Archive for the ‘Caregiver Health’ Category
Wednesday, April 29th, 2009
6 Steps to Preventing the Flu: Good Health Habits Can Stop Germs
1. Avoid close contact.
Avoid close contact with people who are sick. When you are sick, keep your distance from others to protect them from getting sick too.
2. Stay home when you are sick.
If possible, stay home from work, school, and errands when you are sick. You will help prevent others from catching your illness.
3. Cover your mouth and nose.
Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. It may prevent those around you from getting sick.
4. Clean your hands.
Washing your hands often will help protect you from germs.
5. Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.
Germs are often spread when a person touches something that is contaminated with germs and then touches his or her eyes, nose, or mouth.
6.Practice other good health habits.
Get plenty of sleep, be physically active, manage your stress, drink plenty of fluids, and eat nutritious food.
One-stop access to U.S. Government information on swine, avian and pandemic flu:
http://www.pandemicflu.gov.
Tags: flu, health promotion, swine, swine flu prevention
Posted in Caregiver Health, Other, Resources | No Comments »
Friday, April 3rd, 2009
HOW TO SURVIVE A HOSPITAL STAY
THINGS TO BRING WITH YOU, or not TO THE HOSPITAL
1. POWER OF ATTORNEY – Make sure the hospital has copies of the patient’s healthcare durable power of attorney that states who will make decisions if the patient can no longer do so for themselves.
2. CONTACT INFORMATION – of family or involved loved ones
3. MEDICATION LIST – Make sure the hospital has the patient’s current list of all the medications your loved one takes.
4. MEDICAL HISTORY
If possible, bring a list of surgeries, doctors, previous tests run (and results) and diagnoses.
5. REMOVE ALL VALUABLES – Do not leave valuables with your loved one at the hospital
6. PERSONAL ITEMS – Things that are good to have are glasses, hearing aids and dentures, but be careful with them! If you leave items such as glasses, a cane, a walker, or dentures, make sure they are labeled and also listed in the patient’s chart on the “personal belongings” sheet.
BEING AN ADVOCATE
1- PEOPLE TO MAKE FRIENDS WITH — Make friends with the discharge planner
- Get to know the nurses
2. TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF – Make sure the caregivers / advocates are taking good care of themselves during the hospital stay.
3. HIRE YOUR OWN ADVOCATE – An advocate such as a geriatric care manager knows how to navigate the medical system. They are invaluable. You can search for the closest Professional Geriatric Care Manager on www.AgingPro.com’s Eldercare Directory.
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9 THINGS YOU NEED WHEN YOU LEAVE THE HOSPITAL:
Before your loved one leaves the hospital, make sure you have:
1. An understanding of your loved one’s condition and diagnosis, results of any tests, and any changes that have happened as a result of treatment during the hospital stay
2. A written medication list (including dosage and potential side effects)
3. A written list of any needed follow-up physicians visits
4. An understanding of any problems or symptoms that may occur when the patient gets home – what to look for and when to call for help.
5. A written care plan with next steps
6. Any special equipment to prepare the home for your loved one’s return (hospital bed, home modification, rental equipment)
7. Arrangements for home health care or home care aid services- find out what services insurance will and will not cover
8. Education on any special needs your loved one may have when she arrives home
9. Transportation home, or wherever your loved one will be going. Find out if insurance will pay for an ambulance, if necessary.
Tags: caregivers, discharge, hospital, how to survive a hospital stay, medication list, power of attorney
Posted in Caregiver Health, Family Caregivers, Tips on Caregiving | No Comments »
Wednesday, March 4th, 2009
10 Tips to Successful Caregiving
1) Learn About the Resources Available to You. Consult books, websites, workshops and eldercare professionals. (Hint: You can find leads to many of these, including the latest caregiving information, at our website, www.agingpro.com.)
2) Educate Yourself About Any Disease Involved. Education can relax your fears and give you clarity and strength.
