Here’s a quick, yet very apt comparison. If your car is out of gas or running on fumes, you’re not going to go far. Take that and apply it to yourself. You’re one of the 11 million unpaid caregivers who are currently caring for a parent with dementia.
While it’s easy to focus so much of your time helping your dad, you’ll burn out. If you have no energy left at the end of the day, how can you take care of yourself? And, if you’re not taking care of yourself, how long can you really keep going before you collapse from exhaustion?
Your dad may have dementia and need your help, but you have to take care of yourself first. Prioritize your emotional, mental, and physical health.
What Self-Care Tasks Are You Overlooking?
Everyone has basic needs. You need to eat and drink enough food and liquids each day. You need to get a minimum of 30 minutes of exercise. You also have to socialize.
You need to keep yourself clean, have clean clothes to wear, and maintain your health needs through prescriptions, regular medical and dental appointments, and recreational activities that you’re passionate about.
As you take care of your dad, how much of this is being pushed aside? You’ve always been an avid reader, but it’s been months since you’ve touched a book. You can’t keep doing that. Your mental health requires you to do things you enjoy, whether it’s reading, gardening, going to the movies with friends, or building Japanese model kits.
Are You Eating Properly?
It’s easy to cut corners at the end of a busy day by ordering takeout foods again. Three nights this week, you’ve been too tired to cook, so you’ve ordered and picked up a pizza, fast food, or takeout Chinese. All three of those options are high in sugar, saturated fat, and sodium. It’s not what your body needs.
Make sure you’re eating properly. Have meals that are high in fiber, contain many colorful vegetables, and offer lean proteins like salmon or tofu.
Hire Home Care Services to Ensure Your Dad Isn’t Alone
Home care aides help your dad while you’re taking a break. Visit friends, go shopping, take a walk, or have that vacation you’ve been longing for. While you’re away, your dad’s caregiver helps him with housekeeping, personal care, transportation, meals, and laundry. Plus, he has someone to socialize with in your absence.
Schedule home care by talking to a specialist. Go over the care your dad needs and how often you help him with each task on that list. You’ll learn more about prices, get answers to your questions, and set up home care visits from there.
Sources:
https://www.alz.org/alzheimers-dementia/facts-figures
If you or an aging loved one is considering home care in Cherry Hills, CO, call the caring staff at SYNERGY Home Care of Denver today. 303-756-9322
