When thinking about family caregivers, what usually comes to mind is a middle-aged woman. But a new report from AARP stated that the percentage of male caregivers has gone up to 40% compared to 34% eight years ago. "Today, 40% of the 40 million Americans caring for a loved one are male." 

Both male and female caregivers are prone to same health problems that come with caring for a loved one, including stress and depression. One of the differences, generally speaking, is that male caregivers may be more uncomfortable with hands-on personal care, especially those who have not spent time in child-care. They also experience difficulty opening up when about their feelings of stress and pressure. 

To learn more about this topic, visit the AARP report, and for support as a caregiver join the PAC.

The fundamentals of caring follows the story of a retired writer looking for a new job after a tragedy. He takes a care giving course and is hired by an English woman to look after her son who has Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. It takes a while for the caregiver and patient to connect, but after they do they embark on a road trip across the US. Through their road trip they learn how to cope with the negatives and how to focus on the positive, it tells a great story about love, hope and friendship.

We invite you to take a moment to relax and enjoy our stress relief photo and inspirational quote and share them with loved ones. This week's photo was taken looking down onto Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, just before the opening of the 2016 Olympic Games. It is that beautiful time of day when the afternoon gives way to the evening.Thank you caregivers and certified nursing aides for your hard work and the care you provide for our seniors. More caregivers are always needed as seniors in America are living longer. You can learn more about becoming a senior caregiver and apply for a job near you. We hope you have a great week.

Physical, mental, and social changes that naturally develop with age can make it hard to get the rest you need. Everything from medications to failing eyesight can interfere with your body’s sleep-wake cycle. Despite these challenges, there are many effective ways to improve your sleep quality without adding another medication to your list.

Start with Healthy Sleep Habits

One of the best places to start is your sleep habits. While these habits and behaviors may not fix all of your sleep problems, they give your mind and body ample opportunity for fall and stay asleep.

• Consistent Bed and Wake-Up Time: Your body loves consistency. By going to bed and waking up at the same time every day, you let your body adjust to your preferred schedule. Over time, the body will automatically start releasing sleep hormones at the appropriate time.
• Bedtime Routine: A regular pattern of activities before bed serves an important purpose. One – a familiar routine helps the brain recognize when to release sleep hormones. Two – it’s gives you an opportunity to relieve stress and tension before bed. A routine does not need to be complicated or long but should include activities that leave you feeling calm and relaxed.
• Avoid Screens Before Bed: Televisions and other electronic devices can give off a bright blue light that suppresses sleep hormones. Try shutting them off two to three hours before bed to keep your body on schedule.

If after working on your sleep habits you find you’re still struggling, you might need to consult a physician to look for an underlying sleep disorder. Sometimes better sleep comes through something as simple as an anti-snoring device, mouthguard, or therapeutic pillow.

When You Need More Than Healthy Habits

While many people will notice an improvement in their sleep when they use good sleep habits, others may find they need more of an intervention. A few to consider:

• Mindfulness Meditation: Meditation acts as a stress management tool. Many older adults experience stress due to the loss of a loved one, changes in living situation, or financial concerns. To get the rest you need, you have to be able to put stress aside for a time, and that’s where mindfulness meditation comes in. This type of meditation focuses on the present while allowing thoughts of the past and future to pass through without lingering. Over time, this “present” focus changes the structure of the brain by strengthening the connection between the emotional center of the brain and the logic/reasoning center. The overall effect is less stress and, oftentimes, better sleep.
• Bright Light Therapy: Natural light helps set and trigger the sleep-wake cycle. As eyes age, less light becomes available to stimulate the brain, and the sleep cycle may become irregular. Light therapy requires direct daily exposure to light bulbs that simulate natural sunlight. Bright light therapy maximizes light exposure in the morning to help reset the sleep-wake cycle.
• Sleep Restriction: This method uses changes in sleep timing to increase tiredness at night. You would first stay up later than normal, wake up at a regular time, but then stay awake all day, no naps. The next day you follow the same pattern. The theory is that as you get more tired, it gets easier to fall and stay asleep. This method has rules like, if you’re awake, you don’t stay in bed longer than 20 minutes and you don’t get in bed until you’re tired. It’s a process to retrain your body to sleep.

A combination of good sleep habits and interventions based on your unique sleep challenges can help you get the rest you need. With better sleep, you’ll be physically and mentally at your best and ready to live the life you want.

Caregivers provide companionship and caregiving to seniors, and must remember to "care for the caregiver." We thank you caregivers and certified nursing aides for your hard work and caring for our seniors. This week's stress relief photo was taken near Lake Shore Drive in Chicago, Illinois. It is a beautiful oasis in the center of the hustle and bustle of the city. We invite you to take a moment to enjoy the photo and the inspirational quote and share them with loved ones. We hope you have a great week

Calm is the #1 app for meditation. It is designed to help with relaxation and meditation. It has an array of features including meditation, guided breathing, help with sleep and relaxation scenes and techniques. Being a caregiver is very rewarding but it can also be extremely stressful. Make time to focus on yourself, this app can help! 

You can also follow our social media platforms to see our stress relief photo every week! Follow us on instagram, twitter and facebook!

This week's stress relief photo was taken during the summertime in Iceland. Even in a country known for its icy and volcanic terrain, there are areas that are lush and green in the summer. Please enjoy and feel free to share the photo and inspirational quote with loved ones. Thank you caregivers and certified nursing aides for your hard work and caring for our seniors. Senior care training assists caregivers to better manage a senior's care needs and manage caregiver stress. We hope have a great week.

A record number of seniors aged 85 year or older are working in America. Since 2006 this number has grown from 2.6% to 4.4%, its the highest number in record. As life expectancy grows, retirements plans shrink and education levels rise people are working until later in life. They usually work in fields that demand less physical work, like management positions and sales. 

This number is steadily rising, and statistics also show that this segment is working mostly full time jobs instead of part time jobs. Other popular jobs among this age group are ranchers, farmers, crossing guards and even truckers. Staying active is important at that age, you can read more about ways to staying active and social for seniors here. 

To learn more about the increase in people aged 85 or older working, read more here.