Beating Caregiver Stress

Author

Visiting Angels

Posted on

Sep 14, 2009

Book/Edition

Colorado - Northern Colorado

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Are you an informal or family caregiver for an elderly person? If you are, you are not alone.

Most Americans will be informal caregivers at some point during their lives. Each year more than 44 million Americans (21% of the adult population) provide unpaid care to an elderly or disabled person 18 years or older. This is significant! It represents 80 percent of all long-term care in the United States. Most caregivers are middle-aged or older women who have jobs outside of caring for an elderly person. Most of these women have changed hours or working conditions in order to care for their elderly family member. Sound stressful? It is.

Ways to Reduce Caregiver Stress
Focus on the rewards of care giving, and giving back to a loved one. Being a caregiver strengthens your relationship with the person receiving care and makes you feel needed, boosting your self-confidence.
Talk to a counselor, psychologist, or other mental health professional right away if your stress leads you to physically or emotionally harm the person you are caring for.
Find out how to deal with your loved ones disease. Do research with doctors, nurses, on websites, and at the library. The more information you have, the easier it will be to prepare for issues that arise.
If you do find that you are under stress from caring for your loved one, try these stress reducing tips:

Get help from community care giving service providers for:
Transportation, meal delivery, home modification, legal services
and financial counseling
Accept help from friends and family this includes financial help.
Say "no" to volunteer tasks, such as hosting holiday meals.
Do the best you can and don't feel guilty about not being perfect.
Prioritize your tasks and establish a daily routine.
Stay in touch with family and friends.
Join a support group for caregivers facing the same condition or disease.
Try to keep your sense of humor.

Check with the human resource office at your job. Employees covered under the federal Family and Medical Leave Act may be able to take up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave per year to care for relatives.
When you need a break (and you will), give a professional home care service, like Visiting Angels, a call. They will come to your loved ones home and perform any number of household chores, personal grooming chores, and provide companionship for your loved one for a very affordable fee.

Visiting Angels is owned and operated by a local couple who have been offering their services in Northern Colorado since 2005. Call them for more information at 970-292-5668.

Article submitted by Tandi Dawson, Director-Visiting Angels

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Visiting Angels

Non-Medical 5441 Boeing Drive, Loveland, Colorado, 80538

At Visiting Angels, our mission is to brighten the home and better the health of our dear clients as we joyfully assist them with their activities of daily living. Visiting Angels is a licensed non-medical agency providing in-home care to seniors in both Larimer and Weld Counties since 2005. Our services cover a variety of needs, including but not limited to light housekeeping, meal preparation, shopping/errands, transportation, medication reminders, personal care, incontinence care, and companionship. We accept private pay, long-term care insurance, and Veterans Administration benefits. Call us to schedule a free in-home consultation today!