Name: Dianne Doyle
Location: Scottsdale, Arizona
Date: 11/05/2008
Time: 12:57 PM
Comments
One of the challenges of feeding my father, who is on
hospice and unable to feed himself, was to keep the food warm. The baby dishes
of decades ago that you could fill with hot water have long since been
discontinued. So I came up with the idea of putting a bean bag (ours is filled
with popcorn) and heating it for 2.5 minutes and putting it on a plate, and then
putting the dish with his dinner on it ON TOP OF the bean bag. Voila! It kept
the meal hot the whole time it took to feed him (often 40-60 minutes) and I
wasn't cooking it to death by reheating it a half dozen times during the course
of the meal. And when I need a bowl kept hot, like for soups, I put the bean bag
in a big soup bowl, and then wedge the smaller bowl down in the cavity, and it
keeps the sides warm too. I'm so grateful you have put this website here;
caregivers are a creative lot, and I just KNOW other people have come up with
innovative solutions to common caregiving problems. I can't wait to read them
all!!!
Name: Ines
Location: Kings Park, NY
Date: 11/06/2008
Time: 08:13 AM
Comments
While driving my mom, who has moderate dementia to her
day program, I "quiz" her on spelling and math problems (simple addition and
multiplication). She was an apt student in school and can still do these tasks.
It keeps her mind active and thinking and she tells me she likes the challenges.
Name:
Location:
Date: 11/13/2008
Time: 04:37 PM
Comments
I take my mother to respite care(daycare) during the day
and she doesn't want to leave me. I tell her that she is going to her job at the
senior Center to help them. since she always wants to help me around the house,
she is less likely to resist going. I tell her how much they need her help and
that she is doing a great job of helping me out too. She is still clingy, but it
has helped give her a focus other than on herself, which gives her a purpose.
They really do have her help with chores and she comes home tired, so she sleeps
better too.
Name: Ron Barth
Location: Newhall, CA.
Date: 11/14/2008
Time: 05:44 PM
Comments
My wife has dementia and is in the middle stages. She
has a difficult time eating because of the loss of many of her teeth. I have
found she really enjoys Gerber baby cereal mixed with Ensure.
Name: Sandy White
Location: Wellington, Florida
Date: 11/15/2008
Time: 04:33 PM
Comments
I'm so glad I joined several support groups and feel
sorry for those who stay away. Our support groups aren't "pity parties" but
sources of good information to what are our options in recovery, what does it
cost, how did it work, where are they located, who is the best. This is
especially important if you are on an HMO. HMOs are notoriously poor on treating
long term disability. They require their doctors to sign a gag order that the
doctor won't tell you about any option that your HMO doesn't cover. And because
an HMO is constantly making new contracts with providers, sometimes the best are
still on their approved list but not mentioned because the HMO negotiated a
lower price with a newer provider. If you find out about a more effective
therapy, call that provider's office direct and ask if they accept your HMO or
insurance. HMO Advantage ads tell you what they offer that Medicare doesn't, but
they don't tell you what they don't that Medicare will cover. And because they
are the gate keepers you can't get all your possible Medicare coverage. Don't
believe them when they tell you you have reached your "life time limit of
physical therapy under Medicare." Medicare only has yearly limits and the next
year you can get more therapy if you can still make progress with it. Support
groups can wise you up to nuances like that. And they can tell you about many
government sponsored services that are not advertised. In the scheme of things,
programs getting government funding can't use those funds for advertising
because it takes money away from direct services. If you see a god government
program, jump on it immediately because the value of that program is judged by
the number of people who found it and used it. Without advertising, many only
last one or two years, so may be gone if you delay, regardless of their quality.
Name: Sylvar
Location: Redondo Beach
Date: 11/17/2008
Time: 11:42 PM
Comments
I really love this site with all the tips and helpful
information. So here is just a quick store & tip for those with inflammation:
After some trial and error with a client's nutritional needs, I found that
Pineapple (juice but mainly fresh slices) helped with his ocular neuritis and
migraines because of the Bromelain in pineapples, it reduces inflammation.
