Ideas To Make The New Year Great For Families of Seniors In Orange County and Long Beach

If you are a family member of a senior living in Orange County or Long Beach, you will find that there are plenty of resources available in these areas to seniors and their families. Whether you need to help your elder relative get a flu shot, or you simply would appreciate some respite care in order to take some time off, you can find places in your area to accommodate such needs. You may want to make a few personal resolutions in the New Year, so you may be sure that you are doing the best job that you can for the elderly person in your life.

Taking care of yourself is as essential as taking great care of your aging family member. By exploring the options available to you – as well as exploring the possibilities in Long Beach and Orange County – you may discover a few new ideas that hadn’t occurred to you. Everybody can benefit from a little assistance and a different perspective, especially those people who have elderly relatives in their lives.

Arrange for a Flu Shot for Your Family Member

If your senior relative has not yet had a flu shot this season, you should contact local resources for information on getting that done. Whether you are looking for a flu vaccine in Long Beach or in Orange County, you may even find places that will offer this service to elderly people at no charge. Adults who are over the age of 65 may be particularly vulnerable to flu symptoms, so this is not a service that should be avoided. You could actually help save the life of your elderly relative by making arrangements to get him or her to a clinic that provides flu vaccines. While you’re there, you should get a flu shot for yourself, as well. This is an advisable strategy for deterring the illness from affecting you and the senior in your life.

Explore Stress Management

You likely want to give your elder the best care possible, but you can’t do that if you are under so much stress that you find it difficult to function. You might start by examining the factors that add stress to your life. Some aspects of your life may need to be modified. To combat the resultant stress of issues that cannot be changed, you may want to consider mediation or yoga. By exploring the concept of better stress management, you could discover new coping methods that are far more effective than the ones you are using now.

Get Enough Sleep and Water

Two of the basic components of a healthy lifestyle are often ignored by people who are busy: sleep and water. You need plenty of both of these things if you hope to keep yourself in good enough condition to be helpful to your aging relative. Try to get at least seven or eight hours of sleep per night; your mind and body need sufficient rest to remain healthy. Drink at least six to eight glasses of water per day, so your body is able to flush away the toxins that can make it sick.

Get Adequate Exercise

Getting regular exercise is probably one of the best resolutions you can make for the New Year. Exercise is vital to overall wellness. When you participate in an exercise routine on a daily (or almost daily) basis, you will have more energy to manage the needs of your aging family member. If you prefer a structured routine, you will find plenty of exercise classes in Orange County and Long Beach worth considering.

Give Yourself a Break

You can’t be a consistently great family caregiver if you don’t take of yourself first. If you look after your senior relative on a regular basis, you should give yourself breaks by hiring a home care professional. Consult a local home care company in Orange County or Long Beach for information on how to get respite care for your elder.

A New Year is the perfect time to make some changes you’ve been meaning to implement. Resolve to make at least one healthy change this year for yourself and the senior in your life. By giving yourself some attention along with your elderly relative in Orange County or Long Beach, you will help to make both of your lives better.

Photo by Andy Graulund

Photo by Andy Graulund