there someone you can split the load with? Do you have a friend, neighbor or community member who has more free time and can assist with some of the manageable tasks like grocery shopping or errands? Is there someone you can hire to help with the errands? I haven’t tried it yet, but I’ve heard of sites like Task Rabbit, where you can hire someone to do errands for you. Balancing Caregiving Responsibilities and Work
You can’t do it all, so finding shortcuts or getting help can help take some of the stress off your plate. How can you find a few extra hours? Balancing Caregiving Responsibilities and Work
 

Balancing Caregiving Responsibilities and Work

 
 

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Am I Too Old for Drug or Alcohol Rehab?
Conditions & Treatments

Am I Too Old for Drug or Alcohol Rehab?

by Kimberly Johnson
written by Kimberly Johnson

Why Seniors Should Consider Rehab an Option

Contrary to popular belief, addiction is not just an affliction of the young. More than 1 million adults ages 65 and older in this country have a substance use disorder, according to 2017 data from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). This number is projected to rise, with a vast majority of affected seniors never seeking treatment in what has been aptly termed “a growing, but mostly silent, epidemic” in a 2016 study from BMC Health Services Research. Am I Too Old for Drug or Alcohol Rehab?
Sadly, what many older people with addiction don’t know is that rehab is both a viable and promising option for kicking a drug or alcohol problem. Seniority should never be an obstacle to getting effective treatment for an addiction.
 

Why Older Adults Should Go to Rehab

First, consider these three compelling reasons to go to rehab for a drug or alcohol problem.

  1. Older adults have better rates of recovery.

A 2013 Hazelden reportsheds light on why this is so. Recovery rates in seniors are higher than those in younger people because “older adults have more positive experiences to draw upon and tend to be more disciplined about recovery.”
Another key predictor of success in recovery is a client’s adherence to a plan of drug or alcohol treatment. When researchers in a 2002 studycompared older clients’ adherence to alcohol treatment with younger clients’ adherence to alcohol treatment, they found the older clients were more likely to comply with their plan of treatment. They were more faithful about attending therapy sessions and taking prescribed medications. As a result, the older adults’ rates of relapse were lower than those among younger adults.

  1. Drugs and alcohol are more physically harmful in older age.

There are a number of reasons that a drug or alcohol problem that you may have successfully managed earlier in life is increasingly more dangerous to your health as you age. These include:

  • A changing metabolism that raises your risks of a drug or alcohol-related fall or injury.
  • An age-associated decline in your immune system, cognition and other physical functions.
  • Your need for more over-the-counter medicines and doctor prescriptions as you age, accompanied by a greater likelihood of harmful interactions.
  • Decreased mobility and social interactions that can feed your sense of isolation and contribute to more severe substance abuse and addiction
  1. There is no better time than now (the “Golden Years”) to improve your quality of life.

Contrary to the ageist mindset that says you’re too old to benefit from rehab, seniority is a persuasive reason to put quality-of-life concerns first. The golden years are an opportunity to make the most of the time you have left. Researchshows that people who attend inpatient rehab achieve a significant improvement in their quality of life.
For older people, moreover, positive and supportive relationships— not finances— are reportedly a more important quality-of-life measure. Strikingly, there is an even greater body of research that describes how treatment for addiction can improve close relationships with family and friends.

Tips for Finding the Right Rehab Program

Seniors who pursue treatment for an addiction have a number of rehab programs to choose from. Some cater exclusively to seniors, such as a nursing home that integrates addiction treatment into post-hospital rehab.
But don’t rule out a mixed-age rehab program either. Findings from the 2002 study cited above suggested that individualized, age-appropriate psychotherapies are more important to a successful recovery than a seniors-only treatment setting.
Here are some other things to keep in mind when you’re looking for a rehab program:

  • Detox time– Detox typically takes longer in older adults, so look for a program that will provide you with a medically supervised withdrawal that is safe and complete.
  • Dual diagnosis program– Substance abuse in older adults can often co-occur with symptoms of anxiety or depression related to grief, loss of mobility and/or other life transitions that come with age. Look for programs that are “dual diagnosis” (meaning they treat both substance use and co-occurring disorders).
  • Customized therapies for your psychosocial needs– Similarly, substance abuse typically has psychosocial and emotional roots that need to be addressed. Among older adults, these may relate to issues like depression or complicated or unresolved grief. Ask about what sorts of therapies will be offered to address these sorts of issues, and to what extent these therapies will be provided on an individual basis.
  • Location of program– If you have age-related health and mobility issues, you may wish to stay closer to home for rehab. Alternatively, if you’re able to travel, a program that is out of state may provide you with more of a retreat-like experience.
  • The tone of the staff towards older adults– Try to gauge whether there is a tone of positive support, respect and care for older adult clients. Pay attention to how the staff responds to your requests and inquiries when you call or tour the facility. If you pick up on any age-related condescension, that’s an immediate red flag.
  • Length of treatment– No matter your age group, you’ll experience better recovery outcomes the longer you stay in treatment, so ask about the length of the program.

