Caregivers these days suffer from something known as compassion fatigue and burnout. While you may not have heard these terms before, they are very real, and you might identify with them as we continue to live in a state of emergency due to Covid-19. Just how do you stay positive as a caregiver during these times? Read on, weve got some tips for you!Caregivers have a lot to deal with, juggling clients needs as well as their own. Even without the stress of coronavirus, you probably have had to stay positive and balance life while multiple plates are spinning. The following tips will not take much time and can also help your client who is receiving your care, making it beneficial for all involved!Caregiving Tips for Maintaining a Positive AttitudeLearn how to take feelings that are negative from feeling stressed out, to feelings of calm and positivity, with the following tips:1. Stop and pause. Its been proven that in the midst of a stressful situation, simply stopping and taking some deep breaths and slowing your breathing down can help you calm down and regain control.2. Stay thankful! If youve never kept a gratitude journal, start now! Nothing beats the blues better or faster than listing things you are thankful for. Someone else always has it worse than you do, so its usually easy to count your blessings, even in the midst of hardship!3. Be present and mindful. This is simply the practice of staying in the present moment as much as you can. Being present in the here and now allows you to lay down worry over the past and the future. Stay present and stay thankful!4. Dont be afraid to reach out and ask for help! If you are the main caregiver for a family member, professional caregiving services are there to support and help you! This will allow you to take breaks when needed and get some fresh air for yourself. Rememberhome healthcare agencies are there to offer support to you!5. Cook and eat healthy. Food is fuel, both for our bodies and our minds. Eating healthy nutritious meals is critical for a healthy and positive outlook. Take a few minutes to think about your favorite foods, as well as those of the person you are caring for. Prepare those meals as often as you can!6. Reach out and talk to someone. Talk therapy really is super helpful and doesnt have to be time-consuming. Whether you call a friend and chat for a few or a therapist who can help support you through the stresses of being a caregiver, talking is crucial for your mental health.7. Get out and exercise! Moving around is good for your body and your mind. Try yoga or a simple DVD at home. Even a walk around the block will do wonders for your energy levels.8. Listen to music. Music is some of the best therapy there is, especially for dementia patients. Find music that you and your loved one enjoy and make some new memories!Be sure and spend time in nature and enjoy the fresh air. It will do wonders for your stress level and help you keep a positive outlook. Aging can be tough but all any of us really want is to be connected with our loved ones and stay as independent as possible. You can help provide that positive assurance that is needed, and we are here to help you! We hope that you and yours are staying healthy and positive during this unprecedented time in our nations history!Please contact us if you have any questions.Home Helpers of Metro Denver is a locally-owned, trusted home health care agency and offers quality, compassionate senior in-home care services including home care assistance, personal care, companion care, respite care, 24-hour live-in care, Alzheimer's & dementia care, Parkinson's care as well as homemaker services in Denver, Centennial, Arvada, Littleton, Aurora, Lakewood, Greenwood Village, Cherry Creek, Englewood, Bailey, Golden, The Highlands, Wheat Ridge, Glendale, Cherry Hills Village, and Evergreen, Colorado.Legal DisclaimerThis blog provides general information and discussions about medicine, health, and related subjects. The words and other content provided in this blog, and in any linked materials, are not intended and should not be construed as medical advice. If the reader or any other person has a medical concern, he or she should consult with an appropriately-licensed physician or other healthcare workers.Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this blog or in any linked materials. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or 911 immediately.The views expressed on this blog and website have no relation to those of any academic, hospital, practice or other institution with which may have been mentioned or linked to in the article.

