Tag Archives: caring

Spring Brings A Fresh Perspective

Spring Brings a Fresh Perspective

Adams’ Acres Awakens to Spring

Spring is my favorite season, a reminder of God’s everlasting care for His creation (that includes you and me!)

“In the beginning, God created the heaven and earth. ” Genesis 1:1 Click here for more verses about God’s creation.

It’s a happy time. Birds appear from nowhere to build nests; butterflies search for the tiniest flowers. Animals attack new blades of tender grass as we would a plate of chocolates.

And yet, too often our present pain can overshadow the splendor of spring.

I recall a spring day when I unloaded my heavy heart. “Little Robin, I’m almost mad at you for being so happy! Can’t you see my heart is breaking as you strut proudly singing? Some would say you’re here to cheer me up. Well, sorry little birdie, it’s not working!”

Feeling overwhelmed as a woman, mother, caregiver, or friend, is inevitable.

As Mother lay in a hospital, I wondered if each day would be her last. Her window opened to beautiful, flower-laden lawns filled with cheerful little robins. My feelings stormed inside; I wanted to chase the birds away, to cry, to scream, to do something to let the world know my heart was breaking.

Yet it was that very image that gave me hope.

From childhood to now, my fondest memories of Mother included nature. Thoughts of our rejoicing in God’s creation refreshed my weary soul. As I pondered the joys we had on our many spring excursions, I felt a sense of peace. Mother relished every moment outside in the spring. “Smell the air” she would say. “Look at the colors! Susie, never lose sight of what God has given us!”

“Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, neither has entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.” 1 Corinthians 2:9

Bringing spring to those who cannot get outside.

Recently, it seemed I had walked into a spring garden instead of a care facility. Every room was filled with colorful flower cutouts.  Bright ribbons adorned pictures and bows accented the lamps. I was told they celebrate each month with all the vigor they can muster. “Not one of us, after all, is promised a tomorrow! We simply must do all we can do today to celebrate the goodness of God.” Wow! That profound comment was food for thought!

I recall holidays when we were caring for Mother. We hurriedly put out an appropriate card and flower of some sort as holidays came and went and seasons changed. I may have even decorated a cupcake or two. But, to celebrate each day like this? No, not at all.

Who needs a touch of God’s goodness this spring?

We have much to celebrate, not the least of which is A Risen Savior! How better to spread the Good News of New Life than to splash color around in the room occupied by the home-bound? Give them and your family something new to gaze upon. Add life and interest to your home.

Celebrate family! Celebrate life! Make every day a holiday; celebrate the gift of life!

I pray for you, dear friend, that you find rest when you are weary. I pray you find resources to meet your needs and those in your care. I pray you find the courage and hope for the days ahead.

Most of all, I pray that you know the Savior that rose from the grave that day and offered His free gift of Eternal Life and Hope to all who would receive it. Blessings and hugs to each of you.

Thanks for your comments; and your prayers.

4 Vital Steps in Caring for Others

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4 Vital Steps in Caring for OthersEach day provides opportunity for error regardless of your situation.

Whether you are dealing with a short-term medical issue, a lengthy illness or care of the elderly, you may face seemingly endless moving the patient from home to the hospital, to an extended care facility and hopefully back home. Each move provides opportunity for error as patients are placed into a strange environment with people tending to them who are not familiar with their situation.

Here are several suggestions to make each transition easier on you as caregiver as well as for the patient. Quite often it is the simple, routine things unattended that cause major interruptions in care.

1. Keep a list of current medications and have them available to attendants as needed. Also, be sure to check this list against their list to make sure all of the medicines were transferred properly from one place to another. This is so very, very important and takes little time on your part.

2. Get to know the team even if the stay is to be brief. I continue to be amazed at the noticeable difference in care when I take time to learn the attendant’s name and treat each with respect. Most are there because they love people and want to provide adequate care for each patient. Too often they work under difficult conditions and long hours. A friendly encounter can be a breath of fresh air to a weary soul.