No older adult should forego treatment because of concerns about their age. If you’re young enough to drink or use drugs, you’re young enough for rehab. Period.
By Anna Ciulla
Anna Ciulla is the Vice President of Clinical and Medical Services at Beach House Center for Recovery, where she oversees the supervision and delivery of client care. Anna has an extensive background in psychotherapy and clinical management and is often invited to speak and write for various audiences on issues related to addiction. She writes on a variety of addiction and recovery-related topics, including the benefits of seeking treatment no matter your age or place in life.
Support Systems for Elderly Dealing with Substance Abuse

Am I Too Old for Drug or Alcohol Rehab?

Am I Too Old for Drug or Alcohol Rehab? Am I Too Old for Drug or Alcohol Rehab? Am I Too Old for Drug or Alcohol Rehab? Am I Too Old for Drug or Alcohol Rehab? Am I Too Old for Drug or Alcohol Rehab? Am I Too Old for Drug or Alcohol Rehab? Am I Too Old for Drug or Alcohol Rehab? Am I Too Old for Drug or Alcohol Rehab? Am I Too Old for Drug or Alcohol Rehab? Am I Too Old for Drug or Alcohol Rehab? Am I Too Old for Drug or Alcohol Rehab? Am I Too Old for Drug or Alcohol Rehab?

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Tech Support

Robotics Revolutionizing Senior Lifestyles

by Kimberly Johnson
written by Kimberly Johnson

These days our golden years are radically different from how they were when our parents reached them. People are living longer than ever these days and enjoying better health while doing it. There are over 50 million people in the US age 65 and older, and that number is expected to rise to over 90 million by 2040 as the last of the baby boomers finally reach that landmark. Seniors aren’t slowing down much at all and with constantly improving technology they don’t have to. Technological and medical breakthroughs are making their quality of life better than ever before. Let’s look at some of the robotic technology that’s making that possible. Robotics Revolutionizing Senior Lifestyles

Robotics Around the House

Household robotics aren’t really anything new. They began with the Roomba, the robotic vacuum that cleans rugs and floors all by itself. Since then there has been a flurry of other brands hitting the market, some more affordable than others. What they all have in common though is that they’ll clean your floors without the hassle of traditional vacuums, which often need to be dragged around and plugged in somewhere. Seniors will find them very useful especially those with back or knee problems.
There are also robotic mops that will clean hard surfaces the same way. They can detect the type of dirt they encounter and then use either a wet cleaner and scrub pad or simply vacuum it up. No one enjoys mopping floors, least of all seniors, but it has to be done, especially with pets and grandbabies around. A robotic mop makes it much easier and less physically taxing.

Robots as Personal Assistants

For the more technologically adventurous seniors, there are personal robots available now. They move about freely on their own and can do things like grab objects, sweep, open doors and deliver food and prescriptions. Seniors who participated in focus groups about these robots felt positive about them, as long as they and not the robot remained in control.
There are also studies being done on whether such robots would be good for providing companionship and comfort to lonely seniors. When surveyed seniors said, they liked the idea but only if they didn’t have to give up any of their independence to it. Experts say such robots would be designed to assist, but only as much as the senior wanted it to.
Memory loss is a very real issue for many seniors, which is why a gentle reminder from a voice command personal alarm system such as Reminder Rosie is so useful. The gadget allows caregivers to record instructions such as ‘remember to take your pill at 11am Dad’. The personal touch is comforting to those who use it, and promotes independent living in seniors who need to maintain a healthy routine. This is also an innovation that is popular with caregivers as they feel that the ‘nag factor’ has been removed from list of their daily responsibilities.

Replacement for Physical Tasks

For seniors who have swimming pools, there are even robotic pool cleaners. Pool cleaning is pretty strenuous and some seniors may not feel up or it or simply don’t want to spend the time, yet would rather not be locked into a contract with a pool company. The robotic pool cleaner is an excellent alternative, so seniors can keep their pools and benefit from the low impact exercise it provides them.
Robotics is changing lives every day and seniors are no exception. Robotic technology can help them stay independent and have more time to spend doing things they love. Right now we have pool cleaners, vacuums, and robots, but you can expect much more of this type of technology in the years to come.
By Jackie Edwards
Now working as a writer, Jackie started her career in finance and banking, but after becoming a mom refocused and decided to spend more time with her family. When she’s not writing, she volunteers for a number of local mental health charities and she looks after her parents who live close by. Her father is beginning with the early stages of Dementia and Jackie feels it important to research as much as possible into helping seniors live their final years in comfort.

