Category: Goal Setting

Goal Setting, Healthy Living, Self-Care

8-Weeks of Self-Care

Commit to self-care and find your own inner awesome. Self-care is one of the best ways to prevent compassion fatigue. However, most people do not even truly understand what self-care really is. We know when we are tired, worn out or simply done but do we know when we are sustained? Let’s explore self-care together. What is the first 6 tips to review.

  1. Listen to yourself – We instinctively know what is best
    for us, but often do not listen. We will even ignore our
    body telling us. Feeling tired, having pain, having a
    nagging feeling in your gut. That is your body trying to
    tell you something. Honor your intuition.
  2. Prioritize – No one can do it all and trying is just going
    to land you in a world of distress and disappointment.
    Take time to prioritize your day and be ready to let
    go to as much of your list as possible. Focus on what
    is important to you and accept that you can not do
    everything.
  3. Ask for Help – If you are feeling dissatisfied with the amount
    you are able to do on your own then use your resources. Do not
    be afraid to ask others for help. Allowing another to help you
    not only takes off some of the burden off of you, it can also give
    them an opportunity to express their goodwill towards you and
    allow them to feel valued in the process.
  4. Take Care of Your Body – You only get one. Exercising,
    eating well and sleep are essential for self-care. In addition to
    the basics, go the extra mile and create pleasant experiences for
    your body that you will enjoy – a relaxing bath, a leisurely walk
    through nature breathing fresh, clean air, a comfortable nap in a
    sunny spot, a nourishing meal, a massage, whatever strikes your
    fancy. treat yourself.
  5. Be with those you love – Surround yourself with the ones
    who make you smile. Smiling is good for you, so is laughing – so
    keep those loved ones close! Whether it’s your family, lover, pet
    or favorite movie star on your TV, keeping company that makes
    you happy and supports & loves you (the real you) is a wonderful
    form of self care.
  6. Speak Up – Would you want someone to squash their true feelings,
    dreams and desires because they were afraid to express themselves,
    even though it is hurting them to do so? Don’t do this to yourself either. Be honest with yourself and others. Don’t say “yes” to someone even if it means saying “no” to yourself. Take care of your needs and don’t be afraid to say them out loud. When you share your needs to others, it often allows them to feel comfortable enough to allow them to share theirs.
Goal Setting, Legacy Living, Top Lists, Uncategorized

6 Pillars of Brain Health

The 6 Pillars of Brain Health

  • Physical Exercise– People who exercise regularly have a lower risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease. Spend up to 30 minutes a day to improve your cardiovascular health. Activities such as walking, jogging, or riding your bike outside are fantastic ways to improve your health.
  • Food and Nutrition– As we grow older, we are exposed to oxidation from lifestyle and the environment. Oxidation damages brain cells. Eating foods rich in antioxidants can fend off the oxidation effects in the brain. Eating green also has brain health benefits. Bad fats such as trans fats, along with other sugar-loaded, processed foods can debilitate your brain’s function. As they say, you are what you eat.
  • Medical Health– Diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, obesity, depression and anxiety, head trauma, higher cholesterol, and smoking all increase the risk of dementia. Remember to check-in with your doctor and take medications as prescribed! It is important to not ignore emotional and mental health, since the risk of mental illness increases if ignored.
  • Sleep and Relaxation– A good night’s sleep energizes you, improves your mood/immune system, and may reduce buildup of beta-amyloid plaque, an abnormal protein. Practices like meditation can help improve your brain health and sleep habits. See our Sleep Awareness blog post for more information on how sleep can affect you.
  • Mental Fitness– Mental exercise is just as critical as physical exercise. Doing brain exercises can improve your brain’s function and promote new brain cell growth, which is great against developing dementia. With games like Sudoku, My Brain Trainer, and Brain Age 2, brain exercises are easy to practice whenever available. Doing organic exercises are also a great tool, including doing math in your head, keeping a journal, and learning a musical instrument. The more your brain is put to the test, the more active it is!(6)
  • Social Interaction– Having an active social life can protect you against memory loss. Studies have shown that people who communicate with others are memory boosters – they have the slowest rate of memory decline. It is also able to lower blood pressure and can improve life expectancy.

Author

Brain Health Awareness: Take Care of Your Brain! (rapidwristbands.com)

COVID 19, Goal Setting, Healthy Living, Top Lists

Top 2020 Changes 😎 We Made Due to COVID

I have heard so much said about this year. 2020 has really kicked us in the keester. Never have I said “this is unreal, surreal” so many times before this year. That is saying a lot since I, myself have had cancer, lost a child and my father. That all being said I will say it again. There is literally nothing about this year that is normal.

Maybe that is the one great thing to remember about 2020. Can you name all of the “new” things you have done this year that has never happened before. What about all of the things you completely stopped doing? Here is a short list below. Feel free to go to our Facebook and Instagram Page and include your own 2020 firsts.

