What Can You Do Right Now for Stress Relief?

Posted in Caregiver in Hartford AL, Elder Care in Hartford AL |

November 22, 2019

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Managing stress is a big part of being a caregiver. If you weren’t already an expert, you’re going to become one over time.

 

Caregiver in Hartford AL: Stress Relief

Caregiver in Hartford AL: Stress Relief

 

Take a Moment and Breathe

You can take a second and check your breathing no matter where you are or what you’re doing. Just stop a minute and focus on your breathing. If you can leave the room and close your eyes, that’s even better. But if you can’t, just focus on keeping your breathing slow and even. In a few minutes, you’ll feel better able to cope.

 

Go Walk or Run it Off

If you can, go for a quick walk or run. This helps you to burn off the excess energy that anxiety likes to dump into your system. You can even find that your brain starts to clear a little bit. Part of this is because you’re getting your blood flowing a little bit better, but part of it has to do with chemicals. Your brain and your body release endorphins and other happy chemicals into your bloodstream when you move, so it helps more than you realize.

 

Eat Something Nutritious and Tasty

When did you eat last and what was it? If you can’t remember what you ate or you know that you ate something that was low in nutritive value, it’s time to change that. Go eat something that’s at least a little bit nutritious and that’s tasty. You want it to be delicious so that you’ll keep eating it and you want nutritive value so you’re giving your body what it really needs.

 

Reach out to Friends or Family

Take a quick second and reach out to friends and family. Let them know you’re having a bad day, even if you’re not comfortable fully sharing why or what’s going on. They may be able to offer you more comfort than you realize, just because you took the time to reach out. This doesn’t have to take long, either. A quick text message can help.

 

Line up Home Care Services Now

You’re stressed right now and you probably realize that you need more help. Stop what you’re doing and go line up help from home care services now, while you’re thinking about it. You might forget to do it later, but taking this step when you’re in need helps ensure it gets done.

Put together a toolbox you can dip into when you feel stress rising. You don’t have to make it complicated, but the solutions inside should be helpful for you.

If you or an aging loved-one are considering hiring a Caregiver in Hartford, AL, please contact the caring staff at Wiregrass HomeCare today. Call us at 334-539-5900.

Tips on Caring for a Senior Who Has Arthritis

Posted in Caregiver in Hartford AL, Elder Care in Hartford AL |

September 18, 2019

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According to the CDC, between 2013 to 2015, 54.4 million U.S. adults, had been told they had some form of arthritis. Caring for a senior who has arthritis can be tough. However, whether you are a family caregiver or home caregiver, there are some great tips for senior care, when it comes to helping someone who has arthritis.

 

Caregiver in Hartford AL: Senior Who Has Arthritis

Caregiver in Hartford AL: Senior Who Has Arthritis

 

#1 – Applying Heat or Cold

One of the things that might help you to care for a senior who has arthritis is to have them apply heat or cold to the area that is hurting. It depends on where the pain is coming from and how badly it is hurting, whether heat or cold will help better. Hot baths, heating pads, heated rice packs, frozen water bottles, and ice packs are all great ways to apply heat or cold.

 

#2 – Exercise

Many people avoid having seniors exercise. They believe it will make the pain worse. However, if you find the right exercise, it can actually benefit the person with arthritis. Before choosing certain exercises, though, your parent or the person you are caring for should have their doctor’s permission to exercise. Joint movement can help to reduce stiffness which can increase comfortability. It can also protect swollen joints, reduce fatigue, and improve overall movement, too. According to NCBI, without any exercise, joints are likely to deteriorate.

 

#3 – Losing Weight

If your parent or the person you are caring for is a bit overweight, helping them to lose weight can help to reduce the pain associated with arthritis. Excess weight puts additional pressure on the joints which leads to more pain. When it comes to senior care, having them exercise and helping them to eat right, can greatly improve the symptoms associated with arthritis.