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Loss of Balance with Age
Conditions & Treatments

Loss of Balance with Age

by Kimberly Johnson
written by Kimberly Johnson

The physical and cognitive changes that occur with aging are often exacerbated by inactivity. This can lead to muscle weakness, joint problems, and loss of balance. Many seniors may also find themselves dealing with dizziness as a result of vertigo or other types of balance disorders. The result: unsteadiness when walking, falls that cause bruises and broken bones, and in many elders, fear of straying far from home. If you or a loved one is dealing with a loss of balance due to aging, there are a few things you should know that can help. Loss of Balance with Age

Improving Balance with Exercise

Doing balance exercises regularly can help older adults avoid falls and walk with more confidence. In 2013, French researchers found that balance training for seniors could reduce falls by 37%. Many balance exercises, such as briefly standing on one leg, can be done during normal daily activities. Others, such as tai chi and yoga, also will help build flexibility. Be sure your loved one gets proper training to do balance exercises correctly. Of course, check with a physician before beginning any exercise program.

Preventing Injuries

If you think that someone you care for could improve his or her quality of life by using a simple mobility aid, talk to a physician or other qualified health professional to get advice. Also keep your eye on certain conditions in the home to spot any potential problems. These include household hazards, mess and clutter, slippery or wet floors, loose rugs or scatter mats, poor lighting, thresholds that are obstacles, and unsafe bathrooms.

Utilizing Mobility Aids

At times we all need tools to facilitate our journey through life, and using mobility aids such as a walker, cane, or wheelchair in later years is no exception. Like any healthcare product, its purpose is to improve the well-being, comfort, and quality of life of the user. However, given human pride, social situations, and a fear of losing independence, many elders are reluctant to admit their mobility is decreasing. It’s often a struggle to obtain what the industry calls “compliance.” Many a well-meaning adult child finds that the brand-new walker he just bought his mother is sitting in the corner of the dining room—untouched. Give it time and ask a professional to help the elder understand the benefits of a mobility aid and how to use it.

How Can You Help?

As a caregiver, concerned relative, or friend, you can help in several ways. First, a caregiver can aid in fall prevention by reducing hazards in the home. Offer your support by encouraging your elder to increase activity to improve strength, balance, and stamina. Gentle exercise will also help to improve bones and muscles and help prevent fractures. Next, get out and have fun with your elder! You can also help by finding information and facilitating the purchase or rental of appropriate mobility aids for your elder. Take advantage of the full line of products offered by Senior.com to help prevent falls and keep seniors active.
Finally, it is important to report to the family physician any recurring incidents or risks pertaining to loss of balance. Remember, there is no reason for anyone to sacrifice mobility to aging. Loss of Balance with Age
 

Loss of Balance with Age

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How First-Time Family Caregivers Shouldn’t Overestimate Themselves
Caregiving

How First-Time Family Caregivers Shouldn’t Overestimate Themselves

by Richard Bitner
written by Richard Bitner

When your mom or dad starts to struggle with day-to-day activities, you may find yourself acting as a family caregiver. Caregiving is no small responsibility, and from the outside, most people understand that it’s a lot to handle. But when someone we love requires care, it’s easy to lose perspective and assume we’re the exception to the rule. No matter what happens, we tell ourselves, we can handle it. How First-Time Family Caregivers Shouldn’t Overestimate Themselves
But caregiving often demands superhuman levels of energy, patience, and positivity. Expecting yourself to withstand these demand, and to provide high-quality care, is a shortcut to failure.
In overestimating our abilities as family caregivers, we endanger not only our own well-being, but also the well-being of our loved ones. Decades of research have highlighted the health risks faced by family caregivers, who experience high rates of physical, mental, and emotional health concerns. By compromising their own health, family caregivers also compromise the quality of care they provide. When this happens, caregiving can have a counterintuitive effect: worsening, rather than improving, quality of life.
Needless to say, if you’re taking on family caregiver duties for the first time, it’s important that you don’t overestimate your own abilities. Here are a few tips on how to prevent this from happening.

