We Prescribe Laughter For Managing Caregiver Stress

 

  With the stress that a caregiver is under, occasions to laugh can be few and far between. Yet, laughter is necessary to ease caregiver stress. Chuckling, giggling, or guffawing fosters physical and emotional wellbeing. Home Care Lakewood has some useful tips for you;

Recognizing Caregiver Stress

Anxiety, chronic fatigue, and negative changes in sleep patterns result from caregiver stress. The demands of providing care sometimes lead to self-medicating with drugs and alcohol.

• Aches and pains that have no physical cause
• Becoming aggravated easily
• Unintentional weight loss or gain
• Loss of interest in favored activities

The stresses of caregiving can manifest as unrelenting sadness.

Laughing is Good Exercise

The study of laughter is called Gelotology. Both exercise and laughter help to manage caregiver stress. Laughing and working out offer the same physical benefits. Scientific research suggests that 100 good laughs have the equivalent effect as 15 minutes on a stationary bike.

The Physical Benefits of Laughter

Like aerobic exercise, laughing causes the blood vessels to expand, improving circulation. Yucking-it-up slows the heart rate, which in turn lowers blood pressure. The body relies on T-Cells to guard against viral infections and tumors. Laughter promotes the growth of T-Cells and other anti-bodies. Reacting to humor releases endorphins that are the body's natural pain killer.

The Emotional Benefits of Laughter

In addition to decreasing physical pain, the endorphins released by a hearty guffaw elevate the mood. Laughter dispels anger. When we find humor in a situation, reduced cortisol production brings down stress levels. Laughter improves your emotional outlook and gives your energy levels a boost.

Surround Yourself with Humor

For regular exposure to them, display posters, cartoons, and photos that you find amusing. Find DVDs of movies, TV programs, or stand-up routines that always break you up. Arrange to spend time with a friend or friends who always leave you laughing. Try to find the humor in a situation. Read a joke book or visit a website devoted to the comedic.

Self-Induced Laughter

Whether it is genuine or feigned, the benefits of a good laugh are the same. Imagine yourself conducting a band or orchestra. Mimic the sound of laughter, i.e., "ha, ha, ha" while your arms guide the pretend musicians.

Apply pressure to your forehead, pretending it causes you to laugh, and then mimic the sounds of laughter. Raise your arms to shoulder level, look up and give out a belly laugh. Using a mirror, mimic the body language and facial expressions that accompany the question, "What's so funny?" Put on a fake smile and start giggling, building-up to a laugh that becomes increasingly rapid.

Practice Laughter Yoga

The above exercises and others are a part of Laughter Yoga. Laughter clubs are an offshoot of Laughter Yoga. If you feel the strain of being a caregiver joining a laughter club in your area could prove beneficial. Lakewood Home Care emphasizes the importance of Laughter Yoga for a better stress management.

Winter Care For The Elderly

Winter weather has always been a potentially dangerous time of the year for senior citizens. Their bodies have become weaker than in earlier years, and their immune systems do not fight off infections and other damaging disorders. It is vital for older adults to take extra precautions during the winter season. Older adults are very vulnerable to colds, flu, and hypothermia. Generally, cold weather and senior citizens are a dangerous combination. It is imperative for the older adult to have extreme care in order to survive the all of the elements that winter can bring. Home Care Lakewood is here to help you;

Things to Know

Winter care for the elderly should definitely include keeping warm to prevent hypothermia. Older adults have less efficient circulation, less body fat, and a slower metabolism. This makes them very susceptible to cold related disorders. The temperature inside the home should never be set below 65 degrees. If your senior loved one is aging in place, make sure to check that they always have enough money to pay their heating bill. Winter care for the elderly should also consist of staying hydrated. It is normal for older adults to eat and drink less as they age, so you must ensure that they drink liquids to avoid dehydration.

How to Prepare

You should prepare for the winter elements by being sure that provisions are made to have ice and snow shoveled from the walkway and sidewalk outside. The steps should also be cleared of any bad weather precipitation to prevent any falling hazards. If affordable, have the outside walk area salted to help the older adult move around without fear of falling. There are organizations in some areas that will provide these services for the elderly. You should also have a disaster kit in place for your senior loved one in the event that the power goes off during a fierce winter storm. The kit should include water for several days, non perishable food items, can opener, flashlight, extra batteries, a non electric radio, necessary medications, and a first aid kit and warm clothing and blankets.

It is vital during the winter season to dress your senior loved one appropriately and warm. Many older adults use blankets to cover themselves during the day because they are normally colder than anyone else. Have warm cozy socks for them while sitting watching television. Electric blankets are great for bedtime, but use them with all precautions. Do not use if there is a bed wetting issue.

Final Words

Lakewood Home Care understands that many older adults require extra warmth, so electric space heaters are often used. These heaters must be used with extreme caution. Never place them too close to the older adult, and check that the area for the heater is not around any flammable items. Do not place it close to the walls or furniture. If it is needed in the bedroom, make sure that it is not touching anything, or be in contact with any clothing. Caring for your senior loved one during winter weather means being more observant of them to ensure that they are safe.