Being a caregiver can be an rewarding, but an overwhelming job.
If you struggle to maintain balance in your life and feel you are beginning to experience caregiver burnout, it may be time to reach out for help.
Kensington Senior Living can support you during your caregiver journey by providing the information you need to help yourself and your loved one.
To celebrate National Caregivers day and support families, Kensington presented the Scotty caregiver award at CareCon.
In case you missed it, watch below or explore the entire event playlist here!
What is Hilarity for Charity and CareCon?
CareCon is a free virtual event hosted by Hilarity for Charity, designed to educate, inspire, and empower Alzheimer’s and dementia family caregivers.
Hilarity for Charity is a non-profit organization founded by actor and comedian Seth Rogen and his wife, Lauren Miller Rogen, in 2012.
The organization raises awareness and funds for Alzheimer’s disease research. It focuses on bringing humor to the fight against Alzheimer’s and provides support for families affected by the disease through a series of comedic events and campaigns.
The organization aims to inspire change and help eliminate the stigma surrounding Alzheimer’s disease.
Kensington Senior Living communities are proud to present CareCon with HFC on National caregivers day to help you find resources, connections, and tips to help you along your caregiver journey.
The Scotty Caregiver award
The Scotty award is named in honor of Scott Miller, who served as a compassionate caregiver to HFC founder Lauren Miller Rogen’s late mother Adele.
The winner of this year’s Scotty award was presented to them during CareCon, where they will receive recognition for:
- The loving support they provided during a challenging time
- The patience and perseverance they demonstrated
- The creativity they exhibited
Being an unpaid caregiver is challenging and can take a toll on caregivers and families emotionally, physically, and financially.
As part of the winner’s award, they will receive 50 hours of in-home respite care or the cash equivalent.
While there can only be one winner, Kensington Senior Living Communities and Hilarity for Charity recognize all caregivers for their hard work and dedication to providing care to those in need.
Check out all the nominees from each community on our Instagram page!
Tips for caregivers
As a caregiver, you must learn how to get through your caregiver journey without allowing it to consume you and affect your emotional, mental, and physical health.
Whether you’re new to caregiving or just need a reminder, the following are our top tips for caregiving.
Take care of yourself
You can’t fill someone else’s cup if yours is empty. It’s important to prioritize self-care to avoid burnout and maintain physical and emotional well-being. Make time for hobbies you’re passionate about, as well as time for proper rest and nutritious meals.
Communicate effectively
Maintain open and honest communication with the person you’re caring for, other family members, and healthcare professionals. Honesty is certainly the best policy in order to avoid irritation or confrontation between any party, as well as misinformation to doctors.
Get organized
Keep track of appointments, medications, and important information to ensure that the care provided is consistent and effective. This can be done in a spreadsheet, paper planner, wall or desk calendar, or your phone—whatever works best for you.
Find a support system
Reach out to family, friends, and local support groups to connect with others who understand your experiences. Kensington Senior Living offers its online resource Kensington Konnect, as a hub for caregiver events and support groups, as well as recipes and tutorials.
Stay informed
Stay up-to-date on the latest information and resources related to the person’s condition and care. This could mean accompanying them to doctors’ appointments and maintaining transparency in the family.
Maintain a positive attitude
Caring for an older adult can be challenging, but maintaining a positive attitude and sense of humor can help you both manage the stress and find joy in each day.
Preventing caregiver burnout
A combination of self-care, support, and organization is required to prevent you from getting burnt out on caring for your loved one. It’s essential to do the following to avoid burnout and be able to provide the best care:
- Prioritize self-care: Make time for activities and people you enjoy, exercise regularly, and eat a healthy diet.
- Seek support: If you haven’t already, ask others for help, join a caregiver support group, and reach out to a therapist for emotional support
- Create a schedule: Make a schedule for your responsibilities and stick to it, and don’t be afraid to delegate tasks to others.
- Manage stress: Practice stress-reducing activities, such as yoga, meditation, prayer, and deep breathing.
- Be realistic: Set realistic expectations for yourself and prioritize tasks based on importance and urgency.
Remember that it’s okay to prioritize your own well-being, and seeking help is a sign of strength, not weakness. Items necessary to your life, such as your car, require maintenance in order to function properly—and so do you!
A community that feels like family
Kensington Senior Living has made it Our Promise to love and care for your family as we do our own.
We maintain this promise by offering our residents:
- A full spectrum of clinical support
- On-site nurses
- Three levels of memory care for early, mid, and late stage memory loss
- Parkinson’s care
- Rehabilitation services
- Physical therapy
- Occupational therapy
- Speech therapy
- Life enrichment activities and wellness
- Healthy and exquisite dining
- Speciality diets
- Safe and cozy homes
- Individualized care plans
As your partners in care, we can guarantee your loved one a safe place to socialize, build friendships, have fun, and age in place.
Contact us or check out our blog to learn more about our communities, high-acuity care and services, and upcoming events.