Monday: Have you received any new resources lately? In Tulsa, OK the new Vintage Guide recently came out which lists different home care agencies, assisted living facilities, etc. Also magazines such as Oklahoma Magazine or Tulsa People will have months where the issues are all about senior care.
Tuesday: Write about your best day last week. Once you have written it down look over, and think to yourself what can you do to make more days as good as your best day.
Wednesday: Take an hour out of your day to do something relaxing for yourself. This can be anything from getting a massage to hanging out with friends or just being able to get out of the house for an hour.
Thursday: Have you talked to a friend or family member about your emotions/feelings lately? Doing this on a regular basis is very therapeutic and healthy so your emotions do not get bottled up, which can cause physical stress along with emotional stress.
Friday: When was the last time you took a picture of your loved one? There comes a point in a senior's life where their loved ones stop taking pictures of them for some reason. Seniors like to get their photo taken, and it's a great way to preserve current memories of them.
Saturday: Write down whatever is currently on your mind, good or bad.
Sunday: Write down your activities for next week
Monday, August 31, 2009
Friday, August 28, 2009
Compassion Fatigue
Recently, I went to a presentation about compassion fatigue. Compassion fatigue is known as a secondary traumatic stress disorder, and can lead to caregiver burnout. So how do you recognize if you have compassion fatigue?
Symptoms
Symptoms
- Excessive Blaming
- Bottled up emotions
- Isolation
- Substance Abuse
- Compulsive behaviors
- Legal problems
- Poor self-care
- Physical ailments
- Problems concentrating
- Denial
- Preoccupied
If you have experienced these symptoms since you became a caregiver, then you more than likely have compassion fatigue. Now that you have recognized it, the next step is to take action so your compassion fatigue doesn't turn into caregiver burnout, or end up making you physically sick.
Actions to take:
- Accept help from others, recognize that you can't do everything on your own
- Talk about your feelings with a support group or someone close to you
- Be kind to yourself
- Educate yourself
- Do activities to stay physically healthy, such as exercising or yoga
- Develop and maintain a support system for yourself
- Live a balanced life
To learn more go to www.compassionfatigue.org There are stress tests you can take at this website so you know what your stress level is.
Monday, August 24, 2009
Caregiver Activities for the Week
Monday: Today choose an activity that you can do with your loved one, preferrably an activity you can do over an extended time period like scrapbooking, knitting, etc. There are books that explain the basics of these activities so you know where to start.
Tuesday: Today listen to your favorite kind of music. Afterward write about how the music made you feel.
Wednesday: Abraham Lincoln said, "I do the very best I know how; the very best I can; and I mean to keep on doing so until the end." Write down your first reaction after reading this quote.
Thursday: With fall quickly approaching take a moment to think about your favorite fall traditions/memories. Is it the leaves falling off the trees, halloween, the cooler temperatures, etc. Make a point this fall to make sure you continue to enjoy your favorite fall traditions.
Friday: Take time today to accomplish something that you haven't been able to get done yet this week.
Saturday: Share part of your past with someone you love. This can be your college experience, your childhood, or high school experience. Sharing past experiences with someone really shows them a different part of who you are that they might not normally get to see.
Sunday: Organize your activities for next week.
Tuesday: Today listen to your favorite kind of music. Afterward write about how the music made you feel.
Wednesday: Abraham Lincoln said, "I do the very best I know how; the very best I can; and I mean to keep on doing so until the end." Write down your first reaction after reading this quote.
Thursday: With fall quickly approaching take a moment to think about your favorite fall traditions/memories. Is it the leaves falling off the trees, halloween, the cooler temperatures, etc. Make a point this fall to make sure you continue to enjoy your favorite fall traditions.
Friday: Take time today to accomplish something that you haven't been able to get done yet this week.
Saturday: Share part of your past with someone you love. This can be your college experience, your childhood, or high school experience. Sharing past experiences with someone really shows them a different part of who you are that they might not normally get to see.
Sunday: Organize your activities for next week.
Friday, August 21, 2009
National Aging in Place Week
Aging in Place is the idea of supporting Seniors in preparing their homes and their lives to be able to live long, healthy and happy lives right where they want to be: in their own homes, neighborhoods and communities.
The National Aging in Place Council has set aside October 12-18 as National Aging in Place Week.
This special week is a specific time to highlight the benefits of aging in place. The week is focused on educating and highlighting community and home based services that help seniors successfully age in place.
A Better Life Homecare will participate in National Aging in Place Week with a variety of events and activities, including a memory scrap booking event, and a yard cleaning event for needy seniors.
