When you think about being a better caregiver, you might be thinking of ways to add ever more tasks to your busy schedule. But it’s really about taking better care of yourself so that you can focus on what you need to do for your aging adult.
Pay Attention to What You Eat
Just as it’s important for your aging adult to fuel her body properly with nutritious foods, you need to be doing the same. If you’re running around from task to task, you need nutrient-dense food to keep you going. Relying on fast foods or just grabbing something here and there is going to leave you feeling hungry and constantly low on the fuel you need.
Prioritize Sleep for Yourself
Besides food, proper sleep is the other aspect of your life that you really need to focus on. Food fuels your body, but getting the right amount of quality sleep allows your body and brain to recover from the stresses that you put it through every day. If you’re feeling that every day you feel foggy and unable to cope, your sleep habits may be to blame.
Establish a Support Network
Being a caregiver sometimes means that you face difficult decisions and situations. If you don’t have other people to talk to, you’re going to eventually feel very alone. Reach out to friends and other family members and let them know what is going on with you. If you don’t feel as if you have that level of support, then joining a support group allows you to meet other caregivers who can understand exactly what you’re feeling.
Delegate Tasks to Others
Even though it feels as if you have to do everything yourself, that’s not the case. You can and should delegate some of your tasks to others whenever possible. this gives you the chance to focus on the bigger issues and helping your aging adult deal with her changing health.
When you’re balanced and fueled, you can handle just about any situation as a family caregiver. None of these tips are selfish, even if they feel that way at first.
If you or an aging loved one are considering caregivers in South Riding, VA, please contact the caring staff at Assisting Hands today. (703) 982-0050.
