Caregiver Health: April is Physical Wellness Month and for those of you caring for an aging parent, disabled adult child, spouse, or anyone else, the toll it can take on your life is immense.

You may not think about it, or even notice the impact in the beginning, but it’s real.
Stress can affect everyone’s life. In fact, stress affects almost everyone today. Work pressures, financial worries, drive to succeed… just about everywhere you turn you will notice the impact stress has on your life, relationships, career, and, of course, your health.

Why would caring for mom be stressful?

Maybe this is something you’re doing out of a sense of love and affection. Perhaps it’s because you feel obligated, as though it’s your responsibility. After all, many parents sacrificed much for their children, even when those children were full-grown adults.
At first, you didn’t hesitate. You saw there was a need and stepped up to fill that need. At that time, it might not have seemed all that stressful. It was more a matter of stopping by and checking in on her a couple of times a week.

No big deal, right?

However, as often happens among many people, when they start dealing with challenges in life and receive some help, it becomes a bit easier to turn to help for more and more assistance, especially if that helper is willing and able.
Eventually, you may have found that helping your mom was becoming a daily adventure. You started swinging over to her house in the morning, showing up late for work, checking on her with a quick call at lunch that turned into a half-hour conversation, then routine visits in the evening.
Before long, your entire life seemed consumed by supporting her. And that’s where the caregiver-health and stress started creeping in.

Caregiver Health: How can you take better care of yourself?

With that increased stress, you will start feeling the effects physically. It might be tougher to sleep at night. You haven’t had time to exercise in months. Fast food or frozen processed meals could be your ticket to eat nowadays.
None of that is healthy. The older you are, the more these habits are going to negatively impact your physical wellness.

In order to take better care of yourself, you need time. Hiring home care to help look after your mother is the best way to get that time.
When you rely on the support of an agency, an aide could be there in the mornings or evenings to help your mother. Or any time you needed them. Then you can get back to looking after your caregiver-health a little, too.

 

If you or an aging loved-one are considering hiring a Caregiver in Pismo Beach, CA, please contact the friendly staff at San Luis Obispo Caregivers.
Call today: (805) 748-2614


David Wood, Owner, SLO Caregivers
David Wood, Owner, SLO Caregivers

San Luis Obispo Caregivers was created in memory of my Grandfather, Tracy Gordon Wood II. My mission is to honor him by providing trustworthy, compassionate, and competitively priced caregiving services to seniors in my community. After 25 years in the financial industry and the decision to leave behind a successful 6-year position as the Chief Operating Officer of SESLOC Federal Credit Union, I created San Luis Obispo Home Care. This decision served my desire to make a difference and support the growing needs of seniors in my community. As my business grew and I leaned heavily on my financial background, I realized there was a much more cost-effective way to provide seniors with the care they deserve. This realization led to the creation of San Luis Obispo Caregivers, a referral agency and SLO Senior Placement, a free resource for families looking for independent or assisted living options for seniors. Ultimately, I listen, assess your situation and recommend various options that are available for your family.