Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Preserving Precious Moments
In the middle of caregiving it is easy to become so focused on providing care that we don't take time to acknowledge the tender moments we share with one another. These are the special gifts of caregiving. Writing down these precious moments can provide you with a keepsake in the years to come.
If nothing else, take a few moments to breathe deeply, relax, and reflect on the positive times you have shared with the person for whom you are caring.
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Friday, March 12, 2010
General Care Evaluation
An evaluation of needs and activities can be done to assess and determine a baseline which will help determine the caregiver's duties. Here's a short checklist to help you get started:
Housekeeping
- Needs help with all housekeeping chores.
- Does not participate in any housekeeping chores.
- Performs certain housekeeping chores satisfactorily.
- Maintains house in good order but requires help occasionally.
Food Preparation
- Needs help in preparing meals at all times.
- Prepares adequate meals with some help.
- Heats and serves meals prepared by others.
- Can prepare meals with no help.
Transportation
- Needs a companion to travel with.
- Arranges transportation on his/her own.
- Cannot travel by bus.
- Drives own car.
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Tuesday, March 09, 2010
Help for the Beginner Caregiver
The duties of a caregiver usually change and increase over a period of time. One of the most difficult aspects of the caregiver role is that the job continues seven days a week, 24 hours a day. One way to help caregivers "get through the day" is to set up a care plan, develop a routine.
The Caregiver's Care Plan is very similar to the Nurse's Plan of Care and the Hospice Plan of Care. It is a daily record of the care and treatment of the care-receiver. It provides a record of events that assist everyone on the Care Team.
Get started today. Help is just a click away.
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Friday, March 05, 2010
Second Most Common Cancer Among Women
Did you know that cervical cancer is the second most common cancer among women. The two groups of women with the highest rates of this cancer are those from ages 35-39 and those from ages 60-64. Early detection is the key to treatment and survival.
Cervical cancer is almost always caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV). It is a sexually transmitted virus that affects the mucous membranes in humans. It is spread through sexual skin-to-skin contact. Both men and women can be affected by HPV.
A woman can have HPV for years and not know it. It stays in the body and can lead to cervical cancer years after infection. There are often no symptoms. For women, PAP tests are the best way to detect it.
For more information about cervical cancer, go to www.mayoclinic.com/health/cervical-cancer/ds00167.
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Wednesday, March 03, 2010
Heart Disease Includes More Than Heart Attacks
When we hear about heart disease, often our first thought is about heart attacks. However, there are a number of ailments and conditions that can affect the heart. Here's a list of some more common heart conditions.
- Angina-Angina is chest pain or discomfort that occurs in and around the heart when the muscle doesn't get enough oxygen-rich blood. This condition can be brought on by stress, exertion, emotion, extreme cold, or may be a symptom of clogged arteries.
- Aneurysm-This is an abnormal widening or ballooning of a portion of an artery due to weakness in the wall of the blood vessel.
- Arteriosclerosis-This is any hardening or loss of elasticity of medium and large arteries, usually as a result of hypertension.
- Atherosclerosis-This is a condition when fatty material collects in the arterial walls. It can harden over time, causing calcium deposits and restriction of blood flow.
- Hypertension-This is a term used to describe blood pressure. How much water and salt you have in your body; the condition of your kidneys, nervous system, or blood vessels; and the levels of different body hormones can all cause hypertension.
To find out more about heart conditions, go to www.medicinenet.com/heart/focus.htm.
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Friday, February 26, 2010
Happy American Heart Month!
February is American Heart Month. Do you know the five warning signs of a heart attack? They are:
- Shortness of breath
- Chest pain or discomfort
- Pain/discomfort in arms/shoulders
- Feeling weak, light-headed or faint
- Pain/discomfort in jaw, neck or back
This a great month to review your risk factors! For more information, go to: cdc.gov/dhdsp.