3) Take Care of Yourself First. Maintain your own physical and emotional health. Avoid caregiver burnout – your family needs the caregivers to be healthy!
4) Learn Caregiving Techniques. Learn about topics such as: communication and organizational skills, managing the physical needs of your loved one, safety and emergency preparedness.
5) Exercise Your Sense of Humor. Smile. You can go through difficult situations laughing or crying. If it’s going to be funny later, it can be funny now.
6) Communicate with Doctors. Get to know your loved one’s physicians. Ask questions, express concerns and discuss treatment options.
7) Keep a Positive Focus. We can’t think positive all the time, but holding a positive focus about the strengths of your loved one and the blessings in the situation will help your attitude and emotions to stay “up.”
8) Discuss the Situation With your Loved Ones. Support and honesty are essential in navigating long term care.
9) Look for the Blessings. You might be surprised at the hidden gifts that caregiving brings – keep your eyes open. You find what you focus upon.
10) Ask for Help. You don’t have to be alone. www.AgingPro.com offers many free resources for caregiver support nationwide, to assist you.
Tags: Caregiver Health, caregiving, caregiving tips, eldercare, Family Caregivers, senior, successful caregiving
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Thursday, January 22nd, 2009
Are you making you making your community or world a better place by being of service? President Obama has made national service an important cause – and wants to make it possible for all Americans to serve their country.
34 million family caregivers have already been answering Obama’s call to service. A study by AARP (“Valuing the Invaluable”) shows that family caregiving the U.S. reached $375 billion in 2007. That exceeds the $311 spent by Medicaid last year!
Family caregivers also give an average of $5,531 of their own money to care for their parents. They tend to struggle with physical and financial issues of their own, and be more stressed.
Many times, family caregivers could use to be of greater service to themselves, while taking care of others. Access to needed resources, self-care and health promotion and having a support system to talk to about the challenges of caregiving is critical. www.AgingPro.com offers the national resources, education and community to help caregivers reduce stress and increase peace of mind.
Family caregivers – thank you for your service!
Tags: aarp, cargivers, Family Caregivers, informal caregivers, obama, service
Posted in 5 Minutes for Me!, Caregiver Health, Caregiving for Alzheimer's, Family Caregivers, Inspiration and Joy, Other | No Comments »
Sunday, January 11th, 2009
Vit B 3 or Niacin has been know as a cognitive enhancer for a long time. It also has a profound effect on cardiovascular problems, in particular high cholesterol. It is not recommended for people who have high blood pressure, a frequent problem in the older population. To find Niacin in an amount that would be sufficient you could try the Niacitol from Pure Encapsulation. It comes in 1500 mg which is very close to the amount they suggested in the British study.
Information from Bertrand Babinet PhD., LAc.
Tags: brain health, memory, vitamin B3
Posted in Caregiver Health, Caregiving for Alzheimer's, Family Caregivers, Other | No Comments »
Wednesday, January 7th, 2009
Being of service always makes me feel better! Getting out of my own “stuff” and giving of my overflow relieves tension and brings joy. I’ve heard “service is its own reward” and that has been my experience. So, here’s an opportunity!
President-elect Obama has called for January 19, 2009, the day before the inauguration, to be a National Day of Service. Get involved with helping your community by finding a service project near you – go to this website and enter your zip code. http://www.usaservice.org/content/home/
Tags: Caregiver Health, joy, national day of service, obama, service
Posted in Caregiver Health, Inspiration and Joy, Other | No Comments »
Thursday, December 11th, 2008
What a difference an attitude makes!
I’ve been aware of feeling kind of “funky” over the last couple days, but didn’t know exactly why. It hit me tonight that I’ve been focusing on all the “bad” news in the media – the economy, the war, the bailouts, the political corruption and more. I’ve been allowing it to affect me and bring me down.
