7 Easy Tips for Preventing Caregiver Burnout

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7 Simple Tips for Preventing Caregiver Burnout in Des Moines, IA

Being a family caregiver offers the chance to spend quality time with an older loved one while making treasured memories. However, over time, the task can become quite challenging for many reasons. If you keep in mind a few tips, you can ensure your own health and wellbeing while preventing burnout.

1. Eat Right

While it is often easier to grab a quick bite of fast food, you need more than high-fat and high-calorie meals to get the nutrition your body needs. Have meals consisting of lean meats, poultry, or fish along with plenty of produce, and choose healthier snacks such as fresh fruit or nuts.  Consider hiring a professional caregiver if you’re feeling burned out. Get in touch with Home Care Assistance to find out how a Des Moines, IA, caregiver can help your aging loved one live a longer, healthier, and happier life. Our caregivers are available 24/7, all of our senior care services come with a 100% satisfaction guarantee, and we never ask our clients to sign long-term contracts.

2. Stay Physically Active

Along with proper nutrition, keeping the body healthy also requires being physically fit. Healthcare providers recommend adults get at least 150 minutes of moderately strenuous exercise each week to stay in shape. Engage in activities that include both aerobic exercise and strength training. Having ample physical strength is especially crucial if caring for a senior who needs physical assistance.

3. Set Aside Time for Yourself

Make the time to reward yourself for all you undertake. Relax and listen to soothing music, read a book, take a candlelit bath, go for a walk, or embark on a cycling journey. Taking time away from caregiving duties can help you relax and regroup emotionally, mentally, and physically.  Family caregivers sometimes need a break from their caregiving responsibilities. When they need respite care, Des Moines families can rely on professional caregivers to help their senior loved ones remain safe at home.

4. Make a Plan

Each day may go much smoother if you have some type of schedule to follow. Daily plans often include meal preparation and eating times, personal hygiene care, and recreation activities. Regular schedules are especially beneficial for seniors with cognitive impairment. Routines reduce the risk of creating confusion and encountering unpleasant behaviors. However, care plans should not be so rigid that they cannot accommodate an occasional change if needed. 

5. Learn More About Caregiving

By equipping yourself with a wealth of information, you are less likely to become overwhelmed. Learn the basics of caregiving at a local college or hospital that offers classes. Research your loved one’s medical conditions to understand medications, symptoms, and care needs. Find new ways to implement care and manage unpleasant behaviors. By being prepared, you can ease your burden. 

6. Ask for Help

Get assistance from family, friends, or respite caregivers occasionally or on a routine basis. You need someone to contact as a backup in the event of an illness, injury, or other emergency. Arrangements made in advance prevent last-minute attempts to find help. 

7. Join Support Groups

Caregiver support groups are a safe place to discuss your challenges and fears. You can gain tips and tricks from more experienced members, learn about the latest innovations in the care of specific medical conditions, and express your experiences with others who share your concerns. If you are the primary family caregiver for an elderly loved one and need additional assistance providing high-quality home care, Des Moines Home Care Assistance can help. We are a leading home care agency committed to changing the way seniors age. To learn about our high-quality senior care plans and packages, call us at (515) 264-2438 today.

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