By | Published: February 9, 2011
This is one of the tougher questions family members may face as their loved one ages. It’s an especially difficult topic because no one likes to admit that they are no longer able to do something that they were once proficient at, and this particular ability represents freedom and independence—privileges that most of us are
By | Published: January 13, 2011
Just when I got used to writing 2010 on my correspondence, here it is 2011! In addition to making resolutions, the start of a new year is a great time to clean up, get organized and re-assess how to make life easier–especially if you are a caregiver. Here are some suggestions of simple, no-nonsense things you can do to make the winter months safe and enjoyable for you and those you love. Now that you’ve packed away the holiday decorations, take a look around your home and see if you need to address any safety hazards, such as clearing hallways and stairs of clutter, or removing area rugs that tend to slip and slide
By | Published: December 22, 2010
Assisting loved ones who want to visit family members during the holidays, or attend special events such as graduations or weddings, can be especially challenging for caregivers. Determining if your loved one is physically capable of traveling, and if so, what kinds of travel accommodations are necessary, absolutely must begin with a visit to his or her physician’s office. Once the doctor gives the green light, consider the following tips for a safe and comfortable trip: Call health insurance providers to find out what procedures to follow if medical services are needed
Posted in Geriatric Care | Also tagged a-safe-and, absolutely-must, airline, caregiving tips, following, following-tips, gives-the-green, health-insurance, holiday caregiving tips, holidays, physician, portable-oxygen, route, seasonal
By | Published: November 24, 2010
The holidays are officially at hand! And we know the season can be especially stressful for caregivers who are pulled in even more directions than usual. Trying to make the season special, while keeping up with all the traditions that are important can be overwhelming. Determining what is the most important to you, you family and the person you are caring for, however, is the first step in relieving some of the extra stress brought on by the holiday season
By melissa | Published: October 25, 2010
Written by Gayle Stevens, VITAS Innovative Hospice Care ® of Palm Beach County The diagnosis of a terminal illness brings with it a host of questions, fears and concerns: “Will I be able to handle the pain?” “Can I stay at home?” “How will my family care for me?” “How can I afford quality end-of-life care?” When medical treatments cannot cure a disease, it might be time to consider hospice care. Hospice focuses on enhancing a patient’s comfort and overall quality of life during the last months of life. By treating symptoms and providing pain management, hospice can make the dying process more meaningful for patients and their loved ones
Posted in Home Health Care | Also tagged beach, care-during, compassionate, during-the-most, family, home, hospice, important-moments, medicare medicaid, social workers, the-most
By melissa | Published: August 30, 2010
What is the purpose of Advance Care Planning? I have been taught to view the goal as helping patients define what they would want done if they became seriously ill. But there is an important article by Rebecca Sudore and Terri Fried that convinces me I should think about this very differently
Posted in Geriatric Care | Also tagged a-must-read, advance-care, and-preferences, become-disabled, best, change-as-their, circumstances, health, make-the-best, view-the-goal, with-disability
By melissa | Published: July 27, 2010
As a caregiver, provide a sense of control to your loved one with dementia.
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