As a family caregiver, there is no shame in acknowledging that you need a break from time to time or that you need someone to help share (or take over) your caregiving responsibilities.To maintain a healthy, loving relationship with your parent or family member, you need to find a balance.As a long-term care provider with communities in Colorado and Missouri, Vivage understands the courage it takes to recognize and accept the fact that you need help. To help you find the caregiver support you need, our team is sharing signs it may be time to seek additional care options.Your Family Members Care Needs are IncreasingWith certain health conditions, like Alzheimers disease or other types of dementia, it is possible that when you took on your caregiving responsibilities, your loved one needed very little assistance. As the condition progresses, however, your role in their daily routine could become more prominent.Beyond dementia, our health needs can change as we get older. If your parent or family members needs become more than you can safely manage, it could be time to seek caregiver support.You Neglecting Your Health & WellnessThe first step toward being the best caregiver for your family is to make your health a priority. If you are not healthy, how can you expect to take care of someone else?Even when you board an airplane, the flight attendants instruct you to put your oxygen mask on before helping those around you. Without taking care of yourself first, you cannot take care of someone else to the best of your ability.Putting your loved ones health first and neglecting your own could signify that you need to seek caregiver support.You are Experiencing Caregiver BurnoutAccording tohealthline, a caregiver with burnout has become overwhelmed and is physically, emotionally, and mentally exhausted from the stress and burden of caring for their loved one.Caregiving is a full-time job, so it is common to feel overwhelmed at times. However, it is important to know how to manage this stress before you experience caregiver burnout. A family caregiver can experience burnout by attempting to do more than they are physically able to (and neglecting their own health and needs).Symptoms of caregiver burnout can include:FatigueFrequent headachesTrouble sleepingWeakened immune systemChanges in diet and weight (either over or under eating)Feelings of anxiety and depressionInability to concentrateFeeling irritable or impatientLacking motivationPhysical and emotional isolationIf you are experiencing any of the symptoms above, caregiver support and care options can help handle some of your caregiving responsibilities.While there are many ways to avoid caregiver burnout, the most effective one is to ask others for help. Whether you ask friends and family, hire an in-home health aid, or transition your loved one into a long-term care community, the important thing to keep in mind is that you are getting the relief you need while your loved one is getting the care that they deserve.When asking for caregiver support, remember to:Be specific with your requests Ask a friend or relative if they can do something specific (pick up a prescription, do the grocery shopping, etc.). Break down the task so they are more confident that they can handle it.Be flexible with your plans and what you ask of others Not everyone will feel comfortable doing each and every task. If someone says that they do not feel comfortable performing a specific task, work with them to figure out the best solution.Be honest Your siblings or other family members may not know how your responsibilities are affecting you and your health. When you ask for caregiver support, make sure you are honest and explain that you need their help so you can take of yourself.

Whether you have a dog or a cat, you love your pet pig or enjoy riding horses, animals help us lead healthier, more active lifestyles.Vivage offers memory care and other long-term care services throughout Colorado and Missouri, and we have seen the positive impact pets and animals can have on our lives. This is why we are sharing the benefits of animal interactions and how our communities use these and other experiences to improve residents and individuals quality of life.Due to the coronavirus pandemic, at this time, we have not been able to welcome our pet visitation programs back. Still, we have gotten creative with how we are encouraging animal interactions.Positive Impact of Animal InteractionsEncourages Physical ActivityDepending on the type of animal, these interactions involve some form of physical activity. Between grooming, feeding, walking, or playing, individuals naturally stay active to engage and connect with the animal.Additionally, the activities required to take care of an animal help individuals improve or maintain their motor skills. From opening a can of cat food to clipping a leash to a dogs collar, an individual must regularly use their motor skills to care for the animal.Helps People Form Stronger RelationshipsAn article published in Frontiers in Psychology states, animal-assisted activity has been leveraged as an intervention to improve social functioning in older psychiatric and dementia patients. Another study involving older adults with dementia showed that those in the presence of a dog had improved social relationships compared to those who did not have a pet.What this really means is that animals and pets can provide more opportunities for socialization. The simple act of walking a dog gets an individual outside where there are more chances of socializing with another person versus staying indoors for most, if not all, of the day. Speaking with neighbors or other strangers on the street becomes easier, especially since people are likely to approach an individual if they have a pet.Additionally, interacting with animals increases a persons capacity for emotional bonding. When an individual has a pet, they form a deep emotional bond with the animal. This may make it easier for them to form stronger, more meaningful relationships with the people around them, putting others needs before their own.Offers CompanionshipThe article published in Frontiers in Psychology also states, human-animal interaction may provide social support for older adults, thus reducing the risk of loneliness.We all need socialization, but there may be circumstances out of our control that limit the amount we get. For instance, reduced mobility or a lack of reliable transportation could inhibit an individual from getting out and enjoying activities with friends.Animals could be a solution to these setbacks. Having a pet or regularly interacting with an animal not only presents more socialization opportunities, but the animals themselves act as companions offering unconditional love and support.Stimulates MemoryAccording to UCLA Health, animal interactions can increase mental stimulation helping assist in recall of memories and help sequence temporal events in patients with head injuries of chronic diseases such as Alzheimers disease.For many of us, we have had pets throughout our lives. Spending quality time with an animal or even getting another pet can help bring back the memories of the pets we had in previous years.In addition to the personalized memory care services we offer throughout our Vivage communities, we know that pets and animal interactions can be highly beneficial to stimulating a persons memories. These and other familiar activities provide structure and routine, boost brain function, and promote wellness and holistic opportunities.At Vivage, we strive to create an environment that provides all of these benefits and more. Our communities in Colorado and Missouri encourage socialization, physical activity, and mental stimulation through our long-term care services, activities, and amenities.Even though our pet visitations may look different for the time being, we are working to find ways that our residents can reap the benefits of animal interactions while maintaining a safe environment for all. For example, in one of our communities, a volunteer and her therapy dog walk past our residents windows. Even though this is not the same as getting up close and personal with the dog, it still brings smiles to the residents faces. Additionally, virtual pet visits have been encouraged with families.We understand that interacting with animals from a distance does not have the same impact as in-person visits, but safety for our residents, team members, and their families is our number one priority. We also want to remind our community members that Vivageis pet-friendly. If you or your loved one wishes to move in with your pet, please contact us for more information.Our programs are designed to care for the whole person mind, body, and spirit. In addition to our traditional care, we offer holistic services to complement the healing journey. To learn more about these services and what we have to offer, we invite you to contact a member of the Vivage team or visit our website.