The ranks of family caregivers continue to grow. Caregivers are often “sandwich generation” caregivers. They are taking care of family members on both ends of the spectrum. They are providing care to school-age children and to their aging parents. There are nearly 70 million family caregivers in America. Family caregiving is an essential part of the fabric of care in America. Rosalyn Carter said, “There are only four kinds of people in the world — those who have been caregivers, those who are currently caregivers, those who will be caregivers, and those who will need caregivers.”
Caregiving is time-consuming. Caregiving is stressful. Caregiving requires one to lean into love and patience.
Caregiver burnout is very common. Family (and professional) caregivers need to practice self-care and take meaningful breaks from caregiving. Caregivers should look for opportunities to build relaxing activities into their week. Autumn is here! Autumn brings a change in weather. Autumn brings the opportunity of a change in activities. Here are some activities for seniors and family (and professional) caregivers to enjoy this fall.
- Visit a local fall festival. They offer baked goods, interesting foods, arts and crafts and live music.
- Grab a folding chair and a sweater and attend a free outdoor concert in your community.
- Attend an outdoor youth or high school sporting event for your child, grandchild or a friend or neighbor’s child.
- Try a new recipe for a non-alcoholic autumn drink!There are many unique recipes for apple cider and hot chocolate. I love them both! I especially like my hot chocolate topped high with whip cream!
- It is recommended that we switch up our exercise routine from time to time. Change up your fall fitness activity. We have cooler weather this time of year. Outdoor activities, like walking or bike riding will be more pleasant and tolerable.Get outside and do more!
- Visit a local farmers market and purchase autumn fruit and vegetables or homemade autumn jams or jellies. Below check out the list of St. Louis regional farmers markets that we shared last month!
- Even if you are not a baker, be brave and bake an autumn pie, like an apple or pumpkin pie. Apples are plentiful this time of year! I personally like making my crust with my hands only from scratch, but my sister is very successful in making hers in a cuisinart! And it is ok to purchase pre-made pie crust from the grocery store!
- Try a new recipe for a seasonal autumn soup like Spiced Squash or Roasted Tomato. There are many very easy and tasty recipes. I have attached a couple of recipes below.
- Make a large pot of chili and invite a college friend over to watch a college football game or another fall sporting event on television. I use ground turkey to make my chili and I make it in slower cooker. I prepare it in the morning and let it cook most of the day! Delicious!
- Purchase and plant vibrant color fall blooms, like mums into your outdoor pots, where the spring and summer blooms are dying out.
- And finally, you may not agree that this final activity is relaxing, but consider getting your seasonal flu shot. Neither seniors nor caregivers can afford to catch the flu!
Caregivers are essential to the lives of those who they provide care. Let the fresh air of autumn, revibe your body, mind and spirit.
Twelve (12) St. Louis Regional Farmers’ Markets Where Seniors Can Purchase Fresh Fruits and Vegetables – Home Care in St. Louis by StaffLink | Senior Care | Home Health Care (stafflinkusa.com)
How to Make Apple Pie from Scratch | Taste of Home
65+ Fall Soup Recipes – Easy Ideas for Autumn Soups (delish.com)
Homemade Apple Cider Recipe – How to Make Easy Hot Apple Cider (delish.com)
Hot Chocolate Recipes | Allrecipes
Picture Credit: freepik.com
StaffLink is a provider of personnel staffing solutions for healthcare businesses and home care in St. Louis – both non-medical & medical home care for individuals who need caregiving solutions. StaffLink is a leader in both, the nursing & medical personnel staffing and home care services area. StaffLink has demonstrated “out of the box” solutions in addressing the needs of their medical staffing and home care client’s needs.
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