Happy New Year from all of us at the Griswold Home Care office of San Antonio! We wish you and your loved ones a happy, healthy, and fun-filled 2013.
It’s that time of the year when we all start reviewing our accomplishments in 2012 and thinking about how we can do better and be healthier in the coming year.
For 2013, here are our top ten New Year’s resolutions for seniors and their family caregivers:
For Seniors
1.Fall-proof your home. One-third of all senior falls come from hazards around the home. Take preventative measures now to prevent actions in the future. Read what you can do here.
2.Go through your family photos. You have information and stories about your family members that your children and grandchildren don’t know. Make sure your family heritage is preserved by going through your family photos by labeling them or putting them in an album that your family can enjoy for generations.
3.Keep moving! Stay feeling young by keeping active. You don’t have to spend hours at the gym to do it: start a daily walk with your spouse or a friend, or take up an activity such as water aerobics, or yoga.
4.Eat right. Being healthy doesn’t mean eating boring food. Take a healthy cooking class to learn some new recipes, or visit the weekly farmer’s market to stock up on fresh fruits and veggies. Your body will thank you!
5.Get your affairs in order. Collect and organize important documents concerning your insurance, will, financial information, and assets. It’s not a fun task, but getting it done will feel great.
For Caregivers
1.Take care of your health. Make sure you’re eating enough nutritious food and sleeping enough every night. Stress and poor diet will take a toll on your physical and mental health.
2.Get educated. Do you feel knowledgeable about your loved one’s medical conditions? Learning everything you can about what they’re dealing with will provide comfort and reduce stress for all involved.
3.Ask the tough questions. Conversations about wills and end-of-life care aren’t fun. But better to get them out of the way now than to be left wondering. Sitting down with your loved one to talk about these things will take a weight off your mind.
4.Ask for help if you need it. Be honest with yourself about how you’re handingly caregiving on top of your daily tasks. If you’re in control, great. But asking for help doesn’t mean admitting defeat. Ask your family to chip in, or consider hiring professional help if you need it.
5.Plan for “me” time. Caregivers often don’t take the time to take care of themselves. But maintaining your “me” time will make you most positive and balanced, and make you a better caregiver. Take daily time to do whatever makes you happy, whether that’s reading a book, meditating, or going out with friends.
For home care questions please call 210-496-9993 or you can always visit our website at www.griswoldsa.com.