Five New Year’s Resolutions for Family Caregivers in Santa Cruz and Monterey Counties

At Visiting Angels, our quality home care services allow families in Santa Cruz, Marina, Scotts Valley and surrounding areas along the Central Coast of California spend more time with elderly loved ones. Here are some New Year’s resolutions you can make to make the new year great for you and your loved one.

Most of us view the beginning of the new year as a chance to start fresh - to make new plans and decisions that will, hopefully, make our lives somewhat better. If you’re acting as a caregiver for an elderly loved one, chances are you’ll be making some New Year’s resolutions regarding the care you provide.

You surely know how time-consuming and stressful it can get and how easy it is to neglect yourself with so many obligations. This year, resolve to help yourself prevent physical and emotional burnout, find more time to attend to your personal needs and provide better care to your parent at the same time.

Without further ado, here are five New Year’s resolutions family caregivers might want to try out:

Get Mom or Dad the Quality Home Care Services They Deserve

While you may be able to squeeze in caregiving into your present schedule and provide adequate care for Mom or Dad now, will you be able to keep up if your parent’s care needs suddenly increase? Opting for quality home care services may be the best solution for this problem. A reliable home care agency like Visiting Angels Central Coast can provide you with a sustainable support system while ensuring Mom or Dad receives ample care and continue to age comfortably at home.

Encourage Regular 30-minute Walks

Once you’ve scheduled quality home care services from Visiting Angels Central Coast for Mom or Dad, you’ll surely have more time for yourself. To get enough physical exercise, consider taking 30-minute walks every day or every other day. These short walks can boost your mood and bring a plethora of health benefits. You’ll feel less stressed and you’ll have more energy for your daily responsibilities, including caring for your loved one when the new caregiver isn’t there.

Encourage your parent to start walking too. Short walks around the block or in the nearby park can help Mom or Dad significantly improve their balance and mobility, thus reducing the risk of falls.

Check Family Cars

Regularly maintaining your vehicle is one of the best ways to prevent unnecessary costs and stay mobile, so we suggest you take advantage of the holiday offers at car repair shops. Regular oil and brake checks and tire rotations increase the safety and longevity of your car.

If your senior loved one is unable to drive, our caregivers can provide incidental transportation and accompany them to appointments and social events. This way, Mom or Dad will never miss important arrangements.

Eat Healthier Together

Losing weight is one of the most common New Year’s resolutions. While changing your eating habits alone may prove a challenge, if you convince the whole family, including your parent, this can be way easier.

Visiting Angels Central Coast can contribute to this resolution too. Our caregivers can support physician-recommended diet plans, prepare healthy meals for your loved one and keep them company during mealtimes.

Enjoy More Quality Time with Loved Ones

With quality home care services from Visiting Angels Central Coast to supplement your loved one’s care, you’ll have more time to spend with the family. When visiting Mom or Dad, you’ll no longer have to work the entire time so you can spend quality time together, relax and create new, loving memories.

Give our office in Scotts Valley, CA a call today to learn more about our services and how we can help your loved one.