Caring for a family member with dementia is truly a labor of love.  Once you get past figuring out how to assist with various aspects of care giving, there is an emotional component that never quite gets easier.  It’s a combination of stress and the sadness of watching your loved one’s memory slip away.
Because you can best care for the senior when you are well, taking care of yourself is essential.  Here are a few things that you can do to keep yourself healthy and happy:
Exercise.  Exercise keeps the body health and the mind at ease.  Working out can create a sense of well-being, something that you may need after a particularly difficult day.
Take a break.  It may seem like there is so much to do that you cannot step away, but it is necessary to relax.  Take a day, a weekend, or even a whole vacation for yourself.  Read a new book or visit a tourist location.   You will feel refreshed and better equipped when you return.
Get some help.  Caring for a senior with dementia can lead to frustration and exhaustion.  Consider hiring a professional Caregiver Service such as Freedom Home Care to take on some of the responsibility.
While caring for a loved one can be wonderfully fulfilling, it can be stressful at times too.  Taking care of yourself isn’t selfish; it’s what’s best for both you and loved one you care for. Contact Freedom Home Care today and see how we can assist you and ease some of the stress.