Within minutes of eating the fruit I prepared for him, his pain in his eye was
gone and he said he was seeing better. Bromelain works to reduce all types of
inflammation, from a cut on a finger to chronic migraines. I just thought this
was a good tip since most people love pineapple and so many suffer from
debilitating conditions that Bromelain helps.
Name: Steve
Location: Brownsville,In
Date: 11/18/2008
Time: 03:41 PM
Comments
My dad has Alzheimer's. I have added lighted light
switches & nite lights to help him at night. Also put name tags in the bathroom
for his items.
Name: Jane
Location: Kansas City
Date: 11/19/2008
Time: 02:44 PM
Comments
When my husband broke a bone in his foot, he needed a
wheelchair for long distances because he was not supposed to put weight on the
broken bone. Like a super-caregiver, I rented a wheelchair and dutifully hauled
it in and out of the car each time he needed it. After 4 days of this, my back
hurt so much that I couldn't think straight! It dawned on me that most places we
go have wheelchairs at their doors and that didn't involve my lifting it in and
out of the trunk of our car! So I returned my rental wheelchair and started
using the available wheelchair at the mall or the doctor's office building, etc.
It has saved my back often!
Name: Jackie
Location: South Carolina
Date: 11/20/2008
Time: 03:34 PM
Comments
Most of the behavior problems my mother had were related
to prolonged use of certain medications and food allergies. While under the care
of a physician, she was taken off two of the medications that she had been on
for over 30 years. She got much better almost right away, but later started
declining again. Then I found NAET, which is a natural allergy elimination
treatment and she responded so well. Within a day of her first treatment, she
began to lose many of the behaviors that had plagued us both. Her hearing
improved and her balance as well. You can check out NAET.com for more
information. Allergies, especially severe allergies, can affect behavior in
anyone. Hope others find the help she did. I have used NAET as well. It didn't
happen overnight, but I recovered from chronic fatigue, and found myself less
easily irritated.
Name: Kathy
Location: Dallas
Date: 11/21/2008
Time: 02:23 PM
Comments
My mom is in the moderate to advanced stage of
Alzheimer's and her cleanliness habits have declined. I realized that she was
unable to search for personal grooming items. So I've arranged her bathroom so
that what she needs is easily visible. Her washcloths are rolled up and placed
in a basket on the counter. She has a full pitcher and a glass to encourage her
to drink. The extra rolls of toilet paper are right in a stand right next to the
toilet. Before I found a nice looking one, I stuck a plumbers helper to the
floor and dropped rolls of toilet paper over the handle. I have started buying
soap that is brightly colored (not white) so that is is easy to see against the
white sink and countertop. Same with all the towels - bright reds and purple are
much easier for her to find hanging against the pale wall. Even her toilet seat
is dark green so that it stands out when she enters the bathroom. I've outlined
the wall switch with colored tape and a label that says LIGHT. Believe it or
not, these little things help.
Name: Maryan Daily
Location: Dallas, Pa.
Date: 12/05/2008
Time: 09:57 AM
Comments
I am fortunate to run an Alzheimer's Support Group. It's
a great learning experience, plus making new friends. The greatest tip I can
give is to educate all caregivers to seek out a support group. It is important
in so many ways; you get a few hours of necessary respite, education and tips in
your field, and the friendship you need, phone numbers so that you have a
compassionate ear between meetings. If you find that your trip to the bathroom
is the only peace you get during the day, it is time to seek help - friends from
church, aids, relatives, and of course, the support groups. My husband had
Alzheimer's for years, so my knowledge is concentrated in that field. Two clever
tips: during the middle stages, run a string of Christmas lights along the
hallway that lead to the bathroom and then label the door with a picture of a
toilet. #2 Place a black rug in front of any door that would lead to steps or
outside. In the later stages the patient thinks this is a hole and will not walk
over the area. I've learned so much NOW, and regret that I did not have a group
to attend while caring for my dear husband. When you are at your wits end,
remember that deep down inside your loved one is still in there, touch him/her
and tell them you still love them. May God bless all you caregivers!
