| |
| |
|
Elder Care Information |
|
|
|
10 Tips to Keep a Family Caregiver from Losing Their Mind
Caring full time for a loved one can be a challenging task, and it takes a special person to get the job done right. Patience and compassion are the two top qualities a caregiver must possess in order to be successful. Caring for someone who suffers from Alzheimer's disease or other forms of dementia can be an uphill battle at times. This requires planning on behalf of the caregiver in order to keep from burning out. The following are useful tips on how to remain a hardworking caregiver while maintaining your sanity: 1. Maintain hobbies or interests. Find time to do the things you enjoy. You'll find that life outside of care giving has a lot to offer. By taking the time to enjoy your interests, you'll feel motivated to keep caring for your loved one. 2. Join a support group. There are many online and community support groups that offer assistance and a place where you can express your frustrations and concerns. You can find support groups at your local Alzheimer's Association or other organizations. 3. Respite Services. Take advantage of respite help made available by local nursing homes or assisted living facilities. Sometimes getting away for a short weekend helps rejuvenate your soul. 4. Get plenty of exercise. Even if walking the dog on a daily basis is all you have time for, every bit of physical activity helps reduce stress. 5. Just say "No". Be aware of your limits and don't be afraid to say "no" when feel you can't take on the extra responsibility outside of your care giving duties. You'll thank yourself in the end. 6. Keep a journal. It's important to express yourself. Keep track of your thoughts and your goals. It also helps to read and ponder past entries to see how far you've come. 7. Maintain a healthy diet. Don't skip meals and don't consume foods that may cause irritability such as caffeine. You need all the brain power you can get, and by maintaining healthy eating habits, you'll be a better caregiver and a healthier person as a result. 8. Have a support system in place. It's important to have family members available for respite care. It's equally important to connect with friends that you're able to communicate your feelings with. 9. Take frequent breaks. It is important to prevent both physical and emotional burn-out. Take frequent breaks with the help of your support system and community services such as hospice and home health care agencies. 10. Become an educated caregiver. It's important to understand the disease or condition your loved one is faced with. Having an awareness of the techniques and strategies designed solely for specific diseases will make your care giving experience less stressful. Be aware of the community services available as well as the benefits through Medicare. --------------------------------------------------------------- You have permission to use this article as long as the author's full bio is present as well as any hyperlinks to author's website. Torey Farnsworth has over 12 years of experience working with seniors. Ms. Farnsworth's vast expertise encompasses a wide variety of senior issues ranging from adult care to elder law. Most recently, Torey served as Elder Law Director and Paralegal for a Phoenix based law firm where she provided assistance in a variety of areas including long term care planning, estate planning, ALTCS eligibility and Medicaid planning. Ms. Farnsworth is also a certified caregiver with the State of Arizona as well as a Certified Senior Advisor. Ms. Farnsworth has spent her career in senior care as her family owns and operates assisted living homes. Ms. Farnsworth owns and operates a senior care placement business in Arizona called Horizon Senior Care Referral. Her placement services are free to seniors and their families. For information on placement services in Arizona, visit http://adultcarecentral.com/
MORE RESOURCES:
Google News |
 |
|
|
RELATED ARTICLES
Whos Gonna Take Care of You When Youre Old? I finally went to the doctor this morning for my bad cold. My appointment was for 9:30 am and yet I didn't get home until after 1:00 pm. Scaling Down (Almost) Painlessly Moving to a smaller house or apartment in a retirement community almost always involves a certain degree of trauma, both for the elder who's moving and for family members. However, by planning ahead you can reduce the discomfort involved and turn what might well become a nightmare into a pleasant event. 10 Tips to Keep a Family Caregiver from Losing Their Mind Caring full time for a loved one can be a challenging task, and it takes a special person to get the job done right. Patience and compassion are the two top qualities a caregiver must possess in order to be successful. The Truth About Christmas Every year, as Christmas approaches, you hear Christmas carols everywhere. Sometimes to the point where another Silent Night would make you want to silent the sound system. Arizona Senior Housing: Care Options for Seniors Who Can No Longer Live Alone The following are a few of the care options available for seniors who can no longer live on their own and require assistance with their Activities of Daily Living (ADL), or require skilled nursing care. Every state is a little different in terms of availability and cost, state regulations, and the specific names used for each care option:Assisted Living Home- A facility consisting of 10 or fewer residents in a private home setting located in residential neighborhoods. Assisted Living Facilities - What Are They? Assisted Living facilities are generally for person's 60 years of age and older. Typical candidates need assistance with "Activities of Daily Living" (ADLs), but wish to live as independently as possible. Long Term In-home Care Options Are you worried that you may lose all your life's earnings and nest egg due to the rising costs of in-home long term care? As you get older do you have the necessary finances to protect yourself from going broke while slightly incapacitated? Many seniors are worried about are worried about the costs of long-term health care.Are you worried that if something happens to you, that you may run out of money and burn thru their reserves and all your nest egg. When Assistance with Long Term Care Becomes Necessary According to the Administration on Aging, it is estimated by 2030, the older population will more than double to approximately 71.5 million. When the Box is Empty The King had a modest kingdom. He was Danish. Honey, Where Are The Car Keys? Q: My mother is always losing, hiding and hoarding things, I am losing my mind! What can I do to get her to stop?A: This is a great question and I have a lot of material to work with.My grand mother had made me the most beautiful doilies. Stair Lifts - Straight and Curved Rails There are two types of stairlift. Straight and curved. Using The Proper Wheelchair Will Make Your Everyday Life Easier If you have an injury or a health problem that restricts your mobility, you can achieve the independence you desire with a wheelchair that's just right for you. Wheelchairs are constructed for people of every size, shape, and age, and have features designed to meet the many diverse interests of users and appropriate for the various levels of assistance required. Board and Care Homes - What Are They? Board and Care homes (also known as RCFE's - Residential Care Facilities for the Elderly) are residential private homes that have been licensed by the Department of Social Services to provide services to seniors. Most accept no more than six residents, but offer a cozy, home-like setting for frail seniors. Long Term-Care; 70 Million Americans Will Be Over 65 by 2003 We will all grow old; this is a given. We will all have health issues as we grow older, this also is a given. Angels Are Reaching Out to the Elderly I am reminded time after time of the profound effect Angels have on people. Recently, I have been receiving manyemails containing examples of how the Angels are reaching through the veils to assist the elderly. What Colour was Your Great-grandmothers Hair? I've just made another Photoshop video. This one is about colour tinting (or "colorizing") an old photo. Arizona Assisted Living: Resident Rights According to the Arizona Administrative Code (R9-10-710), those who reside in assisted living facilities in Arizona have certain rights. In addition to having the right to live in an environment that promotes dignity, independence, self-determination, individuality, privacy and the right of choice, the following are a few of the rights given to residents who reside in assisted living facilities:1. Assisted Living: Tips on How to Choose a Facility It is easy to be fooled by fancy drapery or expensive furniture that may decorate a care facility. Even though a facility looks high class doesn't always mean the care provided is first class. Prepare to Make Long-term Care Choices Several months ago, I was coming out of a gas station when a woman stopped me and asked me what I did for a living. On the back of our van is our web address. If Using The Stairs Has Become A Daily Struggle, A Stair lift Could Change Your Life Using stairs is an everyday nightmare for many people. As we grow older the stairs in our home can become more of a struggle due to mobility problems associated with old age, an accident or illness.
|
| home | site map |
| © 2007 |
