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The Caregiver’s Ultimate Guide

The Caregiver’s Ultimate Guide

A caregiver’s number one priority is to recognize and meet the needs of their seniors. This can be difficult when caring for seniors who are unable to vocalize their needs, especially those living with dementia or Alzheimer’s. As caregivers, time for self-care can be hard to find and often falls aside. According to the National Alliance for Caregiving and AARP, “40% of caregivers are in high-burden situations.” Although the situation varies, many caregivers spend a majority of their time meeting the needs of their elders. Carespring nursing homes and rehab centers in Cincinnati, Dayton and Northern Kentucky rely on caregivers to improve the quality of life for its residents. Here are some ways to keep yourself refreshed and ready to care for your elders:

Eat Well

The first step in caring for elders? Caring for yourself! Eating a well-balanced meal with fruit, vegetables, and protein will keep you fueled for work, and will strengthen your immune system, keeping you healthy throughout flu and cold seasons. MyFitnessPal is one way to track your meals, while also monitoring your water intake throughout the day. It’s important to make sure you’re getting enough calories and nutrients throughout the day. This app can be accessed from your smartphone and also recognizes foods by their barcodes.

Exercise

Some caregivers are on their feet most of the day, but it’s still important to get additional exercise. Not only does exercise increase your endurance and stamina, it also keeps you happy and in high spirits. Exercising gives caregivers the opportunity to get rid of stress, be alone, and recharge. A great exercise goal is 30-40 minutes each day. Try a class, strength training, or swimming for a comprehensive workout. Don’t stress! Simply going on a walk will let you reap the benefits of physical health.

Make Time

Using a calendar connected to your email or phone will help you keep track of time. If you make sure to write down things that have to get done, and things you want to do for yourself, you’re more likely to make time for them. Choosing one day to plan will help you stay productive and efficient throughout the week. Planning when we will exercise, buy groceries, and visit our friends and family is important in maintaining a healthy and well-balanced life.

At Carespring Cincinnati, Northern Kentucky and Dayton, we value all of the things our caregivers do for our residents. We want our caregivers to be healthy, happy, and ready for a great day of caring. By taking better care of yourself, you take better care of your seniors. What’s been working for you?