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By Julie Arndt
GolderCare Solutions

Caregiver Tips on Staying Healthy

Recently I had the pleasure of attending a program that featured caregiver support.  For those of us who deal directly with caregivers and who likely are caregivers in our personal life, it’s easy to forget the importance of caring for ourselves.  I was sitting there and had an “ah-hah” moment, realizing I needed a few reminders myself.

We have all heard the airlines tell us “in the case of a crash, first place the oxygen on yourself” then you may assist the person next to you. The same applies for caregiving.  We need to take care of ourselves. Many people claim “I don’t have the time.” It’s not a bad thing to look after our needs just a bit. In our society, it seems to be frowned upon to slow down and selfish to be thinking of self. Not so, especially when others rely upon you to be the best you can be to make sure their fundamental needs are being met. It’s hard to do this if you are sick or so stressed that you can’t finish a task or in some cases, finish a sentence. The following are some tips that you may incorporate into your lifestyle to start making a difference in your day.

We all have cell phones.

We have become used to being available 24/7 to whomever and whatever is needed. It’s a pretty awesome task and brings “being on call” to a whole new level.  It is “ok” to be “off the grid” for just a few hours a day.  I know many would argue, “…but I need to be available if Mom needs me” or “my kids may need me.”  I get it. But there are other ways to accomplish this. You could have someone else watch your phone for a few hours every day. You may wish to leave it just in another room and check messages at routine intervals. Or maybe program your phone to ring for just a select group of callers. Voice mail is your friend. We live in a society in which we have to respond to everything “now.” It’s ok to just “stop.” It’s ok to hit the pause button, if only for a few moments. My mom used to tell me “Jule, just stop and go look at the clouds.” She was way ahead of her time in coaching stress management.

Exercise. 

This is a tough one for me personally. My doctor suggested just 15 minutes every day before showering for the day. That didn’t work so well, but doing so while I watch the news has ended up being the ticket. You need to find something that works for you, such as taking a walk around the block or the mall. Not all of us are cut out for the gym, but there are other ways that you can incorporate exercise into your daily routine.  Growing up in a big family in the 60s and 70s, we used to “dance” while we made dinner and dishes afterwards.  That not only led to great exercise, but lots of laughter as well.

Find something to laugh about. The act of laughing releases endorphins in our brain that actually makes us feel better.  When we are experiencing times of high stress, sometimes the last thing you can ever imagine is laughing. When we are experiencing stress associated with grief or significant loss it may seem impossible. In such cases, perhaps a tiny step towards laughter may be a smile. It’s a start.

Journaling can help.

During times when we feel a loss of control, writing things not only provides a sense of order by memorializing events that may seem overwhelming, but also provides a means to “put it away.” Journaling is particularly helpful for caregivers who are taking their loved one to multiple clinical appointments and having help come into the home.  It’s hard to keep in straight without writing it down.

We all need reminders now and then about simple things we can do to impact how we feel and how to keep us healthy. In the case of caregivers, it is even more important to take a little time for “self.”

Julie Arndt is a licensed social worker working in the field of geriatrics for over twenty five years with expertise in medical case management and community based services.  You can reach Julie at GolderCare Solutions Unlimited, LLC (309) 764-2273.

Kathy Nitz is a Benefits Advocate for GolderCare Solutions. She uses her wealth of knowledge and experience in benefits planning to help seniors and those who are disabled.