Brain Brawn & Body Your Daily Dose May 14

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Dear Reader:

Blessed Are the Caregivers

We must admire those who give care to the sick and infirm in their families. They are, most often, untrained; their work is voluntary, and it is often overlooked. They feel as Baroness Pitkeathley, the former CEO of Carers UK does, “It’s my duty, isn’t it?”

It is estimated that today more than 61 million people care for family members, including elderly parents, spouses and children with disabilities and chronic illnesses. Without this home care, most of these cared for loved ones would require permanent placement in institutions or health care facilities at great cost to society.

Parents and family caregivers are the backbone of the long-term care system and save health care insures and governments billions of dollars annually.

The work they do goes on without much notice or without consideration of what they may be going through. Many caregivers may not see themselves as “official” caregivers. So let me help.

You are a caregiver if you:

These wonderful people deserve more than our admiration – they deserve our help.

Stress and Respite

The stress is undeniable. Are you familiar with the term, “caregiver stress”?

There is another term closely associated with caregiving – it’s respite. The physical, emotional and even the financial consequences for the family caregiver can be overwhelming without support, known as respite.

Without respite, caregivers may face serious health and social risks as a result of stress associated with continuous caregiving. The pressures a caregiver can feel can be enormous and difficult for them to express.

The pressures range from:

Although caregiving can be rewarding for many, it is undeniably stressful as well. There are, however, strategies that caregivers and communities can use to reduce the effects of this added stress. Information, resources and support are often available through senior centers and local public health departments.

These various ways for caregivers to care for themselves and let themselves relieve stress was collected from Caregivers and care managers of the Medicare Alzheimer's Project in Broward and Dade Counties in Florida.

They are as follows:

  1. Find something to laugh about everyday
  2. Take care of yourself physically
  3. Eat a well-balanced diet
  4. Talk with someone everyday
  5. Give yourself permission to cry
  6. Exercise
  7. Get adequate rest
  8. Have a bowl of cheerios and milk before going to sleep to promote better sleep
  9. Avoid noisy and tension filled movies at night
  10. Reduce caffeine intake
  11. Seek professional help
  12. Take a break everyday
  13. Explore community resources
  14. Listen to music
  15. Learn relaxation techniques
  16. Attend one or more support groups and educational workshops
  17. Give yourself a treat at least once a month
  18. Read your caregiver’s bill of rights.

What One Can Do To Prevent or Relieve Stress

Balancing Work & Caregiving

Studies show that an estimated 25.5 million Americans face the challenges of being able to balance work and caregiving of an elderly relative 50 or older. These caregivers are often emotionally and physically drained and thus can’t perform to their full capacity at their work. Thankfully, many managers are supportive.

There are several different ways one can balance work and caregiving:

God does not overlook the work you do. Hebrews 6:10

 

I invite you to read, learn, enjoy!

Eric Von

Publisher/Editor