Name: Dianne Doyle
Location: Scottsdale, Arizona
Date: 01/02/2009
Time: 08:00 AM
Comments
My father has been on hospice care for just over 3
years. (He's trying to set a record with them, I think!) Part of his disease has
been a contraction of the inner thigh muscles, resulting in his legs always
being crossed at the ankles, and when he sleeps (unmoving, because he cannot
move himself) in that position for 10-12 hours, he wakes with TERRIBLE knee and
hip pain, much like as if they were out of socket. The pain meds he was on for
this were staggeringly high. One day my nearly 90 year old mother suggested I
put a boot on him, using a seat cushion held over his ankle with an Ace bandage
holding the sides up but not tight. So I put a thin seat cushion (you know the
type, just a piece of foam covered by a piece of cloth) over his ankle and
lightly wrapped an Ace bandage around the seat cushion just to hold it closed at
the top. The end result was that his legs didn't cross at the ankle at night,
and his knee and hip didn't get locked into that position during the night, and
the best thing of all was that he HAD NOT MORE PAIN!!! We found it had to be
down over his ankle, because otherwise he would maneuver his foot to hook onto
the other foot. But with the cushion over his ankle, it became too cumbersome
for him to lift, and so he left it lying on the bed UNCROSSED all night, and
woke to NO PAIN. I told Mom she gets the Nobel prize from me!!! And the proof is
that Dad has needed NO pain meds for 4 days (since we discovered this worked).
We take the "boot" off every morning and replace it with a small cushion between
his legs to keep them from crossing during the day, while allowing his otherwise
"booted" ankle to roam free. It has worked miracles for us.....hope it might
help someone facing a similar problem.
Name: Louise Gogel
Location: Manchester, VT
Date: 01/04/2009
Time: 09:58 AM
Comments
One day, when I was tired of explaining over and over
every day to my mom ways to position herself to be able to sit safely on the
toilet, I had an brilliant idea that is helping us both. As my mom was sitting
there on the loo I outlined the bathroom floor around her feet with red duct
tape. Against the white tiles it stands out beautifully and has helped be a
guide so that now I only have to say: get your feet into the red marks before
you sit.
Name: Bob
Location: Michigan
Date: 01/05/2009
Time: 02:26 AM
Comments
Mom at 92, almost stopped eating anything solid. I often
referred to it as Anorexia. She simply had no appetite. When she did eat, she
would have surprise bowel movements that on occasion wouldn't make it to the
bathroom. The doctor's answer was to do an endoscopy, Mom didn't want anything
to do with it. So as "The Good son" I tackled one problem at a time. First the
not eating. She complained that certain foods upset her stomach, well I found it
was ALL FOODS. Found that an acid reducer, once a day, brought her appetite
back. Seems the elderly keep producing acid they don't need. Mom's doctor put
her on Nexium instead of acid reducers and seems to be working well. Now the
surprise trips to the bathroom. One of the hired care givers pointed out that
the elderly often have food blockage in the lower track. The blockage sits there
and keeps future meals from passing easily. Answer: one stool softener per day
available over the counter. Mom has been eating well and even gaining some
weight. Hope this helps...Mom is now 95 and back up to her usual weight. Be sure
to consult with the doctor, I did and she was agreeable to doing what I found
Works!
Name: Beverly Monigal
Location: Madison
Date: 01/06/2009
Time: 11:49 AM
Comments
Post on the refrigerator or visible place, a sheet of
paper listing of the person's name, main contact, Dr.'s name, major medications,
and other items (use of cane, glasses) so that if (or when) emergency personnel
come to the home, that sheet can be used by the personnel rather than have to
ask the person having the emergency.
Name: Joyce, Joliet IL
Location:
Date: 01/08/2009
Time: 08:00 AM
Comments
I seem to have no tips or ideas as my husband is still
stubbornly and independently resistant to my ideas how to make things better for
him and me too. But I did want to say, however, that your idea, Beverly, from
Madison, about posting all that important info on the fridge is a GREAT one.
Name: Jira Perez
Location: Phillippines
Date: 01/11/2009
Time: 11:00 AM
Comments
I walked into Mom’s house and saw an elderly woman and I
saw in her eyes she needed my help because she could not breathe clearly.
