Being a primary caregiver is similar to having a full-time job where you’re always on the clock. According to the National Alliance for Caregiving, over 65 million people provide care for an elderly loved one and spend around 20 hours per week doing so. While some of the caregivers just focus on caring for a loved one, others have jobs and their own family to take care of as well. In other words, being a primary caregiver can be stressful and finding peace can be challenging. You have to take care of yourself as much as you do your loved one, and here’s how you can safely access what you need while minimizing trips outside the home.
Utilize Online Resources
It may be part of your routine to go grocery shopping weekly for your family or your loved one. However, the more you go out, the more exposure you have to bacteria, germs and viruses that you could catch or pass on. Now is a great time to utilize online resources like delivery and curbside options to get the grocery shopping done and take care of other necessities. Many prescriptions can be ordered and filled online without needing to step foot into a medical facility.
Technology Can Keep You Socially Connected
The aging population may not be in tune with the technology available today, but you can teach them how to use it. Staying socially connected is necessary for your health and wellbeing, as well as for your loved one. When caring for a loved one, consider using FaceTime, Skype or other applications to check in on them to reduce the number of times you have to go to their home. You’ll be minimizing exposure as well as saving valuable time to allow you to do other things to help your sanity.
Discover What You Need For Your Mental Health
It’s easy for a primary caregiver to think about the well-being of their loved ones and neglect their own health. You have to find peace, joy and happiness somehow, and you don’t have to leave the house to do so. Use technology to organize group chat sessions about topics you care about. This could include book clubs, volunteering opportunities, worship services and more. Your mental health is important for your overall health, so take the time to discover exactly what you need to improve yours.
Next Day Access has a high level of respect for caregivers caring for a loved one. They put forth so much effort to ensure their loved one is taken care of and the selfless acts daily do not go unnoticed. Making life at home as simple as possible is what we are all about. If a mobility product or solution can help make a senior’s life easier, then we know the benefits trickle down to the primary caregiver as well. If there’s anything we can do to help bring you peace of mind, contact us today.
