Home Caregivers Must Take Time For Self-Care

Every March, the nation celebrates the different roles a working mom fills during National Working Mom’s Day. Do you have children at home, work, and take care of your parents? You’re a sandwich generation caregiver, and it’s an incredibly challenging role. 

If you’re like many caregivers who are sandwiched between caring for older parents and children still living at home, you put their needs first. Plus, you have a job requiring your focus. You don’t take care of yourself as well as you do others, and that can become a problem. You have to take care of yourself, too, and maybe even consider hiring home care for your senior parent to alleviate the stress.

Five Things You Need to Do For Yourself

When it comes to self-care, there’s more to it than making sure you’re current on your doctor’s appointments or dental visits. Taking care of your health is important, but you also need to take care of your mental and emotional health. Here are five ways you can do just that.

• First, leave one hour every day where no one can bug you. It’s an hour where you are alone and can read a book, soak in a bubble bath, meditate, paint, or do whatever it is that makes you happy and relaxed. You might want to go for a walk alone or sit in the sun and listen to the birds.
• Second, eat a healthy diet and avoid fast food and ultra-processed items. Aim for whole grains, dairy, fresh vegetables and fruits, and lean proteins. Skip the sugar and saturated fat.
• Third, make sure you’re getting enough sleep. Aim for seven to eight hours of sleep each night. To do this, set a time when you will go to sleep each night. If you know you have to be up at 5 a.m., you want to be asleep around 9 p.m.
• Fourth, do something fun with your parent ,and children each week. You want to spend quality time with them, but you want to have fun, too. You could go to the zoo together or head to a museum for a day. 
• Fifth, do you get the recommended 30 minutes of exercise each day? Make sure you do, as this helps you stay healthy. It also helps reduce stress. A 30-minute brisk walk is a good start, but you can add in exercise programs like Tai Chi, Yoga, or Zumba.

Arrange Respite Care Services

Always put your needs first. It may be hard to adjust, but if you burn out, who helps your kids and dad at that point? Keep yourself mentally, emotionally, and physically healthy in order to ensure they get the best possible care from you.

The best way to have time for self-care is by scheduling home care aides to help your dad when you’re taking care of yourself. He’ll have a caregiver with him as needed, and you’re able to help him out when you have the time available. Talk to a home care specialist about respite care to get started.

If you or an aging loved-one is considering Home Care in Webster Groves, MO please contact the caring staff at Autumn Home Care, LLC today at 636-448-9347.

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Kimberly Burdo

Owner at Autumn Home Care, LLC

Autumn Home Care is a locally owned and operated in-home elder care provider, dedicated to helping clients remain in the homes they love for as long as they can. We are a non-medical home care company, staffed by warm and compassionate professionals, experienced in taking care of seniors in various stages of health. We handle a wide range of services, such as help with shopping, housekeeping, attending doctor’s appointments, and preparing meals. We also provide clients with limited mobility or more intensive conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease or Dementia that need a higher level of personal care. Call our team if you need help with a loved one's care.

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