How to Manage Caregiver Stress

We know the job of a family caregiver can be very stressful so it is important to recognize the signs of stress and to get help before you reach the burnout stage.  The Helpguide.org website explains that taking the time to “rest, relax, and recharge isn’t a luxury—it’s a necessity.” 

Caregivers experience stress for a number of reasons, some of which might include dealing with the changes in the family dynamic, household disruption and financial pressure.  Also caregiving is an everyday, long-term task that is in addition to a person’s regular workload, which may already include a career and raising children. 

Most experts agree that as a caregiver, you need to ask for help, and to do so before you become stressed or burnt out.  You must speak up for yourself and express exactly what it is you need to make the situation work.  Furthermore, be sure to make time for yourself.  Set aside at least ½ hour each day, and make a point to get out of the house and visit with friends or participate in activities you enjoy as often as possible.  Another suggestion is to practice acceptance and focus on the ways you can realistically improve the situation. 

You must be sure to not neglect your own health as you cannot be of help to anyone if you are sick.  Also a caregiver support group is a great place to find people who are going through the same thing you are.  It provides a way to share your experience and to listen to others.  Many support groups are targeted to caregivers in similar circumstances, and if you cannot get out, there are many groups on the Internet.  

SYNERGY HomeCare’s respite care services make it possible for caregivers to take some much-needed time for themselves while still meeting the needs of their loved one.  Contact us to learn how we can help. 

At SYNERGY HomeCare, we are one of the most respected names in home care in Colorado serving the Front Range since 2006. Currently we have 5 offices and will be adding 2 more locations in 2015, and our successful growth can be summarized by one word, "Service".  Our mission is to make sure that every client is treated with the upmost respect and dignity, and we strive to incorporate those beliefs into all of our home health care services. We are available 24/7 to listen to your unique story and provide you answers to all your questions.

Sources: helpguide.org/articles/stress/caregiving-stress-and-burnout.htm

Caring for a Loved One After a Stroke

According the Stroke Center, strokes are the third leading cause of death in the U.S. and approximately 795,000 people suffer from a stroke each year.  This means that on average, every 40 seconds someone in the United States has a stroke.

Furthermore, strokes are the leading cause of serious, long-term disability.  The Stroke Center states that, “Family caregivers and friends play a critical role in a loved one’s recovery from stroke, particularly as time spent in hospitals and rehabilitation facilities continues to decrease.”  Since a stroke can take at least two years to recover from, most of the time a person spends recovering from the event is at home in the care of friends or family members.   

The WebMD site offers some good advice for anyone caring for a loved one recovering from a stroke.  Their first recommendation is to educating yourself as much as possible about their condition and prognosis.  Take advantage of a community or hospital run program to learn about stroke and the rehabilitation process.

They also advise families to look into their insurance and Medicare coverage.  This way you will know what type of expenses you will be expected to cover and not get any unpleasant surprises down the road.  Another tip from WebMD is to attend a few therapy sessions with your loved one so you can understand what they are going through and better support them during their recovery.    

Perhaps most importantly they recommend that you “assess your loved one's needs as well as your ability to meet them.”  This means you may need to seek some outside help from professionals who can assist you in providing the best care for them. 

Services such as SNYERGY HomeCare can provide assistance with a wide range of physical care services to help you or your loved one recover and cope following a stroke.   Our home care services are versatile, flexible, and customized for your comfort and peace of mind.  Contact us to learn more. 

*Our post is for information purposes only and not a substitute for seeking medical advice.

At SYNERGY HomeCare, we are one of the most trusted names in home care in Colorado serving the Front Range since 2006. We have grown to 5 offices and will add 2 more locations in 2015.  Our successful growth can be summarized by one word, "Service".  Our mission is to ensure that every client is treated with the upmost respect and dignity, and we strive to incorporate those beliefs into all of our home health care services. We are available 24/7 to listen to your unique story and provide you answers to all your questions.

Sources:webmd.com/stroke/features/stroke-recovery-tips-for-the-caregiver, strokecenter.org/patients/about-stroke/stroke-statistics/

New Report from the CDC Show High Rates of Osteoporosis

A recently released report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shows that 25 percent of all American women aged 65 or older suffer from osteoporosis.   In men over 65 years, the figure drops to about 6 percent.

