Voltaren is Helping Caregivers Find the Self Care They Deserve
Voltaren has created helpful tools and resources for caregivers to enjoy a renewed journey of physical health.
All of a sudden, you’re grocery shopping for your dad, or helping your partner recover after a health setback or surgery. Whether you realize it or not, you’ve added the title “caregiver” to your already busy life. And as a caregiver—no matter how big or small your role is—you’re acting unselfishly to help make life for your spouse, companion, or relative just a little more comfortable and convenient. Yet in a recent survey of Americans, only 1 in 5 (or 20 percent) responded that they would consider themselves to be a caregiver for someone in their lives.
November is National Family Caregivers Month
This month is a time to acknowledge the dedication of selfless unpaid caregivers—like you—whose labor of love often comes at a price of their own physical and mental well-being. It’s important for caregivers to recognize their value and to prioritize their own needs, whether it’s managing stress, establishing better exercise habits, or finding emotional support.
During National Family Caregivers Month—and all year long—Voltaren, whose mission is to support caregivers from all walks of life, shines the light on family caregivers, especially those working out of the limelight in often unpaid roles, through its Acts of Care initiative.
More often than not, the caregiver neglects their own feelings or physical pain for the sake of ensuring the one they love is cared for most in that moment. In a recent study called “Musculoskeletal discomfort, physical demand, and caregiving activities in informal caregivers” conducted by Ohio State University Center for Clinical and Translational Science, 94 percent of caregivers reported musculoskeletal pain as a result of their unselfish acts of care taking. Further, 58 percent of caregivers say their own exercising habits have become worse since becoming a caregiver.
Through the Acts of Care program, Voltaren conducted an experiment to show caregivers their true worth. The hope is that by having a better understanding of their value, caregivers will have a renewed sense of self, leading to a new journey toward their own physical health that may have taken a backseat to their loved one’s health.
Caregivers Discovering Their True Worth
Through heartfelt conversations, combined with cutting-edge neuro technology, Voltaren interviewed two caregivers, along with the person they were providing care for. During the interview, both caregivers wore an EEG headset, powered by EMOTIV, that measured their responses to various questions. Data was captured that reflected their mental and physical well-being throughout the question-and-answer period, and measurements were conducted based on brain wave changes in levels of stress, relaxation, excitement, engagement, and attention.
The goal was to help caregivers to better understand the value they bring to a loved one’s life so they can begin to prioritize their own health and well-being.
Both caregivers previously downplayed their involvement as an official caregiver by simply saying it was what they needed to do. However, through this experience, they both discovered their worth—as not only as loving family members—but also their worth as a caregiver. In fact, the results of the Voltaren brain mapping module showed a 36 percent increase in wellbeing after hearing from their loved one.*
To help others realize their worth, Voltaren has created helpful tools and resources for caregivers to enjoy a renewed journey of physical health at: http://voltarengel.com/supporting-caregivers
Feel the Joy of Movement Again
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*EEG used to indicate a change in wellbeing and analysis of brainwaves powered by EMOTIV. Results are not statistically significant due to small sample.
