Have your feelings been bruised recently by someone for whom you’re providing care? You may be taking caregiving too personally. If you’re the caring type, you want to be helpful. But what happens when you become too helpful or become too controlling of the life of another person, especially IF this person IS family? Caregivers… Continue reading 5 Ways to Maintain Balanced Emotions While Caregiving
Tag: Caregiving Resources
The Aftermath of Caregiving
About a decade ago, Melvin, a long-time family friend, died of cancer. Catherine, his wife of more than 50 years, had cared for her husband during his many treatments and declining health. After Melvin’s death, Catherine fell into a deep depression. When she was her husband’s caregiver, Catherine’s days were hectic, but after Melvin’s funeral… Continue reading The Aftermath of Caregiving
What You Need to Know When Hiring a Home Healthcare Worker
It happened in Detroit, Salt Lake City, Sarasota, Denver and many other places just this year: home healthcare workers stealing from the people they are supposed to be caring for. Sadly, it’s likely to happen again as the need for in-home care will continue to grow when the aging of America crests in 2030. Kurt Kazanowski,… Continue reading What You Need to Know When Hiring a Home Healthcare Worker
Long-Distance Caregiving: What You Need to Know
Anyone, anywhere, can be a long-distance caregiver, no matter your gender, income, age, social status, or employment. If you are living an hour or more away from a person who needs your help, you’re probably a long-distance caregiver. Long-distance caregivers take on different roles. You may: Help with finances, money management, or bill paying Arrange… Continue reading Long-Distance Caregiving: What You Need to Know
Managing Dementia Related Personality Changes
Alzheimer’s disease causes brain cells to die, so the brain works less well over time. This changes how a person acts. Here, from the National Institute on Aging, are suggestions that may help you understand and cope with changes in personality and behavior in a person with Alzheimer’s disease.
Common personality and behavior changes you may see include:
• Getting upset, worried, and angry more easily
• Acting depressed or not interested in things
• Hiding things or believing other people are hiding things
Telephone Support Helps Dementia Caregivers
Rhode Island Hospital researchers have found that a support program administered entirely by telephone can significantly reduce depression and other symptoms in informal caregivers, such as family or friends, of individuals with dementia. The study was published in July 2014 online in advance of print in the journal Alzheimer’s & Dementia.
Professional Post-Stroke Care From Head to Toe
By Marki Flannery
At the end of nurse Lorraine Williams’ recent home care visit to Professor Samuel Kaplan, he walked her to the apartment’s front door. “I was so surprised,” she marvels. Only a year earlier, the 70-something professor had a stroke and couldn’t walk.
Long-Term Care Must Be Improved
As millions of Americans struggle to help loved ones with dementia, policymakers should consider more ways to improve long-term services and supports for the soaring numbers of people with the debilitating condition and their caregivers, according to a new RAND Corporation study done in June 2014. Thereport also offers possible ways to achieve those goals.
Synching Info Between Homes & Hospitals
Researchers at the University of Missouri in Columbia are working to develop an in-home health monitoring and alert system that streams patients’ individualized health information between homes and hospitals. The system’s ability to provide comprehensive health information could lead to better care for patients as well as reduced costs for individuals and health systems.
Early Palliative Support Helps Cancer Caregivers
Dartmouth researchers have found that those caring for patients with advanced cancer experienced reduced depression and felt less burdened by caregiving tasks when palliative support services were offered soon after the patient’s diagnosis. The team presented the findings at the American Society of Clinical Oncologist (ASCO) annual meeting in Chicago on June 3rd 2014.
How to Avoid Financial Ruin as a Caregiver
By Hilary Young
A shrinking middle class, medical expenses at an all-time high and a caregiver shortage: it’s the perfect cocktail for financial ruin. And now a new study from researchers with the Faculty of Social Work at the University of Calgary in Alberta, Canada has found that women in particular are more susceptible to going bankrupt when caring for an elderly parent.
Aging in Place: The “Granny Pods” Trend
By Hilary Young
According to the American Association of Retired Persons, over 80 percent of adults now intend to age in place. Nursing homes are no longer the norm. Many seniors prefer to stay active and remain independent for as long as possible. One major trend that is helping to make this wish come true is the proliferation of transitional housing options, otherwise known as “Granny Pods.”
Adult Day Care A Boon for Caregivers
Family caregivers show an increase in the beneficial stress hormone DHEA-S on days when they use an adult day care service for their relatives with dementia, according to researchers at Penn State and the University of Texas at Austin. A release from Penn explains that DHEA-S controls the harmful effects of cortisol and is associated with better long-term health.
Peace of Mind for Long-Distance Caregivers
By Marki Flannery
Every Sunday, Donna placed a call from her home in Washington D.C. to her Aunt Catherine, to check up on her. At age 87, Catherine lived alone in her longtime Lower Manhattan apartment and, except for an attack of angina a couple years ago, was in relatively good health.
Donna asked, as she usually did, about her aunt's weekend and was heartened to hear she had gotten out with friends. "My neighbor's daughter took us to the Metropolitan Museum," Catherine said, sounding uplifted.