Home Care for Seniors - Important Advice For Home Care Givers

Homecare for seniors is a hard and stressful job. Are you affected by the following?

Irritability, anxiety, and unrelenting exhaustion? Eating way too much, gaining weight, having difficulty keeping food down, losing weight without trying? Sleeping all the time, sitting down and 'out like a light' - or can't go to sleep, can't stay asleep? Can't focus, can't concentrate, can't make one more decision, failed to feed the pet, brush teeth, take out the garbage, pay the bills - again? No energy, no pep, just don't feel well?

These are common experiences of the care giver. The dirty little secret of the burdens on caregivers and the consequences of these burdens is usually not only not spoken of, they're more frequently not even realized.

When we're under pressure as carers, it's important to have outlets for relief and to intermittently recharge ourselves. Otherwise we cause injury to ourselves and everyone around us.

Your first job as a carer is to look after yourself. That's often difficult to do, and a last minute addition for plenty of us, but we need to make sure we survive and stay strong, so as to do the best job we will be able to.

Research regularly shows that the mix of loss, prolonged stress, the physical demands of caregiving, and competing demands on obligations and time place the carer in jeopardy for significant health Problems as well as an earlier death. If you can not help yourself, you cannot help anyone else, and everybody loses.

Help can come from community resources, family, buddies and professionals. Ask them. Don't wait till you are overwhelmed and exhausted or your health fails. Reaching out for help when you need it's a sign of private strength.

Find a support group. Use your private network of family and friends. A support group for carers targeted to living with similar issues that you face can supply not just a protected haven, but tips for daily living. There is great strength in knowing you aren't alone

Hire others to help with caregiving. If possible, you may need to hire help. The most significant thing is to find true people to provide assistance. Use counseled home care agencies, talk with mates about their experiences and interview execs before deciding on the one you're going to retain.

Take care of your health . Get good nourishment, lots of sleep, and routine exercise to remain in top health. Clean your hands continually to stop colds and flu. Manage your stress with laughter, a prayer or a big breath. Nourish your soul with a little taste of activities that recharge your batteries such as writing in your book or gardening. Finally, talk to your GP if you're feeling depressed or concerned.

Joan Van De Moortel is Executive Director of Care for You, Inc., a Washington DC senior home care services provider specializing in senior companion programs for independent living. Get more tips for home care givers at http://careforyou.us