Caregiver Tips in La Jolla CA

As a family caregiver, you put your body through a lot every day. You are constantly moving, standing, driving, walking, helping your parent transfer, picking things up, and sitting and waiting. All of this can add up to a body that feels tight, sore, and not at its best. Simple stretching can make a tremendous difference not only in how you feel, but in the way that you are able to handle the challenges and demands that you face on a daily basis. Through regular stretching you can increase your flexibility, range of motion, and balance, and improve your control over your body. All of these help you to do the tasks that you need to do with greater confidence and control, avoid accidents and injuries, and stay feeling your best.

While you might think of stretching exercises as just being static positions or gradual movements, this is not the only way that you can help to stretch out your muscles and joints and get them healthier. Finding simple ways to add extra stretches, stretching exercises, and complementary movements into the tasks that you are already doing can reduce stress, improve your body, and help you stay healthier while you juggle your sandwich generation caregiver life.

Try some of these ideas for simple stretches and exercises that you can perform throughout the day:

• Back of the neck. Many people hold a considerable amount of tension in their shoulders and the back of their neck. This can be quite painful and disrupt range of motion. When you are sitting at a stoplight, in a waiting room, standing in line, or at any other point when you have a few moments, stretch these muscles to help release the tension. Tuck your chin down toward your chest without lifting your shoulders. Pretend that there is a string attached to the top of your spine at the base of your skull and that it is pulling your spine forward. While stretching in that direction, push your shoulders down. When you reach the furthest point that you can with your head, hold it in place and try pressing your shoulders forward so that your back curves. You should feel the muscles along your spine opening up.
• Sit and stand. Avoid long periods when you are just sitting. This tightens your muscles and joints and is a lost opportunity to burn calories. Anytime that you are sitting for a task that does not require you to be in that position as with eating or writing, make it a point to sit and stand repeatedly. Do not use your hands and never settle all the way back in your seated position. Instead lower until you are just seated and then stand up again. This is great to do while you are making phone calls or watching television.
• Keep arms and hands loose. Of all of your body parts it is likely your hands and arms that see the most use. Typing, writing, dialing, lifting, turning, washing, wiping, tying, and any number of other activities can tire out the muscles and joints. Help to stretch, rejuvenate, and strengthen your arms and hands by stretching your fingers. Straighten your arm in front of you with your palm facing away and your fingers point it. Stretch your hand back toward your body as far as you can go and then take it with the opposite hand and guide it back toward your body. Be sure that you are bringing the whole hand and not just the fingers. You should feel a stretch through the entire forearm. Repeat this process with the opposite arm. Do this anytime your hands or arms are feeling tired and sore.

La Jolla Nurses Homecare can help your aging parents remain in their own homes, call 858-454-9339. We are a home care agency providing quality and affordable senior care in La Costa, CA, and the surrounding communities."}” data-sheets-userformat=”{"2":767,"3":{"1":0},"4":{"1":2,"2":10667209},"5":{"1":[{"1":2,"2":0,"5":{"1":2,"2":0}},{"1":0,"2":0,"3":3},{"1":1,"2":0,"4":1}]},"6":{"1":[{"1":2,"2":0,"5":{"1":2,"2":0}},{"1":0,"2":0,"3":3},{"1":1,"2":0,"4":1}]},"7":{"1":[{"1":2,"2":0,"5":{"1":2,"2":0}},{"1":0,"2":0,"3":3},{"1":1,"2":0,"4":1}]},"8":{"1":[{"1":2,"2":0,"5":{"1":2,"2":0}},{"1":0,"2":0,"3":3},{"1":1,"2":0,"4":1}]},"9":2,"10":2,"12":0}”>For more information about how the caregivers at La Jolla Nurses Homecare can help your aging parents remain in their own homes, call 858-454-9339. We are a home care agency providing quality and affordable senior care in La Costa, CA, and the surrounding communities.

• Author
• Recent Posts

Brittnei Salerno

Owner at La Jolla Nurses Homecare

“My mother, Lorraine Salerno, founded La Jolla Nurses Homecare in 1977.

Today we are the oldest and most experienced private duty agency in San Diego County.She saw a need for quality private duty home health care and she worked diligently to build an agency that filled that need.I am proud to say, her vision is carried on today with our dedicated staff.

I believe our tenure in the community speaks well for us.We have had the opportunity to be of service to countless interesting individuals, including local and worldwide celebrities.It is the people we care for that makes this a fascinating industry.Whether high profile or a more ordinary citizen, we are proud that thousands have entrusted us with their care or the care of their loved ones.Our Mission is to provide high quality, very secure and the most compassionate home health care.We believe that patients heal faster and are happiest when they can stay in their homes.”

Latest posts by Brittnei Salerno (see all)

• Four Providers Who Ease the Stress of Caring for a Chronically Ill Loved One - October 29, 2024
• Therapies Seniors May Need After a Stroke - October 22, 2024
• Keeping Psoriatic Arthritis from Triggering Other Issues - October 15, 2024