5 New Year’s Resolutions for Caregivers
With the New Year upon us, it’s time to evaluate the successes of the past year, and start to plan our goals and resolutions for the upcoming year. For family caregivers, this can be a very important time of year, as you can take some time to reflect on how the caregiving process has affected you and your loved one, and what changes may need to be made in the new year.
During your reflection, take some time to decide how you can make healthy resolutions that are achievable and sustainable. Remember, even though you are caring for someone else, you should still make yourself and your health a priority.
Here are a few ideas for New Year’s resolutions for caregivers.
Get Legal and Medical Documents Organized
We know it’s difficult to keep track of all of your loved one’s legal and medical documents, but it may only get worse the longer you wait to get them in order. This may not be a fun resolution, but it will give you peace-of-mind to know that important papers are exactly where you need them to be. Make a goal this year to get everything squared away so that you are ready in the event that you need to grab a specific document very quickly and easily. If you’re falling behind, seek the help of a professional to help you get organized.
Make Your Own Physical and Mental Health a Priority
Make a goal to get more sleep on a regular basis, and join that support group you’ve been meaning to join. Stop making the excuse that you don’t have the time, because you know that taking care of yourself is the first step in being the best caregiver for someone else. Accept help when needed, and don’t be shy about reaching out to talk to someone about what you are going through as a caregiver.
Do More for Yourself
Go a step further than simply prioritizing your own health, and create a daily special time just for yourself. Maybe this means taking 30 minutes out of your day to meditate, indulge in a favorite snack, or read a juicy novel. Making time for activities you enjoy is also very important. Start that yoga class with your friend, or make a standing dinner date with your spouse. You’ll find that taking time to enjoy life will help with some of the stress that comes with caregiving on a daily basis.
Spend More Quality Time With Your Loved One
Plan some fun activities that you and your loved one can do together too! This may be doing a simple craft at home, or taking your loved one out to a park or a local zoo every once in awhile. Knowing that your time with your loved one is limited should give you reason to find little ways to make caregiving more about the time you have together, and less about the mundane day-to-day tasks.
Plan For Your Loved One’s Future
This is a tough one to consider, but you know that you won’t be able to care for your loved one on your own forever. It’s important to start to make plans for his or her future, which may include bringing in additional support. Make sure you understand the financial commitments of different types of caregiving, and have the important discussions about the future with your loved one while you can.
If you’d like more information on our nursing and caregiving services, contact us today at (786) 518-3622. We provide reliable and professional in-home caregiving services for everything from post-surgical recovery to long-term care.
References:
3 New Year’s Resolutions for Caregivers. (n.d.). Retrieved December 20, 2017, from http://dailycaring.com/3-new-years-resolutions-for-caregivers/
Dixon, L. (2016, January 07). 5 New Year’s Resolutions For Family Caregivers. Retrieved December 20, 2017, from https://www.huffingtonpost.com/laura-dixon/resolutions-family-caregivers_b_8901564.html
