Tips for Managing Caregiver Stress
![]() - Maintain a positive attitude - Be flexible and accept the circumstances - Be honest and open about your feelings - Take it one day at a time - Get a good night's sleep - Incorporate stress management techniques, such as meditation or deep breathing, as well as exercise into your daily routine - Drink plenty of water and eat a healthful diet full of fruits and vegetables - Set realistic goals and go slow Getting Help with Caregiving Everyone needs a break from time to time, even caregivers. Look into respite programs for a chance to care for yourself. Types of respite include: Home Care - Home care is often initiated by a doctor's order or hospital stay and administered by medical professionals who come into the home and help with personal care and housekeeping functions. - Medicare covers some home health services. Adult Day Programs - Social-model programs offer stimulation, socialization and therapeutic activities in a community-based group setting and often include meals. - Medical-model programs (adult day health care programs), offer health-based services as well as social activities in a group setting. - Some programs include assistance with activities of daily living and transportation. - Adult day services charge per hour and may be covered under some long-term care insurance policies. - Medicaid covers some adult day health programs. Facility-Based Respite - Provide a short stay for your loved one in a nursing home or another facility - Facilities typically charge for each day your loved one is in their care. - Medicare or Medicaid may cover some costs of an inpatient facility. Family and Friends - Identify responsible family members and friends who can lend a hand in providing supervision for your loved one and create a rotating care schedule, if possible. - Enlist the help of family members living in different states by assigning them tasks such as legal or financial paperwork. Source: Alzheimer's Foundation of America |
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