We know that caregivers, whether a family member or a professional, have loving hearts. But helping them to maintain a healthy heart can often be a more difficult challenge as they so often put the needs of the family member, patient or client first before themselves.
Nearly half of the 80 million American adults (about 38 million) who have cardiovascular disease (CVD) are 60 or older. So it is important to keep a healthy heart at any age. Sometimes family caregivers are the Baby Boomers, getting older themselves while taking care of an elderly parent or even grandparent while taking care of their own children who may be college age or even married with children of their own. It’s often a lot to handle and being a family caregiver can put an extra burden on one’s heart health.
Maintaining a health regimen can be a particular challenge for family or professional caregivers. Consider the following tips from the American Heart Association:
- Make the time to take a 10 to 15 minute walk a couple of times a day, even if it’s just around the yard.
- Choose a space in the house that is your “quiet space.”
- Schedule your timeouts. Choose a time when your loved one is typically sleeping, eating, watching a TV program or seems to be at their best during the day.
- Insist on these moments in a gentle way and reward your loved one when you’ve refreshed yourself.
By remembering these four simple tips, caregivers can maintain a healthy heart while providing exceptional care to their elderly loved one.
And, remember, if you’re a family caregiver who could use an extra pair of hands to help out with the needs of an aging Mom, Dad or Grandparent, simply call Home Instead Senior Care of Richmond at 804.527.1100 anytime day or night. You’ll be glad you did.
