Reno, NV June 29, 2009 – As the number of baby boomers reaching retirement age steadily grows in the Reno, Sparks, and Carson City areas, family members of aging loved ones are facing the difficult task of providing care while continuing to work, parent and maintain their marital and social relationships.
According to the Family Caregiver Alliance, today, 83 percent of those providing care to seniors are unpaid individuals such as family members, friends, and neighbors. Thus, now more than ever it is critical for family caregivers to understand the health risks associated with the demands being placed upon them.
Right at Home of Reno, a leading local provider of in-home companion and personal care to seniors and others, understands the challenges family members face when providing care to an aging loved one. It is with these compassionate, selfless relatives in mind that Right at Home offers these useful tips to help improve the quality of life for family caregivers.
Managing the Stress
Family caregivers take on a wide range of responsibilities for their aging loved ones. They provide varying degrees of support, including tasks such as running errands, making financial decisions, giving 24/7 personal care and liaising with medical professionals. Undeniably, family caregivers are faced with a vast array of complex issues.
Fortunately for family caregivers, there are steps to take that can help alleviate some of the pressures associated with caring for others. In their tips for caregivers, AARP notes, “taking care of yourself and your needs is like performing regular maintenance on your car.” The organization offers several ways for caregivers to nurture themselves and improve their well-being. These include:
· Eating nutritious meals
· Exercising
· Engaging in social activities
· Asking for help from friends and relatives
· Taking vacations
· Talking to friends and co-workers in similar situations
· Clearing your mind on a daily basis through meditation, walking, reading or listening to music
· Planning and setting priorities with realistic goals for caregiving responsibilities
· Focusing on the positive and holding family meetings when conflict arises
Given that most family members begin providing care to their loved ones without training or counseling, they often are not aware of the overwhelming stress associated with it. For that reason, it is important to receive counseling and to develop a plan of action prior to making a caregiving commitment.
The Older Americans Act, passed in 1965, provides resources to the State of Nevada in support of caregivers. Programs are offered at minimal to no cost, and include: counseling, caregiver training, respite care, adult day care, meals, and more.
In addition to state-funded programs, professional in-home care providers, such as Right at Home of Reno, work with families to relieve the burden placed on them as primary caregivers. Professional in-home care agencies offer trained, fully screened, insured and bonded caregivers who can offer services for as little as a few hours a week, when a family caregiver simply needs respite, to 24 hours a day. Their services include companion care, which includes medication reminders, meal preparation and light housekeeping. Some in-home care agencies also provide personal care, encompassing bathing, toileting and 24-hour emergency response.
Lastly, caregivers should consider joining a support group. Talking to others in a compassionate environment where everyone is facing similar personal situations can help caregivers vent their stressful emotions.
About Right at Home
Founded in 1995, Right at Home offers in-home companion and personal care and assistance to seniors and disabled adults who want to continue to live independently. Select offices provide light skilled nursing as well. Right at Home directly employs all caregiving staff, each of whom are thoroughly screened, trained, bonded and insured prior to entering a client’s home. All ongoing care is monitored and supervised by more than 160 local independent franchisees. Right at Home’s national office is based in Omaha, Nebraska with franchise offices located in 41 states nationwide. For more information on Right at Home, visit the company’s website at www.rightathome.net. To sign up for Right at Home’s free adult caregiving eNewsletter, Caring Right at Home, please go to www.caringnews.com.
According to the Family Caregiver Alliance, today, 83 percent of those providing care to seniors are unpaid individuals such as family members, friends, and neighbors. Thus, now more than ever it is critical for family caregivers to understand the health risks associated with the demands being placed upon them.
Right at Home of Reno, a leading local provider of in-home companion and personal care to seniors and others, understands the challenges family members face when providing care to an aging loved one. It is with these compassionate, selfless relatives in mind that Right at Home offers these useful tips to help improve the quality of life for family caregivers.
Managing the Stress
Family caregivers take on a wide range of responsibilities for their aging loved ones. They provide varying degrees of support, including tasks such as running errands, making financial decisions, giving 24/7 personal care and liaising with medical professionals. Undeniably, family caregivers are faced with a vast array of complex issues.
Fortunately for family caregivers, there are steps to take that can help alleviate some of the pressures associated with caring for others. In their tips for caregivers, AARP notes, “taking care of yourself and your needs is like performing regular maintenance on your car.” The organization offers several ways for caregivers to nurture themselves and improve their well-being. These include:
· Eating nutritious meals
· Exercising
· Engaging in social activities
· Asking for help from friends and relatives
· Taking vacations
· Talking to friends and co-workers in similar situations
· Clearing your mind on a daily basis through meditation, walking, reading or listening to music
· Planning and setting priorities with realistic goals for caregiving responsibilities
· Focusing on the positive and holding family meetings when conflict arises
Given that most family members begin providing care to their loved ones without training or counseling, they often are not aware of the overwhelming stress associated with it. For that reason, it is important to receive counseling and to develop a plan of action prior to making a caregiving commitment.
The Older Americans Act, passed in 1965, provides resources to the State of Nevada in support of caregivers. Programs are offered at minimal to no cost, and include: counseling, caregiver training, respite care, adult day care, meals, and more.
In addition to state-funded programs, professional in-home care providers, such as Right at Home of Reno, work with families to relieve the burden placed on them as primary caregivers. Professional in-home care agencies offer trained, fully screened, insured and bonded caregivers who can offer services for as little as a few hours a week, when a family caregiver simply needs respite, to 24 hours a day. Their services include companion care, which includes medication reminders, meal preparation and light housekeeping. Some in-home care agencies also provide personal care, encompassing bathing, toileting and 24-hour emergency response.
Lastly, caregivers should consider joining a support group. Talking to others in a compassionate environment where everyone is facing similar personal situations can help caregivers vent their stressful emotions.
About Right at Home
Founded in 1995, Right at Home offers in-home companion and personal care and assistance to seniors and disabled adults who want to continue to live independently. Select offices provide light skilled nursing as well. Right at Home directly employs all caregiving staff, each of whom are thoroughly screened, trained, bonded and insured prior to entering a client’s home. All ongoing care is monitored and supervised by more than 160 local independent franchisees. Right at Home’s national office is based in Omaha, Nebraska with franchise offices located in 41 states nationwide. For more information on Right at Home, visit the company’s website at www.rightathome.net. To sign up for Right at Home’s free adult caregiving eNewsletter, Caring Right at Home, please go to www.caringnews.com.
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