3. Keep the primary physician and others attending informed of all changes in behavior, eating habits, and reactions to foods or medicines. (I did not communicate well with Mother’s physician when she began not to talk. I thought it was just her stubborn will. Was it, or was something else going on that he may have been able to help?)

4. When making even minor decisions, consider the patient — make them according to their needs and preferences and not yours alone. Look around the room before you leave, do you need to tidy up the nightstand or close the blinds. Sounds trivial, doesn’t it? Would it be if you were flat on your back and couldn’t do anything all night and day but worry about the irritation, whatever it might be?

I’m thankful for each hospital and health care facility and the many dedicated people who work in them. Generally they proved to be a safe haven for Mother, a place for her to get good care, as well as a place for me to get a much-needed rest from the daily responsibilities of decision making. However, I soon found it was not a time to sit idly by and entrust her care entirely to others.

You have to be an advocate for

A nurse told me early on, “you have to be an advocate for your mother. You must check and recheck and let people know when things are not right.” I was tired and hurt and scared. I didn’t want to be a strong patient advocate any more; I wanted Mommy to hold me and tell me it was going to be okay.

Often I found comfort and encouragement in God’s Word, I trust you will, too. “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything; tell God your needs and don’t forget to thank him for his answers. If you do this you will experience God’s peace … “ Philippians 4:6-7

Hugs,

Thoughts gleaned from my book, MY MOTHER MY CHILD. Click here to learn more.

Also available as e-book, click here: MY MOTHER MY CHILD Kindle Edition

Controlling the Temperature for All the Family

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Controlling the Temperature for All the FamilyAre you ready to turn the heat on? How about the rest of the family?

The elderly are often cold, even in summer as the air conditioner or fans blow on them. With winter around the corner, they face another challenge. So does the caregiver who is probably kept busy most of the time and ready to cool the place down. Elderly or infirm, on the other hand, are most likely looking forward to finally having some heat.

How do you manage to keep your family comfortable without beginning a war?

Start by considering your own thermostat; yes, your own. That may seem self-centered at the very least, but it is important as you have a direct effect on the temperature control for everyone in the home: it’s not about you!

Are you constantly adjusting the controls because you are too hot or too cold? Do you grab a wrap when chilly, or up the thermostat? Then, you get too hot and yank off that wrap, turn down the heat, and wonder why no one else understands it’s just too hot in the house!

You do not have to simply skim through another season; take time to think first!

I have a suggestion for you; grab a cup of coffee, put your feet up (you CAN take a few minutes to do this), and let’s look at four helps for you and your family or one you care for.

1. With notepad in hand, answer the above questions for yourself personally. DO you fit in one or more of those categories? Especially consider when you adjust the temperature; is it as you are busy doing your work? Is it when you are in a certain room?
2. Consider those in your care. Is there an elderly person who cannot get up and care for themselves? Do you have ample wraps near them? Are they clean, soft, and ready for use—not too heavy for them to handle?
3. If you are caring for someone who is confined to one particular area, have you sat there for a period of time? Do you know if there is a draft around them? Are they sitting where they can feel the heat when it’s turned up?
4. Have you considered small space heaters (or fans) for some areas? This requires a lot of planning to be absolutely sure it is a wise move. Additional appliances of any type bring with them their own set of cautions.

Before making any serious adjustments in your family; make sure overall health of each individual is considered. Do not overlook the fact that your medical personnel may be able to help solve this issue (i.e. medicines often play a role in our body temps.)

Praying for you to have a Fantastic Fall and Wonderful Winter as you care not only for those entrusted to you but also care for yourself!

Hugs,

If you are working with dementia/Alzheimer’s patients, you may find this article helpful: http://www.susiekinslowadams.com/2014/07/04/5-tips-on-communicating-with-dementiaalzheimers-patients/