Happier, Healthier Caregiving; It Is Possible!

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CarePatrol - Colorado Springs

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Posted on

Oct 13, 2015

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Colorado - Colorado Springs

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You may be a spouse, or a sibling. A grandchild, a member of the same church, or even a neighbor. You are a caregiver. To the person you are providing care, you are a lifeline. You are ensuring they get the emotional and physical support they need, but what about you? Is the stress of caregiving leaving you vulnerable to a wide range of physical and emotional problems? The answer is a resounding YES. As a caregiver, you probably have been told that by doing so you put your own health at risk, and this can certainly affect your ability to provide care. Most importantly, this can ultimately impact both you and the person you're caring for. But have you really considered the consequences? You can't help anyone if you yourself become ill or injured. So, what strategies can you employ to help prevent or at least minimize the chances of that happening? Here are a few helpful tips to consider. First and foremost - please don't be afraid to ask for help, and by all means say yes when offered help or a break. Take care of yourself - don't cancel or fail to make important appointments in lieu of caring for another person. Get plenty of sleep, eat well, exercise, continue to pursue passions or better yet find a new one. Reach out - informal support in the form of sharing with family and friends, or formal support such as counseling with you minister, pastor or priest, or caregiver support groups. Examples of local organizations who sponsor them include the Alzheimer's Association and the Pikes Peak Council of Governments Area Agency on Aging. Utilize professional services - there are many Adult Day Services in the community, professionally licensed In Home caregivers who can come to the home to provide assistance with caregiving. And if caregiving at home is no longer a safe and viable option, you may need to consider options outside of the home, such as Independent or Assisted Living. Caregivers can feel extreme guilt when asking for help, or even when taking care of themselves, but both promote good caregiving. You at your best promotes caregiving at its best!

Editor's Note: This article was written by Laura Cooley, CSA. Laura is the local owner and Certified Senior Adviser for Care Patrol and may be reached at 719-373-0040 or by email at laurac@carepatrol.com

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Local Services By This Author

CarePatrol

Housing Placement & Resource Specialists 10 East Monument Street, Colorado Springs, Colorado, 80903

At CarePatrol we help families find Assisted Living, Independent Living, Memory Care, and In-Home Care. We review the care and violation history of the communities we work with. We are a free service and exist to provide the safest care options for seniors across America.