Posted by Lauren Batalka on Mon, Oct 17, 2011
It seems there are more and more support groups popping up. Support groups are a sign of the times and a product of modern life- for people dealing with abuse, addiction-and more so for family caregivers. Today, more than 29% of the U.S. population is providing care for a loved one, creating a need for a caregiver support system.
You may be wondering how a support group will benefit you. There are a few questions you should ask before joining a support group.
Why a support group?
A support group provides:
- A non-judgmental environment to share your concerns, worries, challenges and triumphs.
- Overall support and the assurance that you are not alone.
- Advice so you know what is in store.
- Coping mechanisms.
- Advice and ideas when dealing with your loved one.
- A social outlet to meet new friends.
What kind of support groups are out there?
Caregiver Groups: focusing on the caregiver specifically, founded on the shared experience that comes from caring for a loved one. Caregivers have a chance to focus on their own needs, rather than just the needs or condition of the care recipient.
Condition-Specific Groups: focusing on the specific disease or condition. These groups are typically organized by a healthcare structure or an organization, such as the Alzheimer’s Association or the ALS Association. The group is usually organized by one group, or sub-groups such as patients, family members, or a combination of both. They’re often excellent with providing resources and up-to-date information.
Relationship-Oriented Groups: focusing on the relationship of the caregiver to the care recipient. Often, the group will focus on the needs of children, Adult Children caring for aging parents, or spouses of the care recipients.
On-line Groups- focused on providing support and information for those who cannot leave the home environment. These groups can have world-wide participants.
You may want to visit a few groups before deciding on which group you would like to attend regularly. Different groups have different dynamics. Be sure that you are comfortable with the group members and the group facilitator. You may want to visit a group more than once before making a decision. Often, as a new member, you may be a little overwhelmed to contribute or get anything out of the first meeting.
Most importantly, take time to take care of yourself. Being a caregiver is perhaps the most difficult job out there.
For more information about Home Helpers, please visit our website, www.HomeHelpersPhilly.com
Posted by Lauren Batalka on Fri, Sep 02, 2011
While most of us have probably lost our keys or misplaced something that was under our nose the whole time, a question many people have is, “Is there a reason to be concerned, or might it just be a Senior Moment?”
A challenge for many families is often determining at what point a change in behavior merits consideration, and when to pursue medical attention.
People often make statements such as “Dad’s going nuts,” or “Mom’s lost her mind,” and don’t recognize that treatments may be available to help a loved one. Dementia, depression and delirium are conditions that cause behavior changes, yet are often undiagnosed and untreated.
The incidence of all three conditions increase as people age. If you sense a change in a loved one’s behavior, encourage your loved one to undergo an assessment by his or her physician. To help health care professionals diagnose and treat a medical condition, it can be helpful to keep a journal of unusual behaviors and report any and all symptoms.
Let’s take a look at each of the three conditions:
DEMENTIA is a term that describes disorders that affect the functioning of one’s brain, and it is characterized by mental decline and impairment. Dementia and Alzheimer’s, a degenerative disorder of the brain, is reported to be the most common cause of dementia in older adults. The Alzheimer’s Association reports that “As many as 10% of all people 65 years of age and older have Alzheimer’s. As many as 50% of all people 85 and older have the disease.”
People with Alzheimer’s have dementia; however people with dementia don’t necessarily have Alzheimer’s. For example, people with chronic conditions such as Parkinson’s can have dementia. A common form of dementia is a condition referred to as Multi-Infarct, where blood flow is cut off from a certain part of the brain, resulting in permanent damage and loss of mental capacity.
People with dementia often have trouble with their ability to recall information, solve problems and speak. They may also act strange or seem moody. People with dementia often lose the ability to perform everyday tasks necessary to live independently. Another characteristic is an inability to make decisions or respond to questions.
DEPRESSION refers to a mood disorder that can affect both a person’s mind and body. While many people never seek treatment for depression, those who do often experience improvement over time. While everyone occasionally feels depressed or sad, depression is characterized by intense sadness that lasts for a period of two weeks or longer, and impacts a person’s ability to lead a normal life.
DELIRIUM is a cognitive or mental disorder, not a disease. Delirium appears suddenly, often within hours or days, and may come and go throughout the day. A person who is delirious may appear disoriented, exhibit varying levels of consciousness, have disorganized speech, and an inability to comprehend what’s being sad. Delirium can be frightening as a loved one acts unpredictably, is uncooperative and sometimes acts violently. With delirium, there is typically an underlying cause such as infection (commonly UTI’s in older adults), dehydration, physical illness, head injury, trauma, substance abuse, or a reaction to medications (e.g., prescription, over-the-counter, supplements). Once the cause is identified and treatment begins (e.g., changing medications, increasing fluids or treating infections), there is often a quick turn-around.
SEEK MEDICAL ATTENTION
If you notice a change in a loved one’s behavior, regardless if the change is sudden or gradual over time, seek medical attention. Health care professionals are likely to complete an assessment to rule out possible causes, make a diagnosis and determine treatment options. People who receive treatment often enjoy a better quality of life.
Posted by Frank Esterle on Fri, Jul 01, 2011
Your loved one was recently diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease and you’re probably wondering what you’re supposed to do now.
It’s important to take some time to digest the information. Understand that your loved one’s Alzheimer’s may progress slowly, over time. You may have many good years ahead with your loved one. Take time to discuss what you both want to do to enjoy the time that you have together.
After you’ve had time to come to terms with the diagnosis, it’s important to consider the following:
- How will relationships change with family, friends, and co-workers?