Did you know that a diet high in protein is incredibly important for seniors? Protein is particularly important right before medical procedures or surgery and can help the healing time during an acute illness when the body doesnt digest protein as easily. For our seniors, they especially need high-protein diets to maintain good bone density and muscle mass!However, research has shown that a third of senior adults are not getting adequate amounts of protein in their diets. Its due to several reasons, including:Swallowing difficultiesTaste impairmentsLimitations financiallyDecreased appetiteDental problemsThe problem is compounded even more because older adults tend to not be as active in their lifestyle, and this can make the lack of protein consumption even more pronounced. Some of the damaging impacts can include:Decreased mobilityDecreased muscles massWeak bone densityLonger times of recovery after illness or medical proceduresEventual loss of independenceReady for some good news? Well, older seniors who do get the protein that is needed will be far more likely to avoid any or all of these problems! They will stay independent much longer and maintain their ability to do tasks like getting dressed, seeing to their hygiene needs, climbing stairs, and even walking! A study at Purdue University states that While eating an adequate amount of protein is not going to prevent age-associated loss of muscle altogether, not eating enough protein can be an exacerbating factor that causes older adults to lose muscle faster.The study also shows us that whenever possible, protein intake should come from natural food sources, rather than supplements like shakes. A good number to shoot for with protein consumption on a daily basis is about .8 grams of protein for every 2.2 pounds of body weight. This would mean that a woman weighing 120 lbs. should have 48 grams of protein each day. If seniors are already going through the aforementioned challenges, they can increase the protein to 1.5 grams per 2.2 pounds.How do we increase protein naturally?Here are some excellent food options that are rich in protein:YogurtCheeseCottage CheeseLentils and beansChickenMeatMilkBroccoliOf course, you should always consult with the treating physician before changing your older loved ones diet, but this guide can give you the general things to be aware of. Having your fridge stocked with items that are rich in protein, along with pre-cooked healthy meals high in nutrition can make a world of difference. Dont forget healthy snacks too!For more information and support on your seniors dietary needs, please contact us today! We can help with meal preparation and other plans to make sure your senior loved one stays as healthy as possible for as long as possible!Home Helpers of Metro Denver is a locally-owned, trusted home health care agency and offers quality, compassionate senior in-home care services including home care assistance, personal care, companion care, respite care, 24-hour live-in care, Alzheimer's & dementia care, Parkinson's care as well as homemaker services in Denver, Centennial, Arvada, Littleton, Aurora, Lakewood, Greenwood Village, Cherry Creek, Englewood, Bailey, Golden, The Highlands, Wheat Ridge, Glendale, Cherry Hills Village, and Evergreen, Colorado.Legal DisclaimerThis blog provides general information and discussions about medicine, health, and related subjects. The words and other content provided in this blog, and in any linked materials, are not intended and should not be construed as medical advice. If the reader or any other person has a medical concern, he or she should consult with an appropriately-licensed physician or other healthcare workers.Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this blog or in any linked materials. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or 911 immediately.The views expressed on this blog and website have no relation to those of any academic, hospital, practice or other institution with which may have been mentioned or linked to in the article.

If you have a loved one with dementia, you probably already know how frustrating it can be to communicate sometimes. Limited understanding and cognitive decline can be very overwhelming for both the patient and the caregiver, but there are ways to make it easier. Here are some tips to considerFirstly, be determined to make the conversation the best it can possibly be. Going into it already frustrated or with negative energy will affect you as well as your loved one! Try to bear in mind that while you may feel like you are losing your loved one, they are still the person youve always loved. While the specific circumstances may make it tough to communicate, your positive attitude will be a game-changer!Second, create a comfortable environment that feels safe. Remove any distractions and just make sure youre in a quiet space without a lot of outside stimuli.Get their Full Attention. Use light physical touch and affection and use their name. The more relaxed and pleasant your body language is, the more they will also relax and enjoy the conversation. If the patient is non-verbal, your demeanor is even more important!Keep eye contact. Sit where you can see each other. This will help them feel safe and comfortable.Keep the conversation light and easy! They may be unable to understand or process some topics, so if your loved one suffers from dementia, its a good idea to limit topics to easy things that dont require a lot of thought. Remember to slow down, be calm, take a breath, and just enjoy as many meaningful chats as you can!Speak clearly and slowly. You need to give them a chance to process what youve just said. This means that you need to slow down and give a pause between sentences.Instead of pronouns, use names. Dementia makes it hard to remember who you are talking about. So, rather than saying pronouns such as he or she, use the name of the person you are talking about. Be sure to use your own name too.Dont load them with more than one topic. Try to avoid jumping to different topics or changing the subject without a clear introduction to the new topic. If they show signs of not understanding what youve said or who youre talking about, try rephrasing rather than repeating things.Finally, dont forget the non-verbal communication such as a smile, a hug, wink of the eye, and anything that is reassuring to them. This will help them feel respected and safe.For more information on communicating with dementia patients, please contact us!Home Helpers of Metro Denver is a locally-owned, trusted home health care agency and offers quality, compassionate senior in-home care services including home care assistance, personal care, companion care, respite care, 24-hour live-in care, Alzheimer's & dementia care, Parkinson's care as well as homemaker services in Denver, Centennial, Arvada, Littleton, Aurora, Lakewood, Greenwood Village, Cherry Creek, Englewood, Bailey, Golden, The Highlands, Wheat Ridge, Glendale, Cherry Hills Village, and Evergreen, Colorado.Legal DisclaimerThis blog provides general information and discussions about medicine, health, and related subjects. The words and other content provided in this blog, and in any linked materials, are not intended and should not be construed as medical advice. If the reader or any other person has a medical concern, he or she should consult with an appropriately licensed physician or other healthcare workers.Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this blog or in any linked materials. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or 911 immediately.The views expressed on this blog and website have no relation to those of any academic, hospital, practice or other institution with which may have been mentioned or linked to in the article.