Family caregivers should take time for themselves, experts say

Family caregivers should take time for themselves, experts say

June 21, 2011

Taking care of seniors can be overwhelming and exhausting, and caregivers should remember to look after themselves as well. Many people who care for their loved ones also hold down jobs and raise their kids. These individuals may want to consider purchasing medical alert systems to ensure their loved ones’ safety while they are attending to other aspects of their lives.

“In spite of the fact that 44.4 million Americans are caregivers to adult friends or family members, that feeling of being alone in the crowd is increasingly prevalent,” Dr. Amy D’Aprix, a social work specialist, told HomeInstead.com. The news source reports that nearly 90 percent of elderly people want to live independently in their own homes. Medical alert systems can provide added assurance that seniors will be able to get help should they fall or hurt themselves while they are alone.

In Sno Valley, Washington, seniors, family members and employees of the Mount Si Senior Center participate in “laughing yoga,” a program that is designed to help caregivers cut loose and enjoy some stress-free fun with their friends and family, the Sno Valley Sun reports. The Senior Services Family Caregiver Support Program offers laughing yoga and fall prevention classes that are intended to help people take better care of themselves and their loved ones.

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