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The road to caregiving is just like the road trips your family used to take to Yellowstone Park—it requires a reliable means of transportation, good planning, a roadmap, sufficient funds, snacks, extra water, and frequent, timely stops for fuel.
Caregivers often race forward and forget to stop for fuel. In order to maintain a healthy perspective, patience, and the ability to care for others, it is vital that caregivers take time to renew their energy. The lack of sufficient energy to tackle the daily tasks of caregiving can lead to depression, suicide, and poor, even abusive care toward our care receivers.
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Refueling is not an option; it is a necessary part of managing the road to caregiving. Listed below are a few ideas on how to renew your energy levels. | | |
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| Caregiver Events |
Caregiver Groups across Utah occasionally offer caregiver events and conferences. Check the Calendar of Events (on the left-hand side of this website) or in your monthly newsletter for special events and conferences held by Salt Lake County Caregiver Support.
The Senior Events calendar on the Salt Lake County website lists many events held by Aging Services, and other events, free classes and conferences sponsored by members of the Utah’s Caregiver Coalition can be found at http://www.caregiverevents.utah.gov.
Most events have little or no charge. |
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| Parks, Recreation, and Exercise |
Exercise is an essential part of maintaining both mental and physical health. We often forget that this does not require a gym membership and a regimented schedule.
We have access to many parks and county recreation sites. Visiting parks or taking a walk by one of Salt Lake County’s many ponds or river is a great way to relax and set aside the stress of the day. For a complete list of national, state, county and city run parks see http://www.slco.org/life/actParks.html.
The Salt Lake County website http://www.slco.org, as well as http://www.utah.gov, are valuable links for finding current local events, zoos, gardens, historic sites and activities.
County and City libraries are also a valuable avenue for checking out exercise tapes, relaxation CDs, PBS programs, or even Arthritis videos for moderated exercise. |
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| Relaxation Techniques |
Most of us, as caregivers, get so wrapped up in the daily tasks of caregiving that we forget to be the unique individual we have always been. We always loved singing, but somehow it’s been months since we sat down at the piano to sing. Well, maybe it’s time to get the Karaoke machine back out of the closet.
What does relaxation mean to you? The most important definition of relaxation is how you define it—a good game of cards, fifteen minutes to work on a puzzle or crossword, a quiet walk by the Jordan River, barbecuing hot dogs in the back yard, a silly movie and chat with a friends, a bike ride through the neighborhood, playing your favorite song on a guitar, or just taking a well deserved nap.
There are days when a trip to the spa for that one-hour massage is just not possible or affordable. There are a number of stress relief exercises that we can do without going to the spa or gym, such as deep breathing, guided imagery, muscle relaxation, meditation, and yoga. Various methods can be found in books, on tape or CD, for check out from the local library. These can be played on the way to work or the grocery store, or even in the back yard or your room after your care receiver has gone to sleep.
Some of the most valuable relaxation comes during those fifteen minute power naps or through a quick visit or talk with a friend. |
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| The Three Day Pitstop |
It is important that caregivers arrange a quarterly renewal for themselves. This can be a quick three-day break or weekend get away. Various nursing homes and care centers will accept short term stays so that caregivers can have a respite break.
Check with Medicare, V.A. Benefits and your insurance group for paid stays, and / or call a nursing home close to you for an overview of cost and short term visit stays. |
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| Within Walking Distance |
When we think of respite or relaxation, we often think of a vacation out of town or a trip to Disney Land or Yellowstone. Some of the most valuable respite takes place within a few miles of where we live.
A brief walk through the neighborhood with your care receiver, when possible, can add renewal to the day. It also allows your neighbors a chance to stop you for a quick conversation. This helps create a circle of concern and support for the caregiving experience. It also allows your neighbors an opportunity to offer assistance.
It is valuable to research our local events and places of interest. Here in Salt Lake County we have free concerts at the Utah Cultural Celebration Center. Other parks and cultural centers offer free movies in the park, community fairs and localized events. Download a list of ideas. ( 56 kb)
Check city and local websites for more information:
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