1lifetime2care4: Want to be the family caregiver?? 4 steps to check.

Tuesday, September 3, 2013

Want to be the family caregiver?? 4 steps to check.

Elderlink.com states that the Pew Research Center found that 21% of Americans care for an elderly parent. While sometimes this situation comes on quickly, there are things you can do to better prepare yourself for when it does happen.
** One is to talk to your parents - find out what they want as they get older or if something happens. Go over the possibilities - assisted living, nursing home, care at home. Find out if they have a living will and / or any advance directives.
** Two is to get important documents or papers - make sure you have social security numbers, get any insurance information, accumulate doctor's names & numbers, sign HIPAA waivers with all doctors so you can talk to them and / or ask questions and help decide on treatment and tests.
** Three is to know your employer's family leave policy - The Family & Medical Leave Act was designed to help people keep their job when it came time to staying home and taking care of a child or elderly parent. Know what this means for you and your job.
** Four is research senior care options - check the difference between assisted living and a nursing home, if someone is a veteran find out what the Veterans Administration can help with, find in-home care agencies in your area. Check to see what their insurance will cover.

Best to be prepared. Talk to others who hare been a caretaker or are currently caring for someone.

Check these sites for information (these are only a few):

ElderCarelink
Caring.com
The Savvy Senior
Assisted Living Directory
Seniors List

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4 Signs of Caregiving Stress Overload

ElderCarelink email posts 4 signs that should not be overlooked by you, the caregiver, or a close family member or friend. They report that even though the immediate caregiver may not be helping in direct care, the mind is never far from the needs of the older person, thinking about meals, falling, medications. Take the opinion of a family member or friend if they are telling you that you are stressed. Four signs: you skip your own physicals; you isolate yourself from others; you eat and/or drink too much for good health; you are short tempered with the elder, your spouse or your children. If any or all of these sound familiar, take a break no matter how short in order to recharge. For more information on caregiver stress see ElderCarelink

A Caregiver's Poem

I was looking through a 'Caregiver's Blog: Senior Care Support' and came across a poem that was shared by a writer, Dana, from the blog. The poem was written by Becky Netherland and Dana's grandmother shared it with her. I thought it was great and there is not much to say about it - just read!!! Enjoy!!

Grandma’s Pearls of Wisdom:

(picture from Caregivers Blog)

I’ve traveled paths you’ve yet to walk

Learned lessons old and new

And now this wisdom of my life

I’m blessed to share with you

Let kindness spread like sunshine

Embrace those who are sad

Respect their dignity, give them joy

And leave them feeling glad

Forgive those who might hurt you

And though you have your pride

Listen closely to their viewpoint

Try to see the other side

Walk softly when you’re angry

Try not to take offense

Invoke your sense of humor

Laughter’s power is immense!

Express what you are feeling

Your beliefs you should uphold

Don’t shy away from what is right

Be courageous and be bold

Keep hope right in your pocket

It will guide you day by day

Take it out when it is needed

When it’s near, you’ll find a way

Remember friends and family

Of which you are a precious part

Love deeply and love truly

Give freely from your heart

The world is far from perfect

There’s conflict and there’s strife

But you still can make a difference

By how you live your life

And so I’m very blessed to know

The wonders you will do

Because you are my granddaughter

And I believe in you.

SBA and Veterans

We usually address vets in the blog when it comes to medical or caregiver issues, but I found an article in the Rhode Island Small Business Journal (RISBA) that informed us of how the Small Business Administration (SBA) is helping vets get loans to start or grow a business. Veterans Advantage covers a variety of programs including helping them to get ahead with the great skills they have. According to the RISBJ, the SBA can help with business counseling, training, capital & business development opportunities through government contracts. You can also access more information here at the SBA or call your local SBA.

Caregiver Products

There is a panel started by 'Caring.com' that will allow people to sign up and test products and review them and possibly have your remarks published. According to the site, you then get to keep the item. Please check out the recruitment questionaire.

One review that I found was for Presto Computerless E-mail. This device will allow people to send emails, photos, and other attachments to those who might not be tech savvy WITHOUT them needing a computer or internet access. You can check out the reviews both pro and con.

Caregiver 'Pick-Me-Ups'

Caring.com offers 8 ways for a caregiver, and older parent, to try and put aside the winter doldrums and look toward spring (and try to have a happier attitude).

1 - Sniff a hyacinth. Get one with tight green blossoms so it lasts longer. This type of flower using bring memories of spring celebrations.

2 - Eat a few chocolate eggs. Eat in moderation but those tasty eggs only come this time of year for Easter.

3 - Install a bird feeder. Easy to make (you might be able to do it with your older parent and/or children) and watch your visitors from the comfort of home.

4 - Cut a branch and put it in a vase. Who doesn't like to look at dogwood, forsythia, pussywillows, tulip magnolia?

5 - Plan your summer break. Start thinking of who can take over for you, for a day, weekend, etc. Give them notice.

6 - Get rain ready. A lot of times mom or dad may lose umbrellas or rain hats. Get several to keep around a house or car. Check on the tissues, combs, reading glasses, etc.

7 - Watch 'Singing in the Rain'. Great music and dancing. The older folks will love it, and probably remember the words to the songs.

8 - Celebrate the end of winters hassles. Just know there will be less fighting over the thermostat, which coat to wear, locating the boots, and watching out for ice.

You May Be Able to Get Paid As A Caregiver.

Something I did not know: From 'Caring.com' check this out.

If you're one of more than 70 million people who provide unpaid caregiving for a family member or friend -- either in that person's home or in your own -- you know that the time and energy burden can be enormous. In fact, you may have cut back or given up your paying job. Your smaller (or now nonexistent) paycheck may be pinching you hard. If so, it might be possible for you to get a small but regular payment for your caregiving work.

Here's how: If the parent, spouse, or other person you're caring for is eligible for Medicaid, its Cash and Counseling program, available in some states, can provide direct payments that could go to you. A few other states have similar programs for low-income seniors, even if the person receiving care doesn't quite qualify for Medicaid. Also, if the person you're caring for has long-term care insurance that includes in-home care coverage, in some cases those benefits can be used to pay you. If the person you're caring for will be paying you from any source, it may be a good idea -- for both of you -- to draft a short written contract setting out the terms of your work and payment.

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Tuesday, September 3, 2013

Want to be the family caregiver?? 4 steps to check.

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