  1. The gas I saved. (Literally 100’s of dollars saved)
  2. The calls I made.
  3. Zoom (need I say more)
  4. Grocery Shopping as an event (since there wasn’t anything else to do)
  5. Grocery Shopping Pick-Up (Okay I had embraced this in 2019 but most of you started it this year)
  6. Stopped eating out (Like I relearned how to pack my own lunch. Which is both an art form and a healthy option. Not to mention the money I saved)
  7. Learned how to teach my kids. (Which for me was a low point, but hey we did it)
  8. Cleaned (Like nooks, crannies and boxes were sorted)
  9. Donated the old (I know I wasn’t alone because the donation lines went on for days)
  10. Movie night nearly every day. (We even got into watching movies in other languages)
  11. Learning apps (language, meditation, yoga, motivational – you name it, we did it)
  12. Alternatives to TP (Our house managed to stock up right before the crazy started, but it was luck)
Care Management, Goal Setting, Legacy Living, Placement

Let’s Make Our Own Luck in Long Term Care

Let’s Make Our Own Luck

Have you ever wondered what you would do if you woke up and your world was turned upside down by a loved one needing care? No, you didn’t because that would be a nightmare, right? I live in a world where people never anticipate needing care and yet they need it every single day. They think it is the end of living. I am here to guide you to the truth.

When I was a young adult I had the privilege of being an actor. I don’t have many movies behind my belt but the few I do have lingered. My children asked to see one of them for the first time today. It got me to thinking about life, memories and what it all means. Everyone wants to make their own destiny, don’t they? No one wants their future job or spouse picked by someone else. We don’t want to be told where to live or to what we enjoy.

Yet every single day I see people who have procrastinated the choice that will make or break their family. Why do we do it? Why do we leave these burdens for others to pick up? Like a hoarder who gets overwhelmed by their piles of stuff, we are left frozen, debilitated.

So, let’s start this month by stop hoping the end will be as good as the beginning. Stop hoping it all turns out and wishes and unicorns will fill the final years of our lives with greatness. Let’s start making our luck. Let’s plan where we go, how we are cared for and how it will all be paid for. Let’s start this month as the month by having a real plan about how the final years start. We spend much effort on how they begin.

How do you make your luck concerning the “after retirement stage” of your life?

  • Investments – See a financial advisor and get your money planned for fun and care.
  • Long-Term Care -Care Plan – Register for an upcoming Long-Term Care – Care Plan Creation Session
  • Attend a Pre-Planner’s Seminar – Go to our website to sign up for the next one. (If you are our of the area watch for webinars.) CayCare.com/preplanner
  • Pay for long-term care insurance to pay for care and save money
  • Get your legal documents in order – See an elder law attorney to write up your will and other legal documents.
  • Talk to your family – Do not leave them in the dark! When you were deciding what college to go to or profession to take up you went to those you trusted and discussed. Do this with your loved ones. Do NOT leave them in the dark.

Lisa Doyle is a registered nurse, educator, and geriatric care manager who has worked for over 15 years in helping seniors find long term care solutions. She takes empowerment and education to the next level and ensures her whole team does the same. A CayCare advisor can help you make your best care solution and plan today. Before Lisa worked in geriatrics she was a home health and hospice nurse and worked with traumatic brain injury and spinal cord injuries. She is the mother of 3 beautiful and active children.

(C) Copywritten Material Created by Lisa Doyle. Lisa is the author and no portion of this article can be copied without express written permission from the creator.

 

 

Care Management, Goal Setting, Healthy Living, Uncategorized

Top New Year’s Resolution for the Senior in Your Life 2020

Top Resolutions for Seniors in 2020

Once you get to a certain age New Year’s Resolutions just seem silly. However, I would challenge you that once you get older resolutions should really have more meaning. I mean, once you are “old enough to know” you should be able to resolve with the best of them right? A good resolution should help make life easier, healthier and more fulfilling. What senior doesn’t need that. So I propose to all of you seniors out there to get your resolve on with the rest of these young ones.

Now that I have thrown down this challenge what should you resolve to do? I mean, losing weight may have been a resolution you have given up long ago. However, you only have one life, one body and why not just start eating healthy now? Eating healthy is not just so you look good but feel good as well.

  1. Resolve to eat healthy. To use food as fuel. To learn what your body needs and needs to avoid. To educate yourself on what you need to avoid. To better understand the health of eating rather then the comfort of it.
  2. Resolve to drink enough fluids. As we age not getting enough fluids can cause issues that affect your overall health. Keeping up on hydration not only helps prevent infections but keeps our cells younger and healthier.
  3. Resolve to smile more. Research has shown that a smile affects your mental health and those around you in a positive manner. Your resolution helps others while helping you. The world just needs more happy people. Resolve to be one of them. Your mood will improve even when a smile or laugh isn’t genuine. Fake it until you make it is genuine in this case.
  4. Resolve to spend time with someone less fortunate than you. Let’s face it people need people. By resolving to spend time with someone less fortunate you are benefiting yourself and someone else. Loneliness is a thing. This happens more and more as we age and our world gets smaller and smaller. Resolving to find someone to spend time with you are focusing on others.

No matter your age these resolutions would benefit.

Lisa Doyle is a Registered Nurse who has worked in geriatrics most of her career. She works as a care manager and placement navigator in Washington state. Helping families navigate the world of long term care. She provides support and family mediation when a family is unsure what to do next. She founded CayCare in 2005. Lisa has worked with traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries and dementia. She has worked closely with clients who have Multiple Sclerosis, Strokes and Parkinson’s as well. To learn more about what Lisa and CayCare does go to www.caycare.com

There are also specialty courses available online for planning ahead before seeing an elder law attorney. She also teaches facilities how to best work with seniors and their families. To purchase one of her courses go to www.caycare.com/ondemand