Category Archives: Caregivers.com

Tips For Reducing Fall Risk

30 Monday Dec 2013

Posted by in Caregivers, Caregivers.com, Falls, Helpful Resources, Safety, Tips

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , ,

fall-riskOne of the greatest concerns for dementia patients, and the elderly in general, is risk of falling. According to the National Institutes of Health, over 1.6 million older Americans visit the ER each year due to fall-related injuries.

Having recently read a fantastic article by Gary LeBlanc, I thought it was a great time to revisit this important topic. Here are links to several articles offering tips to reduce fall risk. As Gary mentions, no matter what we do, accidents will happen; however, we can do everything in our power to make sure the odds are on our side!

LeBlanc: Risk of falling increases with dementia (12/26/13 – Hernandotoday.com)

What Steps Can You Take to Reduce Fall Risk? (6/12/13 – Caregivers.com)

Stepping On: Fall Prevention for Seniors (7/1/13 – Caregivers.com)

These articles have also been added to the Long and Winding Road Helpful Resources page for future reference.

 

 

 

Gratitude

05 Tuesday Nov 2013

Posted by in Caregivers, Caregivers.com, Helpful Resources, Inspiration, Ruminations

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

, , , , , ,

grat·i·tude noun \ˈgra-tə-ˌtüd, -ˌtyüd\
: a feeling of appreciation or thanks

In November, as Thanksgiving approaches, the word “gratitude” seems to be popping up everywhere. It’s a shame we don’t focus on our blessings as much as we should year ’round, but I’m thankful to be surrounded by reminders this month.  autumn

Even under the best circumstances, it’s easy to get caught up in the crazy pace, endless demands, and mind-numbing routines that tend to define life in the 21st century. The danger, of course, is that we become oblivious to the little miracles that surround us daily.

And Then There’s Caregiving

Let’s keep it real here – when you’re a caregiver, gratitude can be hard to come by. You’re pulled in a million directions, stressed to the max, and you often find yourself just trying to keep your head above water. You’re likely faced with some of the most difficult decisions of your life and each step forward leads you deeper into the unknown.

The days of being proactive are a distant memory – these days, reactive mode is the norm. To add insult to injury, you’re watching someone you love dearly slip further away with each passing moment.

It’s easy to see why gratitude isn’t the foremost thing on your mind…

Conscious Cultivation

autumn-leavesAs hokey as it may sound, the truth is gratitude has the power to get us through the most challenging of times if we just make a small effort.

Several months ago, I wrote an article for Caregivers.com discussing the idea of “cultivating gratitude”. It’s all about being aware of the world around us and realizing even in the seemingly mundane, there are great blessings.

November is the perfect time to give this a try. Each day this month, take just a few minutes in the morning or right before bed to jot down a couple of things you’re thankful for. There’s plenty of inspiration at every turn, and you can even join a group of 6,000 or so new friends in the KindSpring 21-Day Gratitude Challenge beginning November 7th.

Happiness is not what makes us grateful. It is gratefulness that makes us happy.  -Brother David Steindl-Rast

It’s a Journey

What do you have to lose, right? Give it a whirl and see if you don’t notice your outlook is a little brighter and you’re consciously experiencing more moments of joy.

Remember that some days, you may really have to dig deep to find just one thing you feel grateful for. It’s not always going to be a big-ticket item; in fact, most often, it will be something small.mom hands

  • Having 20 minutes to enjoy your coffee before the rest of the house wakes up.
  • A smile from the loved one you’re caring for.
  • Your warm bed on a cold night.
  • The fact that Mom ate her lunch.
  • The scent of a favorite candle.

Perspective

In hindsight, with it all said and done, I truly believe our Alzheimer’s journey taught me that the little things in life really are the big things. I’m not saying I walk around in a state of euphoria all day long (I wish!), but it’s all about perspective.

In my case, it’s an ongoing process; I have to consciously remind myself of what’s important and of my many blessings. In fact, I’m using the 21-Day Gratitude Challenge as motivation to get back into the habit of writing down the things I’m thankful for each day.

Join me in the challenge and let me know how it goes!!

 

Guide to Evaluating Residential Dementia Care

22 Thursday Aug 2013

Posted by in A Place for Mom, Caregivers, Caregivers.com, Emeritus, Finding a Facility, Helpful Resources, Mom, Pat Summitt, The Early Years, Tips

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , ,

Pat Summitt Foundation Guide

Kudos to the Pat Summitt Foundation for putting together this free 50+ page publication on evaluating long-term care options. 

Extracting my head from the sand

Long-term care decisions are among the most difficult you will ever face, and unfortunately it’s often a “baptism by fire” situation. That was certainly the case for us; my mom had been in the hospital and I’ll never forget standing in the hallway, numb, as the OT, PT, and social worker told me she couldn’t go home. Living independently was no longer an option. 

I shouldn’t have been caught off guard, but I was. Oh yes, I knew in my heart the day was coming, but I had buried my head deeply in the sand on the vast beach of denial. I didn’t know a darn thing about long-term care. Nothing.

So, with one week to find a facility and get Mom moved in, I dove in head first armed with — not much of anything. I had enlisted assistance from A Place For Mom, which helped immensely, but oh how I wish I’d had the Pat Summitt Foundation guide. This was all uncharted territory for me, and I learned as I went.

Business is business

While it would be lovely if everyone had their heart in the right place, the bottom line is – well, the bottom line. It comes down to dollars and cents, sales, and monthly numbers. All too often, the focus is on keeping the building full regardless of whether or not the facility can provide adequate care to meet the needs of potential residents.

In fact, a recent Frontline exposé on Emeritus Senior Living points out that facilities sometimes even seek out advanced dementia cases. Why? Well, those residents require a higher level of care, which equates to a higher monthly payment. And after all, it IS all about the bottom line, isn’t it? The facility may not be equipped or staffed to handle the care, but somehow that becomes secondary to filling the building. 

Asking the right questions

This is why it’s so very important to know exactly what to look for – and what to ask – when you’re evaluating options. The Summitt Foundation guide is divided into five chapters:

  • Dementia care options and services
  • Publicly available information about quality of care
  • Who to interview and what to ask
  • The value of observation
  • Strategies for being the best advocate you can be + list of additional resources

In addition, the e-booklet provides valuable interview guides specific to staffing, satisfaction surveys, chronic pain screening, and food service, as well as a worksheet for documenting observations. These comprehensive tools also include scoring guides and rationale to help you quantify your findings.

Eyes wide open

My nuggets of advice for families embarking on this journey:

  • Don’t wait until the last minute; start early so you’re somewhat prepared when the time comes.
  • Ask tons of questions and observe, observe, observe while you’re in the building.
  • Make unannounced visits at various times of the day/evening.
  • Talk to current residents and family members.
  • Listen to your gut – it will rarely lead you astray. If your instincts tell you something doesn’t feel right, trust yourself.
  • Download How to Evaluate the Quality of Residential Care for Persons With Dementia, by Sandra F. Simmons, Ph.D., John F. Schnelle, Ph.D., and Anna N. Rahman, Ph.D., and put it to good use!