What I know is that in the past, when I have focused on what I am grateful for, what I appreciate and what is good, I feel much better! A simple thing like an attitude of gratitude can be so powerful.
So, I tried a little on tonight. I began celebrating the things I was calling negative or irritating. I took a different perspective and embraced (loved) what I resisted. I loved that my daughter was up way past her bedtime. I loved that I’ve gained a couple pounds lately. I loved the pain in my neck. I loved that this economic condition is giving me a chance to relook at my priorities – to fine tune my effectiveness and focus. I am grateful for what I have (and am willing to let go of the expectations about what I think I should have).
Just saying those things makes me feel lighter and less “down.” My attitude is the one thing I have control over – all the time. I am choosing to feel hopeful and optimistic and grateful. There is so much to be thankful for. There is beauty all around me, and I can make the choice to look.
P.S. It’s almost a full moon tonight. Have you looked up lately? Enjoy!
Tags: attitude, caregiving, depression, eldercare, gratitude, health, inspiration
Posted in Caregiver Health, Inspiration and Joy, Other, musing | No Comments »
Sunday, November 9th, 2008
The California Women’s Conference in Long Beach was another amazing success this year. If you haven’t been, it is worth your time. When this year’s tickets went on sale, they sold out (14,000 tickets) in 3 hours, so you have to be watching when tickets go on sale. Speakers ranged from Condoleezza Rice to Bono, Billie Jean King to Warren Buffet.
AgingPro.com’s booth was packed with people interested in learning more about the national online resource. So many told stories of past or present caregiving adventures.
One of the breakout sessions covered the topic of Caregiving, and Leeza Gibbons (Leeza’s Place) was one of the speakers. I was impressed with her positive perspective on aging and caregiving and her authenticity – seeing the challenges as blessings and how caregivers can take care of themselves.
Videos of the conference are available at the conferenece website http://www.californiawomen.org/assets/conferenceday/livevideo.html
Tags: California women conference, caregiving, Leeza Gibbons
Posted in Caregiver Health, Family Caregivers, Inspiration and Joy | No Comments »
Monday, September 29th, 2008
Today is about nurturing yourself while you’re doing regular activities.
For example, how about enjoying a shower meditation? While you’re showering, take the time to feel the water on your skin, and imagine it washing away the stress of the day.
While you are eating, bring your awareness to the taste of the food in your mouth. Allow yourself to appreciate you nurturing yourself with healthy food to keep your body vital and healthy.
While you’re walking today, feel your feet touching the ground. Imagine that every step you take is on sacred ground and that the earth is supporting you. Bring your awareness to the flowers along your path, and appreciate who made them.
Bring your awareness to your breath. Take deep, cleansing breaths and feel your lungs expanding and oxygenating your cells. When you breathe out, exhale stress and judgment, and inhale loving and calm.
Take everyday activities and bring your awareness to them in a fresh, new way today. It doesn’t take any extra time, just a shift in perspective.
Take good care of yourself today.
Tags: activities of daily living, Caregiver Health, five minutes for me
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Thursday, September 18th, 2008
Today, I’d like you all to stretch out of your comfort zones for 5 minutes for Me! Today, I want you to just rest. Yes, rest. This could mean sleeping, or just sitting down and doing nothing. Rest has a lot of value, including being restorative.
So, after you’re done reading this blog, please, go be somewhere just with you, turn off the lights and the phone and the pagers – put up a sign that says “unavailable for 5 minutes” and just rest.
Notice how you feel before and after your 5 minutes of rest. After resting for 5 minutes, celebrate and congratulate yourself for taking care of yourself and taking time for you! Leave the guilt behind.
If you’re like me, or other caregivers, taking time for yourself just to rest is an underutilized skill. I remind myself regularly that rest is good and that it is productive – it just looks different than other types of productivity and the results are not always seen on the exterior.
Rest is important – it calms the nerves, decreases stress, and brings peace.
I want to hear from you – what do you do that brings you peace and calm?
