5 Important Tips for Caregiving Bipolar Disorder Loved Ones

Most of the time, caring for a loved one with bipolar disorder is considered as a “labor of love”. There will be moments that their behavior could be very exhausting and mentally draining which might somehow turn out to be the things that would happen on a day-to-day basis. Family caregivers are often subjected to different unwanted effects.

Indeed, a great number of family caregivers already struggle with their elderly loved ones’ mood swings and other behavioral changes This is often the reason behind why they become stressed and worst, depressed. They are constantly challenged to stay strong for their loved ones but they are still caught in a middle of health concerns and filial responsibilities.

Sunshine Home Health Aide Org., Inc., a steadfast home care company in La Mesa, California, sees that family caregivers to bipolar disorder patients must be equipped with the right knowledge and skills to stay healthy themselves in the process of their loved ones’ recovery.

1. Get enough rest and sleep.
   This is easier said than done but you should try to get enough rest and sleep so that your body can adjust to the needs of your elderly loved ones. Lack of sleep can cause irritability and if prolonged, you can acquire bipolar disorder due to the changing mood swings that you can get.

   As family caregivers, you ought to stay healthy as much as possible. You may be taking care of them for a while but the negative effects of taking your health for granted in a period of time can bring about long-lasting effects. Make sure that your elderly loved ones get enough activity during the day so that they would be able to get sleep the whole night.

2. Eat healthy foods.
   If you are preparing your elderly loved ones the right foods for them, do not lack the right foods for yourself as well. You need it too. You need to be healthy to continue helping them. Do not let the caregiving responsibility lose you out of shape.

   Take care of your diet. If you feel lazy to make a good one, stay nutritious and avoid junk foods as they are a sign of stress-eating. If you are stressed, do something that you would want to do to get your way out of the irritable mood.

3. Do a 15-minute exercise daily.
   You may not have time for a 30-50-minute workout like you used to but do not let your caregiving responsibilities over-consume your health control. Find 15-minute daily routines before you engage in your caregiving tasks for the day. You can even ask a trainer or a friend on what exercises are best for your case.

   However, you should also not exceed more than 50 minutes because it might exhaust you and might not have enough energy to assist your elderly loved ones. You have to take good care of your body and avoid over-exercising since it can lead to sprains and breaks that would not be beneficial for family caregivers.

4. Practice extra patience and understanding.
   Given that your elderly loved ones have bipolar disorder, it is very important to know that their attitudes are often different from the usual flows of emotions. Sometimes they may be too happy, the next thing you know they change aura in a blink of an eye.

   A good night sleep can give you a good mood for the next day given that you have also eaten good foods that help boost a person’s mood. It is very important that you understand their situation that their extreme attitude is caused by the disorder.

5. Get professional support.
   If recently, your elderly loved ones are becoming more uncontrollable, you should consider getting professional help and companionship. Sunshine Home Health Aide Org., Inc. is a committed home care company in La Mesa California who aims to provide the right help for your elderly loved ones with bipolar disorder and other health conditions.

   For more information and assistance, call Sunshine Home Health Aide Org., Inc., a dedicated home care company in La Mesa California, today. We also want to hear from you. Leave your comments and suggestions below.