family caregivers Archives

Family Caregivers Prepare for Unexpected Emergencies

Posted on March 7, 2016 by adminMarch 16, 2016

Family caregivers must prepare for unexpected emergencies. Is your family prepared?

If unexpected emergencies occur while you are away from home; a caregiver or family member may have to make decisions quickly concerning your loved one. After being unable to reach you, and calling 911, what will happen next? If the patient is unable to communicate due to dementia or Alzheimer’s or other issues, how will others know vital information?

If you are not immediately available, who will have needed information?

Where will the client be taken? Does the one in charge know her physician’s name? Her medicines? Her allergies? Where to find you?

While caring for Mother, agencies would often send caregivers in who did not know us. Even family and friends who helped may not have automatically known the answers to the above questions. Most would not know her full name or her physician’s name.

One simple card solves a multitude of problems.

Early in Mother’s care, I neatly printed her personal information on a small card to be given to ambulance or emergency room personnel or others caring for Mother. Perhaps I went overboard, but I taped copies of the card to the wall in every room in the house including bathrooms and kitchen. A larger, more prominent copy was posted in her room and by the front door.

Here are what I believe to be important items to include on such a card:

• The person’s legal name
• Address where person lives
• Relationship and names of others living in the home
• The person’s birth date
• Physician’s name
• Hospital of choice
• List of all medicines & supplements
• List of any known allergies
• Abilities or disabilities

For our situation, I also listed our vehicles and license plates as well as where I thought we might be found during the day. This was to help in case a patrolman needed to find us in the event the phones didn’t work.

I realize these types of lists depend upon the patient, the circumstances, the area you live in, and other factors. For me, this list gave me great peace of mind and was actually helpful to me on those several occasions when we had to call an ambulance to take Mother to the hospital.

We all care for others in one way or another.

Why not look at your family and consider a list like this for each of them? Maybe in the glove compartment of your car and by your telephone, and be prepared in the event of an emergency.

Hugs,

Snowed In, Worn Out, Winning Over Stress

Posted on March 3, 2015 by adminOctober 25, 2016

The entire world seems snowed in and stressed out. Winter at its best takes a toll on family caregivers and homemakers as we strive to keep our families healthy and happy.

It is said, when life gives you lemons, make lemonade. Does it follow that when life gives you snow, make snow ice cream? Well, we are not making snow ice cream today; but I do want to challenge you to change your mindset in that direction. Here is how my morning went today; perhaps it will be an encouragement to you.

Between snow and ice covered ground, and weeks of the “stuff” that’s going around, I am hungering to be outside; to put my feet on solid ground, to smell fresh, dry air. Today it’s warmer; the weatherman promises our snow should all be gone by tonight. Before I even rejoiced, he continued, “tomorrow brace yourself for another cold front. We will have snow, sleet, and ice by nightfall, perhaps six inches or more.”

And my short-lived joy plummets. I cannot bear another snowed in day; my burdens are too heavy, my responsibilities too great. How can we care for others, keep a household going, and endure these winters. Now, I know some of you are buried under feet of snow and wonder why I’m complaining. Sometimes a tiny cloud can be the straw that broke the camel’s back.

Determined stress will not win today; I close my eyes, sit up straight, breathe in through my nose to the count of five, stretching taller as I inhale. Counting slowly, I exhale to the count of ten. Relax. Repeat.

Regardless of how stressed or stretched you are, join me for this short exercise. First, sit up straight and breathe deeply as I did above. Now, hold your arms out to the side; count them. Yes, there are two! Now move your fingers and count: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 on one hand; 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10. Thanks, Lord, for ten wiggling fingers! Relax

Sit comfortably in a chair. With legs stretched out in front of you, count … one leg, two legs. Thank you, Lord. One foot, two feet, thank you, Lord. 1, 2 3 … 10 little toes. Wow! Thank you Lord.
I can see the snow; thank you Lord for eyes to see the snow. Thank you Lord for ears to hear the birds singing.

Today, I will wrap my arms around my loved ones, those in my care and I will find more ways to rejoice. I will spend my time praying for the many who are in worse conditions than I.

Let’s vow to “make snow ice cream” again tomorrow when it comes down again.

Please let me hear from you; how are you weathering winter?

Hugs,

The photo is Kitty doing her stretches! Actually, I think she was begging to come inside. Who do you know that needs my newsletter? Have them sign up in the box at the top right hand of this page.

Lift Chair Options for Family Caregivers

Posted on January 10, 2015 by adminOctober 26, 2016

Physician’s order for a lift chair.

Mother’s 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 her was not good for her or for us. I was sure this would be an easy answer to a difficult situation.

How a simple order became complicated.
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.

Solution: 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.

Who will pay for this equipment?

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,