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/

The Early Signs of Alzheimer’s

The Alzheimer’s Organization’s website has a list of warning signs that may indicate the early stages of Alzheimer’s.  However they caution that everyone’s experience is different, and if you suspect a problem to consult with your doctor.  

One of the first signs they list is experiencing memory loss to the extent that it disrupts a person’s life.  The most common symptom of Alzheimer’s is memory loss and it first starts by affecting recently learned information.  Problems include: “forgetting important dates or events; asking for the same information over and over; increasingly needing to rely on memory aids (e.g., reminder notes or electronic devices) or family members for things they used to handle on their own.”

The Alzheimer’s Organization next cites difficulty in planning or organizing common activities.  Examples include struggling to follow a recipe or keeping track of monthly bills.  Another problem may be struggling to complete familiar tasks at home or at work.  Confusion is also associated with Alzheimer’s, and in the early stages someone may start forgetting things such as what time of year it is or what season. 

While seniors often have vision problems, someone with Alzheimer’s can have problems understanding visual images and spatial relationships such as with reading or judging distance.  This is critical to recognize if the person is still driving.  Furthermore, someone in the early stages may start to have trouble following conversations or with talking.  They may start to speak but suddenly stop mid-stream while they attempt to find the right word.

Helping a loved one with Alzheimer’s is a difficult task and can cause a great deal of stress.  Agencies such as Colorado’s SYNERGY HomeCare provide families the kind of services they need when caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s.   

*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 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.

Source: alz.org/alzheimers_disease_10_signs_of_alzheimers.asp?type=alzFooter#signs

Ensuring Your Loved One Gets the Proper Care

Even if your aging parent has reached the point in their life that they require assistance with everyday tasks, it doesn’t necessarily mean they must move into an assisted living facility or nursing home.  Today, families can find quality, professional in home care that can give their loved one the assistance they need to continue to live comfortably and safely at home. 

Agencies such as Denver’s SYNERGY Homecare provide a full range of services including complete care management.  While our services are non-medical, they are nonetheless just as important to the wellbeing of your family member.  When a family opts for comprehensive care management services, our coordinated approach ensures your loved one is enjoying a healthy, safe and independent lifestyle and following their doctor’s orders. 

Our broad range of services includes providing transportation to doctors’ appointments as well as scheduling and attending the appointments.  If appropriate, we facilitate communication between our client and the doctor and family members. 

In addition to assisting with daily personal care activities, we also can provide assistance with light housekeeping, meal preparation, errands and grocery shopping.  If clients are encouraged to exercise, we can help them to do it safely and will also provide medication reminders.  Since services include meal preparation and grocery shopping, we can assist in the management of special dietary restrictions and guidelines to help control diabetes, hypertension and heart disease.  

SYNERGY HomeCare extensive services are available 24/7 and all of our caregiver are thoroughly screened and are matched to your individual needs.  Furthermore, each caregiver receives ongoing training, and is committed to providing the highest quality care. 

     

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.