Home Instead Senior Care publishes guide for family caregivers

19/07/2010 15:42:24

Home Instead Senior Care has published a new guide for Ireland's 161,000 family caregivers.  Entitled, 'Running on Empty: Who cares for the caregiver?', the guide offers insight and information on caring for ageing parents and loved ones. 

Caregiving is a demanding role - both physically and mentally with many family carers providing around the clock care. The average number of hours of care provided by full time family carers is 110 hours per week -  over three times longer than the average paid worker in Ireland.

"While caregiving can be a very rewarding and bonding experience, the role is demanding which can result in a great deal of stress among family carers. A carer who takes care of herself or himself - body and mind - will ultimately be a better care to a loved one and experience less stress. Running on Empty is a great resource for family carers struggling to cope with stress ", said Ed Murphy of Home Instead Senior Care.

Caregiver stress can manifest itself in a wide range of ways, emotionally and physically, including disturbed sleep, headaches, weight fluctuation, fatigue, anxiety and mood swings. It is vitally important for family caregivers to recognise the signs and take steps to deal with stress before it becomes a major problem.

"It is our hope at Home Instead Senior Care that our new guide for family caregivers will help carers fully enjoy the caregiving labour of love and help family carers combat stress. Some key tips when caring for an ageing loved one include: :

• Work out: Exercise and enjoy something you like to do (walking, dancing, biking, running, swimming, etc.) for a minimum of 20 minutes at least three times per week. Consider learning a stress-management exercise such as yoga or tai-chi, which teach inner balance and relaxation.
• Meditate: Sit still and breathe deeply with your mind as “quiet” as possible whenever things feel like they are moving too quickly or you are feeling overwhelmed by your responsibilities as a caregiver. Many times you will feel like you don’t even have a minute to yourself, but it’s important to walk away and to take that minute.
• Take a break: Make arrangements for any necessary fill-in help (family, friends, volunteers or professional caregivers). Take single days or even a week’s vacation. And when you’re away, stay away. Talk about different things, read that book you haven’t been able to get to, take naps, whatever relaxes you and makes you happy."

Please contact your local Home Instead Senior Care office  to order a FREE copy of Running on Empty.