When you assume the role of caregiver for an elderly relative at home, you frequently encounter situations that require you to aid them in navigating the house, rising from or sitting in chairs or wheelchairs, or transitioning from one spot to another. Mishandling these activities can significantly endanger both your safety and that of your relative, making it imperative to utilize effective techniques for safe lifting and transfers at home.
Strengthen family bonds and find support through family therapy in senior
caregiving.
There are specific milestones we may experience in our lives that, though not automatically negative, are known stressors. Losing a job. Starting a new job. Getting married. Getting divorced. And one that we in the home care industry are particularly mindful of: the mental and physical effect on family members who are caring for aging parents.
Each year, thousands of American seniors are told they have Parkinson’s disease, but they don’t. For a number of these people, the actual diagnosis is a very similar but not as well-known disease: dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB).
The results of maintaining some form of exercise regimen throughout aging are remarkable, but for those with Parkinson’s, it may truly be a game-changer regarding the progression of the disease. Several studies are showing a direct link between exercise and Parkinson’s, including the largest clinical study to date, in which patients who exercised at least 2½ hours per week gained a greater total wellbeing compared to those who refrained from physical activity. And that is just the beginning.
In our commitment to fostering compassionate and supportive spaces for seniors, the importance of cultural competence shines, especially concerning the distinct needs of LGBTQ+ individuals in their later years. Cultural competence transcends mere tolerance, requiring a profound understanding and respect for diverse identities, backgrounds, and experiences. In the realm of senior care, embracing cultural competence becomes crucial to ensuring LGBTQ+ seniors receive the dignity and understanding they deserve as they navigate the complexities of aging.
As we embark on the journey of life, each individual’s story unfolds like a tapestry, rich with diverse experiences and vibrant hues. Among the threads of this intricate fabric are the narratives of LGBTQ+ seniors, whose stories often bear the weight of challenges that demand our attention and empathy. As a leading provider of home care services in Austin and the surrounding areas, we understand the significance of fostering inclusivity to ensure that every member of our community receives the support and care they deserve.
Reflect back on your life for a moment. Is there anything you had to learn the hard way? Life doesn’t come with a guidebook, unfortunately. Yet we have something even better than an instruction manual: those who have walked a similar journey and hold the keys to a wealth of wisdom.
We all want to leave the world a little better than we found it. One significant way to accomplish this is by creating a legacy for the generations that follow. A person’s legacy becomes a timeless treasure, influencing the decisions of their children and grandchildren, who build onto that legacy and reach countless others in years to come.
Returning home for the holidays can be a joyous occasion, but it can also bring to light changes in the health and well-being of our aging loved ones. If you’ve recently visited your parents and are noticing care needs during the holidays, such as Mom is becoming increasingly forgetful or Dad is not moving as well as he did last year, you’re not alone. Many adult children experience a holiday reality check – a time when family visits reveal a need for care that may have been overlooked throughout the year.
The holiday season is often associated with joy, festivities, and quality time spent with loved ones. However, for some individuals, especially seniors, the fall and winter months can trigger a form of clinical depression known as Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). This condition is more than just the winter blues; it can cast a shadow over the holidays, leading to feelings of sadness and nostalgia, particularly for seniors who reminisce about past celebrations with loved ones who are no longer present.
If you’re caring for someone with Alzheimer’s disease, you already understand how important it is to be flexible and patient, and to expect the unexpected. On any given day, the person may experience a broad range of emotions: calm, angry, agitated, fearful, giddy, melancholy. As you adapt your care strategy to match the person’s mood, you also need to juggle managing a host of difficult symptoms: wandering, repetitive behaviors and conversations, memory loss, sundowning. Through all of this, you may not even realize that there are certain factors that can make Alzheimer’s worse, that if avoided, can minimize some of the more challenging effects of the disease.
As a degenerating neurological disease, ALS (also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease) can cause a wide range of physical obstacles that can trigger clinical depression. For individuals caring for a loved one with ALS, it’s difficult not to become stressed and uncertain about how to help the person live life to the fullest and stay positive. It requires understanding the nuances of the disease and implementing ALS care tips from those who have walked a mile in your shoes.
Receiving a diagnosis of Lou Gehrig’s disease (also known as ALS) can cause plenty of questions and apprehensions, both for the individual diagnosed and their loved ones. What causes ALS? What symptoms might be expected in each stage of ALS? Where am I able to go for support?
If a person you love is fighting cancer, they may be suffering from a few unpleasant side effects of the cancer treatment they are receiving, and you will want to do whatever you can to help relieve these symptoms. Even though just being there with them to provide comfort and friendship is in itself extremely helpful, there are additional steps you can take.
Being given a diagnosis of cancer is life-changing, and making sure you have a strong network of support is vital. When it’s a friend or loved one, you may be unsure about what you can do to help. You’ll want to know the best ways to support someone with cancer without overstepping boundaries or making them feel discomfort for any reason. What can you do to best provide relief through a diagnosis of cancer for someone you love? Our experts in home care have some guidelines to get you started.
Though many older adults acclimate smoothly when a new caregiver comes into the home, and begin to enjoy a higher quality of life, there are some seniors who may continue to feel threatened. At CareFor, we’re especially sensitive to the feelings of a senior who is resistant to care. We’re skilled in helping to ease concerns and restore peace.
As the top provider of professional senior care in Austin, San Antonio, and the surrounding area, we see firsthand every day the joy, companionship, and improved quality of life older adults receive from having a caregiver. Yet we also know that many older adults balk at the idea of caregiving. Understanding why seniors resist home care is key to overcoming these objections.
Pressure sores, also known as bed sores, affect upwards of one in every ten seniors and are even more prevalent in those who smoke, are living with a chronic disease such as diabetes, or who have fragile or thin skin. Bed sores are not merely extremely painful – they can easily progress to infections that can become life-threatening.
The holiday season is an ideal time to get together with friends and relatives, but it’s not exactly a relaxing time of year. The hustle and bustle of the holiday season, from shopping to parties to family get-togethers, can be incredibly stressful, and when you’ve got someone to provide care for, your own duties can fall by the wayside. CareFor wants to help with some holiday tips for caregivers to make the season a little less overwhelming.