I just gave her a little massage at her back for a while. It kept her mind
active and breathing good.
Name: Bill
Location: West Midlands
Date: 01/13/2009
Time: 03:53 PM
Comments
My wife always complained that I gave her too much food
on her plate even though it was a very small portion, and it was suggested to me
that I keep the food away from the outer sloping edges of the plate and flatten
the food more instead of putting it in small piles. IT WORKED, no more moaning.
Name: Lynn Ewald
Location: Gasport, NY
Date: 01/17/2009
Time: 09:00 AM
Comments
When my daughter was diagnosed with ALL- Leukemia on
1/2/08 at the age of 7 I thought my world and life was over. I have had a whole
year of chemo visits, spinal taps, blood transfusions and so much more. I am
thankful that she has a curable disease and I only take it "one" day at a time.
I try to pull the positive from the negative and it gives me strength, hope &
wisdom. I am glad I am able to take care of my Shelby. She is in 2nd grade. She
has a caringbridge website@ www.caringbridge.org/visit/shelbyewald if anyone
wants to post a message to her.
Name: Linda
Location: Monrovia, CA
Date: 01/28/2009
Time: 10:47 PM
Comments
As my husband's MS progresses, he's finding it more
difficult to eat without dropping food on himself. We love to eat out, and I
wanted to find something that would a) work and b) look decent in public. After
seeing the prices for those adult bibs - and knowing I'd never find time to buy
fabric and sew one - I bought a black chef's apron at a discount department
store. I cut the bottom off just enough for it to cover his lap without going
over his knees. It has a D-ring neck strap, so I can quickly and easily adjust
it to sit up high near his chin. It certainly draws less attention than those
adult bibs would have!
Name: Linda
Location: Monrovia CA
Date: 01/28/2009
Time: 10:52 PM
Comments
I pushed my husband in a manual wheelchair for years
before we got a power chair. It killed my wrists and basal thumb joints! Then I
discovered Bar Tenders. They clamp to the handles of the wheelchair and create
horizontal pushing bars, more like a baby carriage. SO much more ergonomic! I
wish I'd found them sooner. Do a search for bar tenders +wheelchair to find
them.
Name: Kate
Location: Ballston Spa NY
Date: 01/29/2009
Time: 10:06 AM
Comments
My sister had ALS and had pretty much lost her ability
to speak. Although she also had difficulty moving her hands, she could still
press down with her finger. It was really frustrating when I was in another part
of the house to hear her when she wanted something. We solved the problem by
getting a battery operated doorbell. I put the ringer in her lap with her hand
over it where she could reach it and kept the chime box with me. Even if I was
in the basement family room I could easily hear when she needed me. It made her
more comfortable to know I was never out of touch. I could even take a nap
without worrying I wouldn't hear her call. I used it at night too.
Name: Jane Jordan
Location: Savannah, Georgia
Date: 02/05/2009
Time: 09:20 AM
Comments
My Dad has Parkinson's. We've been taking care of him
for 5 years. He lives next door to us and wants to continue to live alone. My
Mom died 16 years ago. But we were worried he couldn't get us on the phone if he
needed us as his dexterity is not what it used to be. He has to be "put to bed"
so after we do that, we set up his "light and phone". I velcroed his small
flashlight to the bar on his hospital bed so it's always in his reach. And, in
case he drops it, it also has a string on it that will not let it fall to the
floor and most times he can recover it. For the phone, I taped a large cotton
ball over the "Redial" button on the phone. Anytime I'm over at his house and
start to leave, I dial my phone number into his phone, let it ring once, and
hang up. That way if he needs me, he has only to pick up the receiver and press
the cotton ball. As he can't move/position himself much at night, pressure
points were a worry. He sleeps with 10 small pillow. I bought 5 sets of pillow
cases. That way each night I know to rotate the pillow - by color and matches.
He has two around his shoulder area, one on each elbow, one around each hip, one
under or near each knee, and one under each ankle with his heel suspended. The
next night the top pillow (shoulder) is moved to elbow, and the bottom (ankle)
is moved to top (shoulder). You would not believe the difference this has made
and he feels SO pampered. We simply buy Dollar Store pillows and toss them when
needed - same with the pillow cases.