Scrapbooking is a great activity for seniors, especially those with dementia because it can help jog their memory. It’s also a great way for family members to preserve their memories with their loved ones.
For more information check our website:
www.abetterlifehomecare.com
The National Aging in Place Council has set aside October 12-18 as National Aging in Place Week.
This special week is a specific time to highlight the benefits of aging in place. The week is focused on educating and highlighting community and home based services that help seniors successfully age in place.
A Better Life Homecare will participate in National Aging in Place Week with a variety of events and activities, including a memory scrap booking event, and a yard cleaning event for needy seniors.
Scrapbooking is a great activity for seniors, especially those with dementia because it can help jog their memory. It’s also a great way for family members to preserve their memories with their loved ones.
For more information check our website:
www.abetterlifehomecare.com
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Caregiver's Corner
Your loved one with Alzheimer’s disease has a lot of living to do. Help keep the LIFE in the living by participating in activities that are enriching to both of you:
· Simple physical and recreational activities such as taking regular walks along familiar routes help establish routines, work out anxiety and maintain health.
· Social time is important, Keeping the events small and familiar will help your loved one benefit most from the time. Prepare friends and family members to automatically provide helpful cues about names and history together, rather than “testing” your loved one with “who am I?” or “don’t you remember me?” challenges.
· Creative activities such as painting, drawing and scrapbooking and participating in cultural events can help your loved one take advantage of natural creativity to express their thoughts and feelings. I’m Still Here by John Zeisel is a wonderful resource for helping caregivers maximize use of arts to help family members keep the LIFE in living!
· Have quiet time. Sometimes you don’t need to say a word, just sit with each other.
· Task-Related activities will help your loved one continue to contribute. This can be helping prepare a meal, dusting around the house, or folding sheets.
· Consider modifying activities that you and your loved one used to enjoy together.
· Simple physical and recreational activities such as taking regular walks along familiar routes help establish routines, work out anxiety and maintain health.
· Social time is important, Keeping the events small and familiar will help your loved one benefit most from the time. Prepare friends and family members to automatically provide helpful cues about names and history together, rather than “testing” your loved one with “who am I?” or “don’t you remember me?” challenges.
· Creative activities such as painting, drawing and scrapbooking and participating in cultural events can help your loved one take advantage of natural creativity to express their thoughts and feelings. I’m Still Here by John Zeisel is a wonderful resource for helping caregivers maximize use of arts to help family members keep the LIFE in living!
· Have quiet time. Sometimes you don’t need to say a word, just sit with each other.
· Task-Related activities will help your loved one continue to contribute. This can be helping prepare a meal, dusting around the house, or folding sheets.
· Consider modifying activities that you and your loved one used to enjoy together.
Monday, August 17, 2009
Caregiver Activities for the Week
Monday: What did you do last week that was just for yourself? Being a caregiver it is easy to constantly think about someone else's needs. Write down what you have done for yourself recently.
Tuesday: I have talked about how key organization is for caregivers. When was the last time you have gone through paperwork and files. If it's been a while then take some time to sort through stuff today. You will be surprised how much stuff you accumulate just in the course of a month. Anything that has identifying information on it that you no longer need make sure and shred the documents.
Wednesday: Dennis Gabor said, "Poetry is plucking at the heartstrings, and making music with them." Today write a poem about what's in your heart.
Thursday: If you haven't looked into senior centers in your area, take some time to do that today. If your loved one likes to meet new people this is a great way to do it. Often there are many different classes offered at senior centers like fitness classes, scrapbooking groups, etc.
Friday: Rest a little today and just enjoy the company of your loved one. This can be very relaxing.
Saturday: Remember when you were a kid and so carefree? Today I want you to do an activity where you feel like a kid again, back when everything was simpler. Some activities might include going to an arcade, playing board games, coloring, etc. This can be a great stress reliever.
Sunday: Write down your schedule for next week.
Tuesday: I have talked about how key organization is for caregivers. When was the last time you have gone through paperwork and files. If it's been a while then take some time to sort through stuff today. You will be surprised how much stuff you accumulate just in the course of a month. Anything that has identifying information on it that you no longer need make sure and shred the documents.
Wednesday: Dennis Gabor said, "Poetry is plucking at the heartstrings, and making music with them." Today write a poem about what's in your heart.
Thursday: If you haven't looked into senior centers in your area, take some time to do that today. If your loved one likes to meet new people this is a great way to do it. Often there are many different classes offered at senior centers like fitness classes, scrapbooking groups, etc.
Friday: Rest a little today and just enjoy the company of your loved one. This can be very relaxing.
