Strengthen family bonds and find support through family therapy in senior
caregiving.
There are specific milestones we may experience in our lives that, though not automatically negative, are known stressors. Losing a job. Starting a new job. Getting married. Getting divorced. And one that we in the home care industry are particularly mindful of: the mental and physical effect on family members who are caring for aging parents.
The fear and isolation brought on by COVID-19 wreaked havoc on the wellbeing of older adults, with nearly half of seniors surveyed in a Kaiser Family Foundation poll stating that their degree of stress and worry was negatively impacting their own health. It is crucial to remain in regular and frequent contact with senior loved ones, in order to watch for any signs or changes which might signify a mental health concern.
The holiday season is often associated with joy, festivities, and quality time spent with loved ones. However, for some individuals, especially seniors, the fall and winter months can trigger a form of clinical depression known as Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). This condition is more than just the winter blues; it can cast a shadow over the holidays, leading to feelings of sadness and nostalgia, particularly for seniors who reminisce about past celebrations with loved ones who are no longer present.
If a person you love is fighting cancer, they may be suffering from a few unpleasant side effects of the cancer treatment they are receiving, and you will want to do whatever you can to help relieve these symptoms. Even though just being there with them to provide comfort and friendship is in itself extremely helpful, there are additional steps you can take.
The holiday season is an ideal time to get together with friends and relatives, but it’s not exactly a relaxing time of year. The hustle and bustle of the holiday season, from shopping to parties to family get-togethers, can be incredibly stressful, and when you’ve got someone to provide care for, your own duties can fall by the wayside. CareFor wants to help with some holiday tips for caregivers to make the season a little less overwhelming.
It’s the most joyful time of the year! But, if you’re one of the millions of Americans who is caring for an older relative, the approaching holidays may seem more like the most overwhelming time of the year. Setting aside time for yourself may have dropped to the very end of your to-do checklist, but the home care specialists at CareFor would like to encourage you to think again and reprioritize your self-care! Self-care for family caregivers is vital not only during the holidays but also throughout the year.
Most people go through times when they simply want to be left alone for a while with their thoughts, to sort out circumstances in their lives without distractions, or just to have some downtime. For older people, however, being isolated for an extended period of time may be indicative of a more serious condition: depression. If your loved one is facing senior depression, how will you know?