Name: Ve O'Brien
Location: Del Mar, California
Date: 06/02/2009
Time: 08:13 AM
Comments
My clients experience dementia and wake up anxious and
confused as to what day it is and what appts. they may have. I have created a
simple powerpoint page (you can handwrite, color, type, whatever suits your
situation) which reads something like this: "Good Morning Mary today is Tuesday
June 2, 2009. Your appointments for today are: " and then I list the doctor
visits, hospice nurse visit, son-in-law coming to visit, etc. My clients love
this as it is personalized and set by their bedside so that when they awake they
see that 8-1/2 x 11" paper, pick it up and read it and know that everything is
ok and I'm there for them.
Name: Pat
Location: Erie PA
Date: 06/02/2009
Time: 11:52 AM
Comments
My spouse had a stroke and was discharged from hospital
to nursing home. At the time I filled out state resources form even though he
was not staying in the home. Well here we are 3 years later and caregiver costs
have eaten away at our savings and Wallstreet has decreased it further and I'm
worried about what I will live on. I found out that by having filled out that
form when our assets were much higher that if he went to a nursing home now I
would be protected. Obviously the amount of income varies due to a calculation
etc and a lawyer can answer the questions per your state and situation. It is
just that at the time of stress we caregivers don't always know what to do. I
remember receiving the packet and thinking I don't need to worry about this now
but decided to do it. I am so happy now that I did. I am 15 years younger than
my spouse and I would be in big trouble if I had to pay for a nursing home now.
I have no income until I reach SS age and qualify for my pension. When the
market was making $ it didn't seem like an issue. Now, however, it is a big
issue. BE PREPARED...DO ALL YOU CAN...ASK FOR HELP...A LAWYER WHO SPECIALIZES IS
WORTH THE HOUR FEE IN THE LONG RUN. I STRESSED ABOUT THIS SO MUCH AND I SHOULD
HAVE HAD PROFESSIONAL FINANCIAL HELP TOO. DON'T BE AFRAID TO ADMIT YOU CAN'T DO
IT ALL. THESE PROFESSIONALS (CHECK THEM OUT) CAN SAVE LOTS OF $ AND FRUSTRATIONS
LATER. GOD BLESS ALL OF US CAREGIVERS...THE PATH IS LONELY...BUT WE ARE NOT
ALONE!
Name: anne
Location: bradenton, fl
Date: 06/22/2009
Time: 08:28 AM
Comments
Comfort. When the patient is still coherent, don't
assume they are cold or uncomfortable. Don't assume they want blankets up to
their neck or socks on. I told my sister "please ask daddy if he wants socks on"
or "please ask daddy if he is cold before you put a blanket on". Don't wake him
up to ask him. PLEASE BE CONSIDERATE OF THEM. peace.
Name: Elaine Callender
Location: New York
Date: 06/24/2009
Time: 08:39 AM
Comments
When older people are in the hospital they tend to look
older than they are - When my MOM was in the hospital I engaged the nursing
staff and told them just how active my MOM was at 81 -- and I also brought in a
recent picture and posted it in MOM's room so no one would get the idea that
this wonderful lady's time was up....
Name: Rose Lamatt
Location: Florida
Date: 06/26/2009
Time: 11:56 AM
Comments
I read something the other day saying all caregivers
were ‘hero’s’. I don't know about 'hero' but I have written my story, 'Just a
Word' friends encounter Alzheimer's. A story of friendship, and going that extra
mile for the life of a friend. I was caregiver for fourteen years: four at home,
and ten in a nursing home. Anyone who thinks when one gets put in a nursing home
the duties of the caregiver are over, is very mistaken. That's when caregiving
becomes different. That's when you need to watch over the people who are caring
for your loved one. So now you are not only making sure your loved one is
cleaned, dressed and fed, but now you are making sure she/he is not being abused
in anyway, by mouth, or by hand. My way of coping was through prayer. Praying my
friend would be sleeping at night instead of pacing the halls of a nursing home
the way she did at home. Praying my friend was fed, and why was she losing so
much weight? Praying mostly that she was not hurt, like the time she fell and
broke her hip and they x-rayed the wrong hip. Sometime we need to go through the
unbelievable to see the truth on the other side, to become stronger and
fearless. My story, 'Just a Word' is mostly of nursing home caregiving, things
to watch out for, things to keep your ears open to. 'Hero'? I guess in a sense
all caregivers are. Watching over a parent, sister, brother, friend, there
really is no difference. s
Name: Elizabeth Koffron-Eisen
Location: Coralville, Iowa
Date: 07/29/2009
Time: 06:56 PM
Comments
"ASKING FOR HELP"
Used to be that I would:
1) go without;
2) stay at home; or
3) do it myself (more often than not, to the detriment
of either myself or the task)...