Saturday: Remember when you were a kid and so carefree? Today I want you to do an activity where you feel like a kid again, back when everything was simpler. Some activities might include going to an arcade, playing board games, coloring, etc. This can be a great stress reliever.
Sunday: Write down your schedule for next week.
Monday, August 10, 2009
Caregiver Activities for the Week
Monday: Children put a smile on everyone's face. So take you and your loved and visit with your children, grandchildren, or your friend's grandchildren, etc. You can't help but laugh and smile when kids are around.
Tuesday: As summer is coming to an end take a moment to write about your favorite summer memory this year.
Wednesday: Educate yourself. No I don't mean on your loved one's condition. While that is important and great to do, I want you to continue you learning about things that interest you like WWII, cars, computers, etc. It's important to continue to learn new things. Write about what you learned today.
Thursday: Marcel Proust said, "The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes, but in having new eyes." What is your first reaction to this quote?
Friday: Write about what is currently on your mind.
Saturday: Go outside today and enjoy the beautiful weather.
Sunday: Prepare your activities and appointments for next week.
Tuesday: As summer is coming to an end take a moment to write about your favorite summer memory this year.
Wednesday: Educate yourself. No I don't mean on your loved one's condition. While that is important and great to do, I want you to continue you learning about things that interest you like WWII, cars, computers, etc. It's important to continue to learn new things. Write about what you learned today.
Thursday: Marcel Proust said, "The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes, but in having new eyes." What is your first reaction to this quote?
Friday: Write about what is currently on your mind.
Saturday: Go outside today and enjoy the beautiful weather.
Sunday: Prepare your activities and appointments for next week.
Friday, August 7, 2009
Identity Theft Prevention
Half of all identity thefts are committed by someone the victim knows. This is a very scary thought when you stop and think about it. That is why it is very important to take measures to protect yourself as much as possible so this does happen to you and your loved one. I am going to talk about the common practices an identity theft does, and what prevention steps you can take.
An Identity Theif will:
An Identity Theif will:
- File a change of address form in your name so they can start receiving your mail
- Steal credit card payments
- Steal mail
- Go through your garbage, looking for any personal information you have thrown out
- Steal discarded credit card applications, and fill them out with their address
- Send fraudulent e-mails
- Run a Medicare scam asking for you card number (which is the same as your social security number)
Prevention Techniques
- Do not leave bill payments on your curbside mail box, take it to the post office
- Have the post office hold your mail when you are out of town, or have someone you trust pick up your mail everyday
- Do not give any personal information over the phone
- Keep your identifying information like social security card in a secure locked place
- Do not put your trash out way ahead of pick up time
- Do not care your social security card in your purse or wallet
- Do not give Medicare information out over the phone or through e-mail. To report a Medicare scam call 1-800-Medicare
- Be cautious if a friend or family member starts asking you for small loans, or says they are in a financial bind
- If you assign a power of attorney, make sure it is someone you completely trust and won't take advantage of the opportunity
- Shred all financial statements
- Do not write your passwords down
These are just some of the many precautions you should take so you don't find your identity stolen. Take some time and discuss this with your friends and family and brainstorm about other ways that you can safeguard your information.
Monday, August 3, 2009
Caregiver Activities for the Week
Monday: Today write down what resources and supports you have that you can count on. It is easy to feel alone sometimes but once you see on paper all the different places you can turn to it will begin to ease the stress. If you feel like you do not have enough supports check out some of your local support groups.
Tuesday: Mary Poole said, "He who laughs, lasts" Take a moment and laugh today.
Wednesday: Organization is one thing that can help you reduce your caregiver stress. One thing that helps is to keep your loved one's information organized. Today create a medical journal for your loved one. Every time you go to the doctor with him or her take it with you and write down the information you receive from that appointment (i.e. medication changes, weight, lab results, etc.)
Thursday: If your loved one likes music take them out to Utica Square to listen to some great music. The best part is it's free!
Friday: Today take a moment and do something for yourself.
Saturday: Write about whatever is currently on your mind.
Sunday: Plan out next week's activities
Tuesday: Mary Poole said, "He who laughs, lasts" Take a moment and laugh today.
Wednesday: Organization is one thing that can help you reduce your caregiver stress. One thing that helps is to keep your loved one's information organized. Today create a medical journal for your loved one. Every time you go to the doctor with him or her take it with you and write down the information you receive from that appointment (i.e. medication changes, weight, lab results, etc.)
Thursday: If your loved one likes music take them out to Utica Square to listen to some great music. The best part is it's free!
Friday: Today take a moment and do something for yourself.
Saturday: Write about whatever is currently on your mind.
Sunday: Plan out next week's activities
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