Self Care During National Family Caregiver Month

Family caregivers work hard to make sure their care recipients are healthy and safe. Simply put, caregiving can be exhausting and can lead to burnout. It can be difficult to care for yourself when caring for someone else. However, when your needs are met, you will be a more effective caregiver. When you are on a flight, the flight attendants always recommend you put on your own oxygen mask before you assist anyone else.
 
Signs of caregiver stress:

• Lack of sleep

• Lack of exercise

• Poor eating habits

• Not resting when ill

• Skipping own medical appointments

• Anxiety or irritability

• Increased substance use

While it may seem like a daunting task, there are ways to improve your wellbeing while caregiving. Following a daily schedule with set meal times, relaxation time, and bedtime can help. It takes three to four weeks to form a habit, so stick with it. Yoga, exercise, and social activities are also good ways to reduce stress. Don’t be afraid to reach out for and accept help from friends and family. People are often more willing to help than you may think.
 
The Department on Aging offers various caregiver support programs. We have caregiver support groups and a general stress reduction support group, “Caring for Ourselves.” We also provide counseling services led by some of our social workers. Our upcoming Caregiver Month of Care offers several virtual self-care activities and a fall activity in the Seymour Center parking lot. We will give out gift baskets to caregivers as well. See below for more information about our November programming, and as always, feel free to reach out the the Aging Information Helpline with any questions: (919) 968-2087.

Activity Engagement Coaching

As we all continue to spend a lot of time at home due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it can be challenging to find ways to keep loved ones with dementia engaged throughout the day.

For caregivers connected to our various dementia support programs, we are now offering one-on-one consultations (via phone or GoToMeeting) where we can brainstorm together with you to identify enjoyable activities that are:

• person-centered, i.e. tailored to your loved one’s current and past interests, likes, preferences

• meaningful
• appropriately modified to current level of cognitive ability, thereby reducing frustration and stress

If interested, please contact Lisa Meinert (919-245-4251), certified Dementia Care Partner and Activity Professional or Marie Dagger, OTR/L (919-245-4279).