How Family Caregivers Can Avoid Unrealistic Workloads

Start Out Small. Whenever possible, family caregivers should start caregiving early. Instead of waiting for your loved one to start showing signs of severe decline, start lending a hand with small, routine tasks like running errands and dishwashing.
Starting early offers benefits for both you and your loved one. By starting out with smaller caregiving responsibilities, you can will reduce the risk of early burnout, develop caregiving skills and routines gradually. This method also lowers the risk that the care recipient will start receiving support too late, when decline has already compromised their health and well-being.
Build Caregiving Skills. Some people carry a mistaken assumption that caregiving is unskilled labor. Ask anyone who’s actually provided care — as a family caregiver or as a caregiving professional — and you’ll hear otherwise. The best caregivers have spent years refining their caregiving toolkits, which include a mix of hands-on talents and emotional skills.
By building up your own set of caregiving skills, you can reduce the risk of becoming overwhelmed. Make a conscious effort to become more effective and efficient at routine caregiving tasks and seek out caregiver resources that can help you become a better caregiver. When you feel more comfortable and capable as a family caregiver, you can start to take on additional roles and responsibilities.
Plan for Self-Care. Self-care is important for everyone, but it’s critical for those of us performing stressful, highly demanding work. Caregiving exacts a toll on your physical, mental, and emotional health. If you ignore this, you’ll make every aspect of your life more difficult, including caregiving. This makes caregiver all the more taxing on your physical, mental, and emotional health, creating a dangerous feedback loop.
So when you’re starting out as a family caregiver, make sure that you’re setting aside time for self-care activities. Many family caregivers are quick to sacrifice personal time when they start providing care to a loved one. In many cases, it never occurs to them that they need time for self-care. By steering clear of this mistake, you’ll avoid the number one cause of caregiver burnout.
Set Realistic Goals. When you’re volunteering to act as a family member’s caregiver, it’s important that you set realistic goals. Typically, this means a conservative approach to goal-setting. Start with what you think you’re capable of, then cut those expectations by 25% to 50%.
Most people substantially overestimate themselves when they start a new role. That tendency is made worse when you’re caring for someone you love. But just because you want to do it all for your mom or dad, that doesn’t mean you can. Remember that, as a family caregiver, it’s easier to expand your role than to shrink it.
Ask for Support. One of the best ways to avoid becoming overwhelmed is to ask for outside help. Other members of your family might be unable to provide as much support as you can, but that doesn’t mean they can’t provide any support at all. Make sure to get family and friends involved in caregiving early.
If family and friends are unable to lend support, professionalrespite care servicescan help. A trusted home care agency will connect you with professional caregivers who can provide caregiving assistance, relieving the burden placed on family caregivers.
Overwhelmed by caregiving duties? Learn more about respite care services from Visiting Angels®by calling us today at 800-365-4189 or by contacting your local office.

How First-Time Family Caregivers Shouldn’t Overestimate Themselves

How First-Time Family Caregivers Shouldn’t Overestimate Themselves How First-Time Family Caregivers Shouldn’t Overestimate Themselves How First-Time Family Caregivers Shouldn’t Overestimate Themselves How First-Time Family Caregivers Shouldn’t Overestimate Themselves How First-Time Family Caregivers Shouldn’t Overestimate Themselves How First-Time Family Caregivers Shouldn’t Overestimate Themselves How First-Time Family Caregivers Shouldn’t Overestimate Themselves How First-Time Family Caregivers Shouldn’t Overestimate Themselves How First-Time Family Caregivers Shouldn’t Overestimate Themselves How First-Time Family Caregivers Shouldn’t Overestimate Themselves How First-Time Family Caregivers Shouldn’t Overestimate Themselves
 

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Master the Mobility Game as you Age
Exercise & Fitness

Master the Mobility Game as you Age

by Kimberly Johnson
written by Kimberly Johnson

Staying mobile is an important factor in health as you age. Not only does it help you maintain your health, it is also a major factor in holding on to your independence. There are a number of ways to master mobility even as you age: Master the Mobility Game as you Age
1. Walk: Taking walks is by far one of the best ways to stay active. If you don’t have time, incorporate it into your day. A trip to the grocery store is a good start, and you can take an extra step by parking at the back of the lot. This is a great way to increase the distance you walk each day. And maybe the best part of walking? It’s free! Master the Mobility Game as you Age
2. Find a Hobby: Having a hobby is a great way to keep your body and mind mobile. Knitting works muscles in your hands that improve dexterity while keeping your concentration sharp. Gardening works a number of muscle systems and is known to actively relax the gardener. Remember that it is supposed to be fun, so find a hobby that you love to keep you sharp and active!
3. Partner Up: One way to make sure you enjoy either a walk or a hobby is to bring along a friend. This is a great way to stay motivated to get up and out, and it also makes the activity more enjoyable overall. Call a friend who is also looking to stay active and mobile for a walk.
4. Consider a Cane: If you are having a real problem staying mobile, consider using a cane. Most people fear that a cane will limit them; on the contrary, it can be the tool that can help get you up and moving. Even if you do not plan to use it long term, a cane can help you keep active and build confidence for walking longer distances without it. We highly recommend the Hurrycane, the #1 selling cane in America.
5. Take the Stairs: Going up and down stairs is a good way to add difficulty to your walk. It works different muscles and is proven to literally help people get out of bed in the morning. This doesn’t have to be a tedious repetition of up and down; it can be as simple as taking the stairs over the elevators when there is an option.
Try one or all of these tips throughout the course of your daily routine to master mobility.

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