Beat the Heat

20 op Five

Happy birthday America!

I love celebrating the 4th of July with my family—I savor the BBQs, music and mostly the fireworks. It’s hard to believe we’re more than half way through the year. With July 4th in the rearview, it’s time to start counting the days until cooler temperatures.

This month’s issue of The Grand Season is geared to those of you caring for a loved one. Over the last three months, many people in my life have begun providing daily care for a sick family member—including my mother. My mom’s new journey has opened my eyes to a whole new world—that it is not only physically, but mentally exhausting. It’s my hope this month’s articles will remind you that you’re not alone.

Thank you for your support of The Grand Season, and the businesses that make our publication possible each month. I hope you—and your family— enjoy the secondhalf of summer and create some amazing memories.

Don’t forget to stay hydrated!

Melissa Whitton Associate Publisher

The demands of caring for an elderly parent, an aging spouse, or disabled child can result in a great deal of stress. If caregivers aren’t careful, they can jeopardize their own health and well-being.

There are steps you can take to limit caregiver stress and, also, reclaim a sense of balance, joy, and hope in your life. By learning to recognize the signs of caregiver stress, you can prevent things from becoming worse. Here are a few red flags to watch for:

• Anxiety, depression, or irritability

• Feeling tired and run down

• Problems sleeping

• Neglecting personal responsibilities

• You struggle to relax when given the opportunity

• You are increasingly irritated or impatient with the person you are caring for or others

While caring for a loved one will never be stressfree, these tips can help you avoid the symptoms of caregiver burnout and find more balance in your life.

Practice Acceptance

When faced with the burden of caregiving, you may feel the need to make sense of the situation and ask, “Why?” You can spend a tremendous amount of energy dwelling on things you can’t change. Aim to avoid the emotional trap of feeling sorry for yourself.

Say “Yes” to Help

Do not be shy about accepting assistance from others, when experiencing caregiver stress and burnout. Make a list of small tasks that others can help you with, and let the helper choose what they feel comfortable doing.

Take Care of Your Own Health

Those who provide care for a loved one tend to experience high chronic stress and skimp on selfcare—factors that raise the risk for many illnesses. Exercising, eating well, and getting enough sleep are all important in coping with caregiver stress.