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Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Senior Sickness Snowball Effect
There's a new health trend that has been named Senior Sickness Snowball Effect. It affects seniors when a fairly simple illness leads to a number of physical and lifestyle changes which impacts the overall quality of a person's daily life. The recurring cycle goes something like this:
- Loss of appetite
- Inadequate nutrition
- Decrease energy
- Reduction in social activities
- Decreased independence
- Limited social interaction
- Increased potential for depression and stress
- Weakened immune system
- Continued illness
- Loss of appetite
It's important for seniors to manage their health and keep their immune system strong. For more information, visit www.myseniorhealthcare.com/Aging-And-Our-Immune-System.html.
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Friday, February 19, 2010
Stop Colon Cancer Before It Starts
Did you know that colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer related deaths in the U.S.? If detected early the cure rate is 90%. In fact, colorectal cancer can often be prevented if detected early. It usually starts with a small growth called a polyp; if found early, doctors can remove it and stop colon cancer before it starts.
Colorectal cancer is usually slow to develop. Early on, there are very signs and symptoms. Doctors usually recommend screenings every five or ten years, starting at age 50. For more information, go to: www.mayoclinic.com/health/colon-cancer/DS00035.
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Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Is your Stock Picking Acumen Related to your Age?
According to a recent study four economists studied bank data on several types of loan transactions and found that people in their 20s and those over age 70 were more likely than those in middle age to make financial mistakes. Some of those mistakes included accepting higher-than-necessary rates on home equity loans or owing fees for a tardy credit card payment or going over a credit limit.
The economists attributed these types of mistakes to inexperience of the young and to declining decision-making abilities in the elders. This could be a problem because older people have much larger assets and have more at stake.
If you are over age 70 make sure you have a good financial plan. Ask your advisor about simplifying your investments, paring accounts, organizing records, and eliminating debt.
For more information, go to: www.thirdage.com/retirement.
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Friday, February 12, 2010
Pets Can Fill Emotional Voids
Studies show that elders often transfer much of their love and attention to their pets as a way of dealing with natural losses in their lives. Pets can provide companionship and help to take your loved-one's mind off worries and health issues. Many elders feel better when their pet is sleeping nearby or in the bed.
As a caregiver, it's a good idea to include the pets in your care plan!
For information about adopting a pet, call your local animal shelter or humane society.
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Tuesday, February 09, 2010
Caregiver Talk that Leads to Caregiver Guilt
Try to resist the temptation to make open-ended promises while you are caregiving. Even though making promises may seem like a quick fix to smooth over uncomfortable feelings, it may instead lead to caregiving guilt down the road---especially if you can't fulfill the promises.
Often it is better to offer commitments rather than promises. Assure your loved-one that you will do your best to honor their wishes or that together you will find a solution to the problem.
For more information about caregiver guilt, go to: www.seniorsapprove.com/guilt.html.
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Friday, February 05, 2010
Choosing a Nursing Home-Medical Questions to Ask
Making a choice to reside in a nursing home is a difficult emotional decision. As you start to narrow down your search be sure to ask these questions about the medical services included:
- How is a resident involved in his/her own Plan of Treatment?
- What is the nursing home's policy in regard to physicians? Residents of a nursing home have the right to choose an attending physician. If a resident's own physician is unable to respond, the medical director of the facility is responsible for filling in.
- Are other medical services, such as dental, optometric and hearing, available regularly? Is there an added cost for these services? Routine eye, hearing, and dental care is essential to maintain good health. Find out to see if these services are covered by Medicaid or Medicare before paying them.
- Does the home have a transfer agreement with a nearby hospital for emergency care.
For more information, go to: www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/nursinghomes.html.
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Wednesday, February 03, 2010
Alternative to Listing Personal Property in the Will Itself
Whatever type of will you choose, you can make reference to a separate list of items including jewelry, books, automobiles, furniture, and other personal and household items. In the list you name who is to get each item.
You can make this list before you make your will, at the same time, or afterward. You may change the list as often as you wish. The list must be in your handwriting or signed by you. Your will is not effective until you die. If you have sold or given away property mentioned in the will, that provision is simply ignored.
For more information, go to: www.naela.org.