- How is your loved one coping with memory loss and changes?
- What is the impact of the diagnosis on your loved one’s career, family role, social engagement and/or finances?
- What is the impact of the diagnosis on your loved one’s ability to drive?
- What is the impact of the diagnosis on your loved one’s ability to work?
Do’s & Don’ts:
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Do
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Don’t
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Allow your loved one time to share his/her feelings/thoughts
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Assume that your loved one is incapable of making decisions
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Be patient
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Assume that your loved one will remember what you have discussed
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Use reflective listening
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Move immediately into problem solving
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Use a soothing tone of voice
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Do not jump into conclusions
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Ask questions to explore your loved one’s concerns
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Do not say, “Don’t cry” “It can’t be that bad” “It will work out
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Treat your loved one as an independent, viable person
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Talk to your loved one as if they are incapable of understanding
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Talk slowly and clearly –giving your loved one time to process information
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Talk quickly or jump from one subject/question to another
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Allow time for responding to questions
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Fill in words or finish their thoughts
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Allow time for telling friends and family
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Force your loved one to tell people about the new diagnosis unless they are comfortable with it
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Look into support groups
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Assume that their progression will be the same as others
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One of the best things you can do for you and your family is to get legal, financial and care plans in place. Doing so allows you to participate in making decisions and ensures your family won't be forced to make them for you in a crisis situation.
Plan for the future now!
For more information, visit the Alzheimer’s Association.
Click HERE for more information about Home Helpers.
Posted by Lauren Batalka on Thu, Jun 02, 2011
According to the Alzheimer’s Association, 6 out of 10 people with Alzheimer’s disease will wander. As a caregiver, you may have experienced your loved one wondering away from you. Many people with Alzheimer’s disease wander from their caregiver or even their own home. You need to know how to prevent your loved one from wandering, as it may have dangerous and life threatening consequences. By following some important tips, you will help keep your loved one safe and give yourself peace of mind.
- Make sure that your loved one has some kind of identification on them at all times. The Alzheimer’s Association offers MedicAlert® + Safe Return®, which is a 24-hour nationwide emergency response service for individuals with Alzheimer’s or a related dementia who wander or have a medical emergency. For more information, visit www.alz.org/safereturn or call 1-888-572-8566
- Make neighbors and local police aware that your loved one with Alzheimer’s disease wanders.
- Keep an updated picture of your loved one. Police will need to know what your loved one looks like if they are lost. Out of date driver’s license pictures may not be enough.
- Install door chimes on all doors that lead to an exit. This way, you’ll hear if your loved one leaves the house.
- Consider camouflaging doors. To short-circuit a compulsion to wander into off-limit rooms, you might place curtains over doors or camouflage doors with paint or wallpaper that matches the surrounding walls. A mirror or a stop sign on the door might help, too.
- Plan activities and distractions. If you notice that your loved one wanders at certain times of the day, plan activities around those times. It can be as simple as looking through old pictures, getting them involved with the laundry, or having a snack with them.
People who have Alzheimer's often forget where they are, even inside their own homes. It might help to post descriptive photos on the doors to various rooms, such as the bathroom, bedroom and kitchen. Hang a picture of your loved one on their bedroom door so they that it’s their room.
It only takes a moment for someone to wander away. Even the most diligent caregiver has to sleep, bathe, or talk on the phone. It’s vital that you arm yourself with wandering precautions. 93% of Alzheimer’s patients who wander and are found within 12 hours survive. Seven percent don't. About one in 14 don't make it home alive. Of those lost more than 24 hours, only a third survive. Of those lost more than 72 hours, only 20 percent survive.
For more information about the Alzheimer’s Association, click HERE.
For more information about Home Helpers, click HERE.
Posted by Lauren Batalka on Fri, Mar 25, 2011
People generally want to be self-sufficient and feel comfortable and safe in their home. There are a variety of specialty products and assistive devices available to help people if aspects of everyday life become challenging. Remodeling or retrofitting the home may also be an option worth considering.
To help make life easier and safer for someone, you might consider the following Protective and Personal measures.
PROTECTIVE MEASURES have to do with ensuring one’s environment is safe from intrusion and provides a comfortable atmosphere for a person to live. Common considerations include:
Doors and Windows: Check that they shut and lock properly. Install an automatic opener on the garage door and make sure the door is functioning properly.
Lighting: Make sure there is adequate lighting by stairs, in hallways, the kitchen, bathrooms and outdoors.
Safety: Install smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors if they are not already in place. Also, install a peep hole in your front door to view visitors without having to open the door. Provide a spare key and emergency phone numbers to a trustworthy neighbor. Make sure medications are properly stored and marked.
PERSONAL MEASURES have to do with getting aids and devices to enhance function and independence. Give consideration to the following:
Sensory Aids: Dentures, hearing aids, eye glasses, etc.
Mobility and Transfer Aids: Cane, walker, wheelchair, lift chair, hospital bed, etc.
Adaptive Clothing: Front/rear closure garments, Velcro™ closure fashions and footwear, etc.
Convenience Items: Special needs telephone, large handle utensils and apparatuses, etc.
Personal Care: Incontinence supplies, personal hygiene items, etc.
Peace of Mind: Personal Emergency response system- e.g. “I’ve fallen and need help.”
Once you identify ways to help make life easier and safer, the next step is to determine who is going to do what and by when. Assigning roles and dates are great ways to help make sure good intentions become reality. Agreeing that it makes sense to purchase health aids or make change within the home is one thing. Actually doing it is often another.
Other Resources:
For assistance with products and services- www.AgeNet.com