New Year’s resolutions: we love to make them, and can’t help but break them. Perhaps you’ve been motivated to eat better, lose those stubborn few pounds, quit a bad habit, or exercise more regularly; but life has a way of disrupting our intentions, especially for Californians providing home care services for a senior loved one.

To improve quality of life for both yourself and the senior for whom you offer care, and to discover a New Year’s resolution you’ll actually want to adhere to in the months and years to come, try one of these recommendations, courtesy of Visiting Angels of Fremont and Sunnyvale:

1. Be kind – to yourself. Recognize the tremendous selflessness required in caring for another, and make a point to treat yourself to regular, small rewards as a thank-you: a favorite treat from the ice cream shop, lunch ordered in, the latest book from your favorite writer, a vase of flowers, etc.
2. Take time for self-care. Pre-flight emergency instructions stress the need to ensure your oxygen mask is on before assisting somebody else, and this is just as true on land as in the air. Caring for yourself allows you to supply the highest quality care for your loved one. So maintain regular medical checkups, get lots of rest, and ensure you’re eating a balanced diet.
3. Seek out support. Finding a support group for family caregivers, especially one for a condition that your particular loved one is battling, such as Alzheimer’s disease, lets you understand you’re not alone. The Internet provides a wealth of resources for online support groups if attending meetings that are in-person is a challenge.
4. Release feelings. Taking care of another person is wrought with feelings, from fear to anger to frustration to helplessness. It’s important to find a safe release that is productive for these emotions, through journaling or talking with a friend or counselor, for instance.
5. Request help. No man – or caregiver – is an island, and you probably have plenty of willing friends and neighbors, as well as other family members who would want to provide support, if only they were asked. It’s a sign of strength, not weakness, to accept help.

Visiting Angels of Fremont and Sunnyvale, CA can be counted on to partner with you with trusted in-home care. Our respite care services provide family caregivers with aging care specialists that are fully trained and experienced in many different aspects of care:

• Personal care, such as washing and dressing
• House care, such as light housework and laundry
• Companion care, including engaging in conversation, playing cards and games, and participating in hobbies and interests
• And more, according to each senior’s needs

Caring for senior loved ones is a rewarding, yet challenging job, and one that you don’t have to undertake alone. Contact Visiting Angels in our Fremont or Sunnyvale home care offices at 800-969-0499 to learn more about our California home care services or to schedule a free in-home assessment to explore how we can share the care journey with you – and to assist you in keeping your resolution to provide the best care for your senior loved one.