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Friday, January 29, 2010
Sundowning
Many people with Alzheimer's become more disoriented, anxious, excited and agitated as day turns to night. When the natural light is replaced by the dark and/or electric lights, sundowning occurs.
To help lessen the effects of sundowning:
- Stay in a routine and keep the patient comfortable, especially at that hour.
- Alter household lighting to avoid abrupt changes in light as night falls.
- Turn on lights before it gets dark.
- Avoid high intensity bulbs, as shadows can increase disorientation in some patients.
For more information, go to: www.alz.org.
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Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Vetting a Disability Insurance Policy
If you are considering purchasing disability coverage, remember to think about these things:
- Details of what it pays. For example, if it's a percentage of your income, does it include just your base salary, or commissions, too?
- If it's purchased through an employer, can you keep it if you leave?
- Do you have to be unable to do any job comparable to your own before the benefits kick in?
- For long-term policies, are benefits for certain conditions, like mental illness, capped?
For more information, go to: www.disabilitycanhappen.org.
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Friday, January 22, 2010
The Most Important Step in Healthcare Planning
Communication is the single most important step in healthcare planning. Your personal priorities affect your medical decisions. This is especially true at the end of life. It is important to talk about your wishes with the people who may be called upon to speak or decide for you.
Regardless of what your advance directive says, others may not fully understand your wishes. The more thoroughly you communicate, the easier it will be for everyone to respect your wishes. In addition, it will help your loved-ones make difficult decisions with less pain, doubt, and anxiety.
In this age of technology it seems like we are losing our ability to effectively communicate. Now is the time to refine and improve our communication skills. Good communication is essential for good healthcare.
For more information on healthcare planning, go to: www.abanet.org/aging/toolkit.
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Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Personal Health Records and Electronic Health Records Are Not the Same Things
A personal health record (PHR) is a health record that is initiated and maintained by an individual. Typically it would provide a complete summary of the health and medical history of a person by gathering data from multiple sources and making this information accessible online to approved individuals.
Electronic health records (EHRs) require special software designed for use by healthcare providers. The information in electronic health records are legally mandated notes on the care provided by clinicians to patients.
There are many benefits to keeping personal health records. Some of them include:
- The more you know about your health, the more control you have in staying healthier.
- The more health-related information you share with healthcare providers, the better care you will receive.
- Managing your medical information improves your overall well being and quality of health.
Our online organizer and communications hub is a type of personal health record system. Our system is loaded with lots of extras designed to help everyone on the Care Team.
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Friday, January 15, 2010
Part A Home Health-Care Coverage
Medicare Part A covers part-time or intermittent skilled nursing care; physical, occupational, and speech therapy services; medical social services; part-time care provided by a home health aide; and medical equipment for use in the home. Be aware the benefit does not cover general household services. Basically coverage is very limited due to a number of restrictions.
For more information, go to http://www.medicare.gov/.
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Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Financial Elder Abuse
Studies show there is an increase in financial elder abuse and the perpetrators aren't lenders, but instead, family members. According to a MetLife study sons are most likely to scam their elders, even more so than paramours or shady contractors. Recently a number of reverse-mortgage lenders have been found to be less than honorable. If you suspect your senior loved-one is being taken advantage of, contact the Adult Protective Services in your state. APS programs are typically housed within local or state departments of social services or aging.
For more information on elder abuse, go to www.ncea.aoa.gov.
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Friday, January 08, 2010
Your Cholesterol Level
What is your total cholesterol score? Did you know that the level of LDL cholesterol in women jumps almost 10% in the years around menopause. Whether you are the caregiver or the care-receiver, get your LDL cholesterol checked and keep the level under 130 (under 100 is optimal). Get at least 30 minutes of aerobic exercise daily. Eat a diet high in fruits and vegetables, lean meat and fish low in saturated fats. Get your blood pressure checked and try to maintain a level of 120/80 or lower. No smoking!
For more information on cholesterol, visit: www.webmd.com/cholesterol-management/default.htm.
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