Tag Archives: caregiver

Caregiver goes Furniture Shopping Lift Chair Options

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The physician wrote an order for a lift chair and we quickly headed for a local medical equipment store. It had been some time since Mother could get out of her chair by herself and the tugging and lifting was hard on her and on us. I was sure this would be an easy answer to a difficult situation.

The chair we chose was perfect—right color, right size for the space, and right price. She was a giggly girl as she sat down and tried to get comfortable in her new chair. Her short, stubby frame was perched on the edge of the cushion and her legs dangled not touching the floor. I helped her scoot back into the chair and raised the foot rest only to watch the back automatically recline as the foot rest came up.

She was not happy! I was not happy! I had hoped this purchase would not only help her get up and down easily, but also enable her to keep her legs elevated. Obviously, I had more shopping to do, much to learn, and many more chairs to try.

Consider four types of chairs from my “Lift Chair 101 Class” before you shop.

  1. Determine if your need is only to raise the legs while in a sitting position (and not necessarily fully recline). A Two Position Lift Chair is most economical for those just needing help getting up.
  2. A Three Position Lift Chair adds a recline position although not a full recline. Again, this chair fits a modest budget and is usually available in many colors and fabrics.
  3. Most manufacturers list an Infinite Position Lift Chair which is the most versatile of all. This chair elevates the feet above the heart and has separate controls for the foot rest and the back; it will recline fully. Naturally with more choices comes a bigger price tag.
  4. There are now available Heavy Duty Lift Chairs for those with weights of 350# up to 700# and those who are taller than average.

Medicare may pay for the lift mechanism (usually $250 – $300) only if they have not paid on a manual or power wheelchair. You will want to check Medicare guidelines in your state.

In my next newsletter, I will offer eight specific things you need to know before you shop for a lift chair. I will also tell you the specific solution to Mother’s dilemma and why we made that choice for her.

Hugs,

P.S.  Click the button at the upper right corner of my website at www.susiekinslowadams.com and sign up for the newsletter; it will be helpful to you.  I welcome your comments and questions. Have a blessed week.

Lessons from deer turkey and the Great Caregiver

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The twins stood as statues in the yard, clearly afraid to move another step. As Momma Deer wandered over by them, they immediately relaxed and seemingly melted right into the soft, green grasses below, totally oblivious to anything around them except for a mother’s reassuring presence. Fear was replaced with confidence as they felt the comfort of a mother’s love.

Likewise, the turkeys in the cow pasture stopped as if frozen in their tracks. As the sound of a car on the roadway came closer, they turned quickly and wobbled down the hillside to safety. Secure in the shadows of thick brush, and no longer filled with fear, they gingerly resumed pecking the ground for tasty morsels.

I learn much from watching the critters outside my windows. I relate all too well to those feelings of fear and doubt that paralyze and hamper good judgment. There are new challenges every day of our lives, especially when caring for others.

Can you relate? Do you ever stand paralyzed or frozen in your tracks when facing some circumstance in your life? Maybe it isn’t even anything too great; it just seems overwhelming at the moment. Your breath is short and you can’t seem to shake that feeling of hopelessness.

We have a Comforter who is waiting to help. He is the Great Caregiver. He knows us; every hair on our head is numbered, every breath we take is by His command.

I want to encourage each reader, whatever your circumstance, to take time to lean on Him for rest.

His word in Psalm 23 reminds us that He will lead us beside still waters and restore our souls.

Again in the 29th Psalm, “ The Lord gives strength to his people; the Lord blesses his people with peace.”

Today I pray for you that you will “cast all your cares upon Him, because He cares for you.” And that you will, like the baby deer, allow yourself to melt down into the soft grasses and allow a loving Father bring you comfort and hope and peace for your journey.

Hugs,

Looking forward to hearing from you; sign up for my newsletter and free gift at the top of this page.

5 Tips to Add Time to Caregivers Day

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First, let me say the obvious, there is no more time. We have twenty four hours in each day, no more and no less. Therefore, what we do in that time may need evaluating.

What takes up your day? Do you often miss appointments and have to reschedule them? How much time is spent searching for some needed item? Do you simply reshuffle unending stacks of papers?

Are you absolutely overwhelmed and far too busy to organize? After you care for your loved one, your family, and yourself, there is neither time nor energy left for any project.

I have a simple solution for you and you can do it. Carefully read through the following helps and choose one item you will work on-just one! Try this for a week and I promise you will feel less stressed and more productive.

1. Declutter. Start small; do not take on an entire room! Each day choose one table or one drawer to clean out. Be sure to have a trash bag handy and use it! Bonus: by doing only one area at a time, you can return items to their proper place as you sort. Do you hear that? Do not make another stack somewhere!

2. Calendar Everything. Everything. Hang a very large calendar in a highly visible area, preferably near a telephone. Thumbtack a string to the wall with a pencil attached. We all know that pencils have a mind of their own and walk off when you aren’t looking.

3. Keep a to-do list. Each night make a list for the next day. Very important: keep this list short and do-able. There will be unavoidable interruptions—it’s the law of the land—allow for them as you make your list.

4. Do it now. As much as possible, tend to menial tasks immediately. Mail is a good example; it accumulates quickly while you are busy caring for others. Set aside five or ten minutes each day to deal with the mail (with our faithful trash sack handy).

5. Identify your personal time-robbers. In looking at my own schedule and applying these tips, I discovered the appeal of a new sales flyer or magazine kept me mesmerized for way too long. What to do? If I lay them aside for later I add to my “stacks of stuff”. I am learning to choose–you know this one–my faithful trash sack!

Trusting you enjoy all God’s blessings as you learn to wisely use the precious time He has given each of us.

Hugs,

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