1. Ask for Help

Asking for help doesn’t mean you’re failing when it comes to being a family caregiver. It means you realize receiving assistance gives you time to relax, regroup, and focus on things outside of your caregiving duties, which can be good for your mental and emotional health. Getting help allows you to take time off to relax and recharge, which can prevent serious health issues like exhaustion.

If you’re the primary family caregiver for an elderly loved one and need additional assistance providing high-quality senior care, Angel Touch Home Care can help. We are a leading home care agency committed to helping seniors live longer and healthier lives.

2. Get Educated

Many family caregivers are thrown into the job involuntarily, and often they have little or no experience in this area. However, caregivers can make it a priority to get educated about their loved ones’ health. Understanding how to simplify the caregiving process can reduce the amount of stress you experience and decrease the risk of a stroke, heart attack, and other serious health issues.

4. Visit the Doctor

It can become easy to put your health on hold while caring for an elderly loved one. However, ignoring your health could lead to serious consequences. By visiting the doctor on a regular basis, you can reduce your risk of infections, various types of cancer, and other health conditions.

Professional respite care is another option you can consider. In Boca Raton, respite care is a great help to many families. Caring for a senior loved one can be overwhelming at times, which puts family caregivers at risk for burnout. However, an in-home caregiver can take over your loved one’s care, allowing you the time you need to focus on your own health, maintain a full-time job, or care for other members of your family.

5. Eat Healthy & Exercise Regularly

It’s important to make time for meal prep and physical activities. If you ignore your own health and wellbeing, you may find it difficult to care for your loved one. However, taking the time to eat healthy meals and exercise on a regular basis can help you maintain good cardiovascular health, prevent obesity, and lower stress, which could lead to a higher quality of life.

6. Stay Social

Maintaining a social life outside of your caregiving duties can help you find the balance every family caregiver needs. Socializing can boost your mood, reduce the risk of isolation, and allow your body to combat everyday stress. Staying social gives you a chance to regroup and do things that make you happy, which can reduce the risk of depression, regret, and anger.

7. Praise Yourself for Your Hard Work

If no one else thanks you for your hard work, you can do it yourself. Praise yourself out loud, and do it often. Even if you simply think about all the good you’ve done for your loved one instead of saying it aloud, you can still boost your mental and emotional wellbeing.

One of the many reasons family caregivers feel stressed and burned out is because they try to manage all caregiving tasks alone. Make it a point to delegate your caregiving duties to others so you have a chance to focus on your own health and wellbeing. One of the most challenging tasks of helping an elderly relative age in place safely and comfortably is researching agencies that provide home care service. Boca Raton families can turn to Angel Touch Home Care for reliable, high-quality in-home care for aging adults. We offer 24-hour care for seniors who require extensive assistance, and we also offer respite care for family caregivers who need a break from their caregiving duties. To hire a professionally trained caregiver for your loved one, call us today.

As seniors age, the foods they eat can have a large impact on how their bodies function. Developing good diet plans can help older adults boost their cognitive health. The Mediterranean diet is a good choice because it consists of healthy foods that keep the mind and body in good shape. Here are some of the ways this diet can help seniors reduce their risk of dementia.

1. Blocks the Formation of Beta-Amyloid

Turmeric, ginger, and cumin are just a few of the herbs and spices used to cook meals when following the Mediterranean diet. These natural herbs and spices help seniors block the formation of beta-amyloid, which causes the plaque buildup that hinders brain function. The antioxidants from these herbs and spices can keep the brain functioning normally, reducing the risk of dementia.

Seniors with dementia may need assistance making healthier lifestyle choices, and they can benefit from professional in-home care. The type of elderly home care seniors need can vary. Some need assistance a few hours a day, while others require more extensive around-the-clock assistance. At Angel Touch Home Care, we tailor our care plans based on each senior’s individual care needs, and the plans can be adjusted at any time.

2. Prevents Diabetes

When following this diet, your senior loved one will eat healthy meals and snacks in moderation throughout the day. This helps your loved one maintain a healthy weight and prevent obesity. Being overweight puts seniors at higher risk for diabetes, which is associated with the development of dementia. Seniors with impaired insulin secretion, insulin resistance, or glucose intolerance also risk developing dementia.

3. Promotes Blood & Oxygen Flow

Poultry, fish, and other unprocessed meats are the basis of the Mediterranean diet. By eliminating processed meats and red meats, your loved one can reduce the risk of clogged arteries and blood clots. As a result, blood and oxygen can flow throughout the body, which helps the brain function at a normal rate. This can slow the progression of cognitive decline and reduce the risk of developing various age-related illnesses, including dementia.

4. Reduces Inflammation in the Brain

Vegetables, nuts, and fruits are some of the many anti-inflammatory foods included in the Mediterranean diet. Eating anti-inflammatory foods is a great way to preserve memory. These foods are known to fight against age-related cognitive decline by countering the harmful effects of free radicals, toxins, and inflammation.

5. Fights against Free Radicals

Healthy fat is the basis of the Mediterranean diet. All the food your loved one eats will need to be cooked in olive oil. Doing so provides the antioxidants needed to fight against free radicals. By clearing out the toxins, your loved one’s brain will be able to function normally, which could prevent dementia and other age-related illnesses.

Consider taking a break from your caregiving duties to speak to a doctor and create a healthy diet plan for your loved one. If you’re the primary caregiver for a senior family member and you need respite care, Boca Raton, FL, Angel Touch Home Care is here to help. Our respite caregivers are trained to assist older adults with a wide variety of everyday tasks, including meal prep, physical activity, and personal hygiene.

6. Reduces Stress Levels

The foods your loved one eats can keep his or her body more relaxed. However, some foods increase stress and anxiety. Chronic stress could lead to depression, which is a high risk factor associated with dementia and age-related cognitive decline. The Mediterranean diet plan not only includes eating healthy meals, but it also encourages people to enjoy time in nature and exercise regularly. The diet promotes healthy living and reduces stress levels.

There are a variety of age-related health conditions that can make it more challenging for seniors to live independently. However, many of the challenges they face can be easier to manage if their families opt for professional home care. Boca Raton families can rely on expertly trained caregivers to keep their loved ones safe and comfortable while aging in place. Call Angel Touch Home Care today to learn about our high-quality in-home care services.

Month: August 2024

7 Essential Tips for Family Caregivers to Boost Wellbeing