RATHER THAN:
1) look incapable;
2) feel dependent; or
3) be a bother or burden on someone by asking for their help.
Several years ago, a way of "re-framing" the above suddenly "came" to me:
* I know how good it feels when I CHOOSE to help someone else.
* If I need something and can identify someone who might be willing (and able) to meet that need, I might phrase my request this way: "I'd really appreciate help with (xyz). Do you know of anyone who would be willing to help?"
* As I haven't actually asked THEM by name, should they be Unable (or unwilling) to help, they can feel free to decline and/or suggest someone else who might. Regardless of their answer, I always thank them.
* If that person IS able to help, then, not only do I get what I need done (Gift #1), but I also give the person helping me an opportunity to feel good about themselves. (Gift #2).
"Asking for help" transforms into: "Double-Gifting".
Have you "Double-gifted" today?
Liz
Spousal caregiver x 21 years
. . . and counting . . .
Name: Carolyn Walker
Location: Memphis. Tenn.
Date: 08/17/2009
Time: 10:05 PM
Comments
I am a caregiver to my husband .He has memory loss due to a stroke in 2007. Whenever I feed him, he has a habit of saying, "man I haven't ate all day". After each meal I would always clean up his area, but now to help him to know that he has eaten I would leave evidence such as a bowl or a plate with the residue of what he ate, sitting near by, just to remind him that he did eat.
Name: Margo
Location: TN.
Date: 09/02/2009
Time: 02:50 PM
Comments
Hello, Everyone!
How are you today? I worked at a grocery store for 27 years. I retired early because my mom was diagnosed with Dementia. I wanted to take care of her. Taking care of a parent with dementia can be quite challenging, but also rewarding. The whole family helps with the care of our mother. My mothers feel more comfortable with family members with her and she is less agitated. We play games to help with her memory. Her favorite game is Price Is Right. She also likes Family Feud!
In the state of Tennessee they have limited financial support for adults that
take care of their parents. You are put on a long waiting list and they only
help 10 families at a time. The only time they get to you if someone else drops
out of the program. I am on the waiting list and have no idea when they will get
to me. Since I started taking care of my mother, I have noticed other caregivers
that are having trouble getting financial support. I do receive help from family
members, but I know they have their own expenses. My goal is to start a Network
of Family Caregivers that can make an income from home while giving their
parents the best of care. This relieves the guilt you may feel sometimes when
accepting financial support from family members. I have found 2 great home based
business that are very easy to do and you can start for free! If you are
interested you can email me.
Margo
email: michael.owens44@yahoo.com
Name: Marilyn
Location: Florida
Date: 09/12/2009
Time: 06:54 PM
Comments
At a local caregivers meeting sponsored by APDA I was blessed by meeting a caregiver who gave me some advice on a problem I had. My husband has PSP and falls quite often. One of my greatest worry was his getting up at night to urinate. To say the least I was not sleeping very well and this affected me the next day when I had all my caretaking obligations to tend to. She told me about the "Texas Catheter." It is a very simple device that is used at night and he does not have to get out of bed or wake me until the morning when I wake up and can be with him. Please speak to your urologist or physician if you are have this problem.
Name: glory read
Location: Clifton, NJ
Date: 09/17/2009
Time: 08:51 AM
Comments
Don 't treat people with Alzheimer's like children.
