Taking care of your loved one is rewarding work—but it’s still work, and can lead to family caregiver burnout. We speak to family caregivers every day, and many of them describe feeling stretched thin or exhausted. In fact, 70% of family caregivers say that it’s stressful to coordinate senior care.
But here’s the good news: Family caregivers in Whittier aren’t alone. The Gateway Cities have a huge range of resources to help you take care of yourself, blow off steam and get support.
How Family Caregivers Can Manage Stress in Whittier
Sources of stress are plentiful for family caregivers—but so are ways to manage it in Whittier. Here are some of our favorite local resources to help reduce family caregiver burnout for you and your loved one.
- Get Outdoors
Spending time in nature has been shown to improve mental health, and with the famously mild weather of Greater Los Angeles, it’s an option all year round in Whittier. Parnell Park is the perfect spot to sit down for a picnic or play catch, and it even has a small zoo with miniature horses, alpacas and tortoises on display.
Whittier also borders the Puente Hills Preserve, a protected area of rolling hills that crest in panoramic views of the City of Angels. Its six well-maintained trails are perfect for hiking and cycling, and some of them are gentle enough for wheelchair users. Pack your water and trail mix, and get ready for a day of adventure with your loved one.
- .Spend Time Exercising
Exercise is as good for your mind as it is for your body. A good workout can reduce your stress and improve your sleep—especially if you make a habit of it. Luckily, Whittier has a huge range of options for all fitness levels.
The beautiful and historic Whittier Greenway Trail, a 4.5-mile paved pathway across town, is heaven for cyclists and runners. With trees on either side forming a tunnel of foliage above, this paved route stays shady and cool even on the hottest days. It even has four stations with fitness equipment so you can throw in a little strength training along the way.
More intense workouts can be intimidating when you’re alone, so get a whole team of buddies at CrossFit Whittier. Led by expert coaches with years of experience, this enthusiastic, supportive community will give you the boost you need to reach new heights of performance.
Exercise is important for your loved one as well, which is why LA County offers water aerobics for seniors. With reasonable rates and classes on most days of the week, Whittier makes it easy for seniors to get moving.
- Spend Time With a Friend
Humans are social creatures, and being around each other is crucial to our mental health. In fact, people who spend at least six hours daily around others are 12 times more likely to describe themselves as happy than those who don’t.
Family caregiving can be isolating, so it’s important to set aside time to socialize. Mugs Coffee Roasters is a great place to relax, so next time you’re free, sit down and reconnect with a friend over coffee and pastries.
It’s also helpful to get support from others who understand what you’re going through. That’s why Oakmont Assisted Living hosts a caregiver support group every second Wednesday each month. When you’re feeling down, try stopping in and talking to other family caregivers about it. You might be surprised how much it helps.
- Plan for the Future
One of the best ways to reduce long-term stress is to build a concrete plan. It’s hard work, but preparing for the challenges ahead makes them far easier to face.
Future planning is far easier with the help of an expert like estate attorneys, care managers or social workers. For help navigating benefits, we highly recommend working with Amourette Dailey at Boomers Insurance.
Reach Out for Support
Being a family caregiver is rewarding, but you also need to take care of yourself. Luckily, with so many community resources available to offer support and help you unwind, you’re not alone. And if you need direct assistance caring for your loved one, FirstLight Home Care of Whittier can help you avoid family caregiver burnout.
Whether you need temporary respite care or long-term assistance, we’re here for you. Our professional caregivers offer your loved one the same compassionate care and companionship that you would, so you can gain peace of mind while you’re not with them.
To learn more about our care options, or if you just need help finding local resources, don’t hesitate to contact us.