Enjoy!
Tags: Caregiver Health, peace, rest
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Tuesday, September 2nd, 2008
Hello everyone! This 5 Minutes for Me! focuses on your breath.
Focusing on your breath is a powerful tool, bringing relaxation, balance and clearing.
Set a timer for 5 minutes. In the most quiet, peaceful room you can find, sit comfortably in a chair with your feet on the floor and your hands in your lap. Set your intention to focus only on your breath and let go of any other concerns or worries. (It may help to have a pen and piece of paper handy, where you can write down any recurring thoughts that won’t leave you alone).
Bless yourself in whatever way works for you – it may be a prayer, or an invocation of peace. Now, just focus on the rising and falling of your chest as you breath in and out. When you breathe in, your chest expands and rises. When you exhale, you chest falls. Feel the tide of your breath. Take nice size breaths, and fill your entire chest with air. Try holding your breath for five seconds before you exhale.
Become aware of your breath. Where does it come from and where does it go. Let all your thoughts drift away. Breathe in through your nose and out through your nose.
Bless yourself for this time with yourself. Forgive yourself for any judgments you hold against yourself.
Now, you are ready to take on the day! Do as many breathing awareness moments as you need or want!
Tags: breathing, Caregiver Health, self care
Posted in 5 Minutes for Me!, Caregiver Health, Caregiving for Alzheimer's | No Comments »
Tuesday, September 2nd, 2008
I am aware that caregiver health is a major public health issue. Caregivers are more twice as likely to be depressed, have higher hospitalization rates, higher risk of heart disease, and slower healing rates than non-caregivers. The list goes on. Physical, mental and emotional health can all be affected. The bottom-line is, it is time for caregivers to start taking better care of themselves. I love the simple yet profound quote by John-Roger: “Take Care of Yourself so You Can Help Take Care of Others.” This is especially true for caregivers.
I am going starting a segment called “5 Minutes for Me!” Since lack of time is often a reason we come up with for not taking better care of ourselves, let’s start with 5 minutes a day! Everyone can find 5 minutes somewhere, even if you have to give up 5 minutes of staring at your computer screen with no direction but generally surfing the net.
Also, as caregivers we are generally much better at taking 5 minutes to help someone else than 5 minutes for ourselves – hence the name minutes for “Me.” I know it will be a stretch for many of us to give ourselves even 5 minutes. Check it out and see what your experience is! See the results of what taking 5 minutes will do for your health, balance, well-being, and peace level. Remember, this is fun!
I’d love to hear from you. What have you done for 5 minutes a day that has benefitted your health and balance?
Tags: Caregiver Health, health
Posted in 5 Minutes for Me!, Caregiver Health | No Comments »
Tuesday, August 26th, 2008
If you’re a caregiver, studies show that there are many health problems that you are vulnerable to. It is very important that you “take care of yourself so you can help take care of others.” This is our www.AgingPro.com motto.
4 Tips for today:
1) Exercise. Move! It relieves stress and usually makes you feel better!
2) Pray / Meditate. Prayer has been shown to decrease agitation in people with Alzheimer’s – so it would be good for caregivers and the person being cared for. Relax, focus on your breathing, smile, connect.
3) Eat right. I mean eat and drink what works for your body. You are the only one who knows what that is. Be good to yourself, and cooperate with what works for you so you can enjoy increased energy and vitality!
4) Find the information and resources you need. Part of the stress of caregiving is the stress involved to navigate the fragmented senior services. www.AgingPro.com includes articles, support and a national eldercare directory for all your eldercare needs – it brings everything eldercare to one place – so you can relax.
Remember, take good care of yourself today. Enjoy.
What have you found works best to keep you in balance and in good health while managing caregiving?
All the best,
Cheryl
Tags: Caregiver Health
Posted in Caregiver Health, Caregiving for Alzheimer's, Tips on Caregiving | No Comments »