They have lived adult lives and the person is still inside. They are dysfunctional in their ability to assimilate and express their emotions. A caregiver needs to be their "rock". Awaken their "emotional memory" so they can enjoy the moment and feel secure which results in calmer behavior. This is explained in my memoir "Everything Will Be alright", which chronicles the 11 years my husband and I shared his disease, and grew closer than ever. Profits from my book are donated to Alzheimer's research.
Name: Donna
Location: Olympia, WA
Date: 09/28/2009
Time: 08:57 AM
Comments
Hello everyone! I find that I'm 52 years young and have worked in Retirement/Rehabs and done private home care in the past. I love the people and found that of all the things that I've done in my life....well, I'm a natural born Caregiver with a lot of "paperwork" to back up my credentials. Now, to get to the point. I just spent several days traveling with a friend in their RV. It was wonderful, but I started looking around at some of the RV parks and realized that I would love to combine my services as a caregiver to RVers that might think that they and their family members days of traveling are over due to age/illness. There isn't any good reason for this to be the case! I would love to become a caregiver/companion that travels around the country sharing the RV lifestyle. I have no family ties to bind me to one place any longer. Time isn't an issue to me, but providing quality of life while making new memories with others is. Does anyone know how I might go about becoming a Traveling RV Caregiver? There must be someone with some ideas! Please share.
Thanks
Name: Rosemary
Location: Mesick, MI
Date: 09/30/2009
Time: 10:35 AM
Comments
When an elderly person wants and/or likes to read the daily newspaper, where it is folded up the middle, tear or cut apart. This makes it so much easier to read the paper without holding your arms up in the air for so long.
Another tip would be to make a snack plate and leave it in the refrigerator ready to take what they want. It keeps them feeling independent. Such as a divided plate with fruits, vegies, cheese slices, turkey and chicken slices, a vegie/fruit dip, or chunkie cuts. Make sure that the cover is very easy to remove and replace. I usually always leave crackers on the counter ready to use in a little bag, with the top just folded over.
Name: Bob Brown
Location: New Jersey
Date: 10/01/2009
Time: 07:16 AM
Comments
This is my story / mission:
I was a caregiver for my father for 2 1/2 years before his passing. Needless to say I had little to no time for myself especially on weekends. He had an aid for the weekdays when I was working but the weekend was all me. After his passing I married and was now a caregiver along with my wife for my Mother-In-Law who had Alzheimers and again it was difficult at best to find someone to watch her on the weekends. With that being said I would like your opinions on my idea. I would like to open a center designed specifically for weekend days and/or nights (weekdays too)to allow caregivers some much needed time for themselves. Your thoughts on this proposed venture are greatly appreciated. I will check back on this site or you can email me. My email is bobro1958@aol.com
Thank you,
Bob
Name: Lori DiTucci
Location: Texas
Date: 10/27/2009
Time: 05:26 AM
Comments
Parkinsons disease is painful sight for a caregiver, my secret to relief is to look at pictures of years before. My mom has parkinsons and has trouble walking, talking, and doing basic ADL's. We laugh sometimes together on her speech troubles and just don't take it to heart.
Name: Bette Scott
Location: Lewisburg, PA
Date: 10/27/2009
Time: 06:21 PM
Comments
I have developed a Pill Organization System for my mother. She takes over 20 pills a day and I prepare her weekly pill strips. I was very concerned that the pill strips were put together properly--at times I might have interruptions while filling the pill strips. I took pictures of each pill and transferred them to a morning mat and an evening mat. I can match the pills from the strips to the pictures, to be sure that I am administering the correct pills at the correct time. This helps me not to worry, and if someone is staying with her at pill time, they can be confident in giving her her pills as well.
Name: Blanca Ceballos
Location: Miami, Florida
Date: 11/18/2009
Time: 06:31 AM
Comments
Seek help when you need it. Taking care of a person with Alzheimer's disease or dementia can be very stressful. In Miami, Florida a free caregivers support program is available thru Community REACH II. This 6-month program offers respite service for your loved one while you participate in supportive, educational and counseling sessions. Participants also receive a free MedicAlert+safe return bracelet. For more information call 305-716-0710.