Osteoporosis is the gradual weakening of the skeletal system and causes bones to become weak and brittle.  Those with the disease have a greatly increased risk of fractures from falls or even mild stresses.  One of the most common ways to diagnose it is through a dual X-ray absorptiometry, also called DXA or DEXA.  This test is used to measures the bone mineral density (BMD) of the spine, hip or total body bone density to help evaluate a person’s risk of fracture.   The scan is painless and noninvasive and typically takes no more than 10 or 20 minutes.

One of the results from the study is that experts agree that there should be a bigger push for more adults to get tested for the disease.  Dr. Saad Chaudhary, a spine surgeon at Mount Sinai Beth Israel Hospital in New York City, says that osteoporosis and the less severe condition known as osteopenia (low bone mass) are “not just a problem for the 80-year-old individual, but starts to become an issue for many adults in their 50s and 60s."

The study was conducted by researchers, Anne Looker and Steven Frenk, of the CDC's Division of Health and Nutrition Examination Statistics and examined data from a large federal health survey done in 2005-2010.  Data from the study also indicates that osteopenia was discovered in 52 percent of senior women and 44 percent of senior men.    

Currently bone mineral density screening is recommended for all postmenopausal women.  For men aged 50 and over, the test is recommended based on risk factors.  All women age 70 and older as well as all men 80 and above should have the test done.  Furthermore, doctors recommend that to reduce your risk of osteoporosis in later life, eat plenty of calcium and Vitamin D enriched foods.  

** This post is intended for informational purposes only.  Consult your health care provider regarding all of your medical concerns. **

     

At SYNERGY HomeCare, we are one of the most trusted names in home care in Colorado serving the Front Range since 2006. We have grown to 5 offices and will be adding 2 more locations in 2015 and our successful growth can be summarized by one word, "Service".  Our mission is to ensure that every client is treated with the upmost respect and dignity, and we strive to incorporate those beliefs into all of our home health care services. We are available 24/7 to listen to your unique story and provide you answers to all your questions.

Sources:nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/news/fullstory_154101.html,webmd.com/healthy-aging/news/20150813/1-in-4-senior-women-in-us-has-osteoporosis-cdc

A Healthy Diet is Important for Seniors

We know it is important for everyone to eat well and seniors are no exception.  In fact Help.guide.org, the non-profit guide to mental health and well-being, suggests that for those over 50, “the benefits include increased mental acuteness, resistance to illness and disease, higher energy levels, faster recuperation times, and better management of chronic health problems.”

The USDA recommends that seniors make some simply modifications to their diet to ensure the food they eat is rich in nutrients and vitamins and to try to avoid unhealthy options.   Their suggestions include instead of using salt to flavor food, seniors should get in the habit of using spices and herbs. Also have available sliced fruits and vegetables for snacks and meals.   They also recommend eating foods fortified with vitamin B12, such as fortified cereals and to drink 3 cups of fat-free or low-fat milk daily.  If you cannot tolerate milk, then eat yogurt, hard cheeses or lactose-free foods.   Most importantly they remind seniors to drink water, not soda or other sugary drinks.  

As some seniors suffer from a decreased appetite due to lack of exercise or from medications, it is even more critical that the food they do eat is nutritional.  In addition eating healthy foods helps to maintain your weight or to lose weight if you need to.  The daily diet for seniors should include colorful fruits and vegetables, whole grains and lean proteins.  

The National Institute of Aging says physically inactive women over 50 need to consume about 1600 calories a day, and those somewhat active women should get around 1800 calories.  For women over 50 who lead a very active lifestyle, they need approximately 2,000 calories daily.  Men over 50 not physically active only need 2,000 calories, somewhat active men about 22-2400 and very active men require 2400-2800 calories daily.

SYNERGY HomeCare is one of the most trusted names in home care in Colorado serving the Front Range since 2006. We have grown to 5 offices and will be adding 2 more locations in 2015 and our successful growth can be summarized by one word, "Service".   Our mission is to ensure that every client is treated with the upmost respect and dignity, and we strive to incorporate those beliefs into all of our home health care services. We are available 24/7 to listen to your unique story and provide you answers to all your questions.

Sources:helpguide.org/articles/healthy-eating/eating-well-as-you-age.htm choosemyplate.gov/older-adults