 

#4 – Helpful Devices

There are some devices that can help with senior care when it comes to arthritis. Some help with buttoning shirts, others help with pulling up zippers, and still, others can extend that person’s reach. These devices reduce the stress that is put on their joints. You may want to get these devices for the senior you are caring for.

 

#5 – Changing Lifestyle Habits

Another tip is to have the senior in your life change their lifestyle habits. It might be helpful for them to do multiple activities in one day, with rests in between, instead of going out multiple days for activities. In addition, your parent or the person you are caring for could start asking for help more often for certain things. A handicapped parking sticker may help for someone with a more severe form of arthritis.

 

#6 – Getting a Home Caregiver

If the senior you are caring for has a severe form of arthritis, it may be time to get them a home caregiver. The home caregiver can help them with daily activities and other things that need to be done.

Using these tips on caring for a senior who has arthritis can help to reduce their pain and discomfort.

 

If you or an aging loved-one are considering hiring a Caregiver in Hartford, AL, please contact the caring staff at Wiregrass HomeCare today. Call us at 334-539-5900.

 

Sources
https://www.cdc.gov/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/

Simple Holiday Celebrations for Seniors with Dementia

Posted in Caregiver in Hartford AL, Dementia, Senior Health |

December 24, 2018

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The winter holidays are filled with laughter, music, delicious smells and festivities for young and old. However, for many elderly adults with dementia, it can mean confusion, anxiety, and stress. If your aging loved one has dementia, you may not be clear on what to do to help them enjoy the holidays. Many family caregivers struggle with this exact dilemma this time of year, and unfortunately, there is no clear-cut answer. It all depends on your elderly loved one and your unique situation.

 

Caregiver in Hartford AL: Dementia and Holidays

Caregiver in Hartford AL: Dementia and Holidays

 

Plan Ahead for Holiday Celebrations

Torn between your desire to recreate special holiday memories and knowing that anything out of the routine is often a trigger, how can you know what to do to help your elderly loved one? First, evaluate your aging loved one’s abilities and reactions in past situations. Then, try to avoid any known triggers as you make holiday plans. You can also use family members, friends, and senior care providers to assist you with your elderly relative around the holidays.

 

Simple is Best for Seniors with Dementia

As you make plans for the holidays, you may be feeling stressed about getting everything done and creating a fun-filled celebration for your aging loved one. However, simple events are best for those with dementia because too much stimulation can lead to anxiety, worry, and irritability. You can bring holiday cheer to their lives without introducing hardships for yourself and them. Incorporate meaningful holiday traditions into their existing routines for the best results.

 

Here are a few ideas for creating simple holiday celebrations for seniors with dementia:

-Encourage your aging loved one to sign holiday cards and send them out. As they receive cards, from others, display them where they can be seen.

-Don’t go overboard with holiday decorations. Instead, choose a few beloved pieces and put them around the home to evoke fond memories without changing too much of the atmosphere.

-Invite favorite smells of the holidays with scented wax or diffusers for aromatherapy. Popular holiday scents include cloves, cinnamon, gingerbread, sugar cookie, and apple spice.

-Bake holiday cookies using your aging loved one’s favorite recipe and perhaps make a plate to share with their senior care provider or a familiar neighbor.

-Invite grandchildren to visit and do a simple holiday craft together. Most seniors like to interact with young children and will enjoy interacting together.

-Plan a small holiday gathering with a few close family members and the senior care provider. Hold it during the time of day when your elderly relative is usually at their best. Keep it short and simple, with plenty of holiday cheer.

-Host a holiday sing-a-long with a few good friends or family members. Many seniors with dementia like to listen to music and sing songs that are special to them.

 

No matter what you do to bring the holiday spirit to your aging loved one’s life, you can’t do it alone. Ask family members, senior care providers and friends for help in creating simple and effective holiday celebrations for your aging relative with dementia.

 

If you or an aging loved-one are considering hiring a Caregiver in Hartford, AL, please contact the caring staff at Wiregrass HomeCare today. Call us at 334-539-5900.