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479-636-7700 Licensed personnel referral service | www.superiorseniorcare.com Serving Seniors For Over 28 Years SAFE, DEPENDABLE, AFFORDABLE home care so you can stay where you want to be - at home! We offer: Housekeeping, Laundry, Shopping, Errands, Meal Planning/ Preparation, Transportation to Appointments, Medication Reminders, Personal Care services (bathing, dressing, grooming, etc). Senior Health Fair 14C F Wednesday, September 13, 2017 The Weekly Vista Coping as a family caregiver Individuals are born into the world requiring the care of their parents and other adult guardians to grow and thrive. These adult children, in turn, may end up providing care when their parents reach senior age or face an illness or disability. Becoming a family caregiver fre - quently is a tough choice to make. It requires patience and time, and can be emotionally and physically taxing. An estimated 43.5 million adults in the United States have provided unpaid care to an adult or a child in the prior 12 months, according to the National Alliance for Caregiving and AARP Pub - lic Policy Institute. It's not uncommon for caregiv- ers of any age to feel stressed and burned out by the demands of care- giving. The Mayo Clinic says people who experience caregiver stress can be vulnerable to changes in their own health. Some signs of caregiver stress include: • Feeling overwhelmed or constantly worried • Feeling tired most of the time • Gaining or losing a lot of weight • Becoming easily irritated or angry • Losing interest in activities you used to enjoy • Having frequent headaches, bodily pain or other physical problems Some caregivers even resort to drugs and alcohol to self-medicate, which can lead to further issues. To avoid the potential pitfalls of caregiv - er stress, individuals should always put their needs first and find ways to alleviate the added stress of caring for a loved one. These suggestions are just a start. Don't strive for perfection It isn't possible to maintain a patient attitude and get everything done per- fectly each and every day. People are not perfect and mistakes will be made. Do not punish yourself if you lash out or simply need a break. Eat healthy As anyone who has dealt with a hun- gry toddler can attest, failure to eat well and frequently can result in an emotion- al meltdown. Be sure to always make time for nutritious meals. This will help keep up energy stores and enable you to better cope with caregiver stress. Pay attention to mood changes Anxiety or depression can sneak up on you when you least expect it. Ask for help if you feel your tasks are becoming too overwhelming. Seek the help of a doctor if changes in mood, sleeping patterns, appetite and the like become noticeable. Take frequent breaks Getting a break from caregiving and setting aside time for yourself can in- crease patience levels and the ability to bounce back from stress. Whenever possible, have a friend or another rela- tive step in for you so you get a break. Explore resources available for profes- sional aides to come and take some of the responsibilities off of your shoulders. Being a caregiver can be a rewarding, but challenging role to play. Caregivers should keep their health a priority. Metro Creative It's not uncommon for caregivers of any age to feel stressed and burned out by the demands of caregiving. The Mayo Clinic says people who experience caregiver stress can be vulnerable to changes in their own health.