Category: Newsletter

Most people will become caregivers, or need one, at some point. We know that cognitive and memory impairments can change how a person thinks, acts, and feels. These changes often present special challenges for families and caregivers. They may need help with activities of daily living, such as bathing, assistance with dressing, transferring from bed to a chair or wheelchair, toileting, or other personal care. This is where extra care or support is needed. If the family doesn’t live close, they may need to hire outside services to come in and assist with care and companionship.

At Caring Friends In-Home Care, they are there to help assist with daily needs. Their caregivers encourage participation and engagement as much as possible. This is what they call collaborative caregiving. The goal is to develop a relationship with clients and help keep them physically and mentally active.

Caring Friends believes In-Home Care is more than just completing tasks on a list — they offer personalized care that helps clients enjoy their time and improve their quality of life. By focusing on collaborative caregiving, Caring Friends can elevate the quality of clients and their families’ lives.

“With the fast-approaching holiday season upon us, we know that this time of year is all about spending a great time with family and friends, enjoying great food, and creating memories,” said Jill Strouf, LPN, Caring Friends case manager. “Although the season can be joyous for most of us, many seniors may find the holiday season confusing, hectic, and even depressing based on their health conditions. The season tends to carry several changes to daily routines and, these shifts can stress seniors out too.”

The good news is that we can help and support our loved ones in overcoming these conditions by following some helpful tips from Jill like including your family member in the holiday event or meal planning, making some of their favorite meals using their recipes, guiding a life review by looking at family photo albums, reviving old family traditions, and keeping your loved one involved.

Can breast cancer be found early?
Breast cancer is sometimes found after symptoms appear, but many women with breast cancer have no symptoms. This is why regular breast cancer screening is so important.

What do Imaging Tests help to detect?
Different tests can be used to look for and diagnose breast cancer. If your doctor finds an area of concern on a screening test (a mammogram), or if you have symptoms that could mean breast cancer, you will need more tests to know for sure if it’s cancer.

*Get regular physical activity.
Regular, moderate-to-vigorous physical activity — even in small increments — can boost your energy level. Exercise reduces stress, helps you maintain a healthy weight, and can help you keep your blood pressure and cholesterol at healthy levels. Walking is a great way to get started, even if you only walk around the yard.

*Maintain a heart-healthy diet.
A healthy diet will give you more energy. Eating well can help prevent other health problems, too. If you have to “eat on the run,” try to choose nutritious snacks.

* Make time for yourself.
Take time every day for an activity you enjoy, such as reading, walking, crafts, cooking or listening to music. Whatever makes you happy and relaxes you can be therapeutic. Keep humor in your life. It’s true — laughter is good medicine. Try to find humor in your life every day. Watch a silly TV program or go to a movie that tickles your funny bone. Find things to laugh about with the loved one in your care — that person needs joy, too!

* Get out and about.
At least once a week, break out of your routine and go somewhere enjoyable. Visit the local coffee shop, attend religious events, take a class, visit a friend or just wander around the mall. If your loved one needs constant attention, ask for help. It’s likely that someone will be happy to give up an hour or two a week so that you can get out for a breath of fresh air.

* Watch out for depression.
The demands placed on you as a caregiver can be difficult and stressful. If you are experiencing signs of signs of depression, talk to your health care professional. Often, depression can be managed with talk therapy or medication.

* Take care of business.
Keep your finances in check, work when you need to and don’t stop planning for the future. If you allow yourself to be totally immersed in your caregiver responsibilities, it can be harder to re-integrate into life later on. Keep living.

* Keep medical and dental appointments.
Do all you can to maintain your health. If you’re sick, you won’t be able to care for your loved one. Ask for help when you need it so you can get away for your own medical appointments and take care of your health and well-being.

* Think positive.
Take time every day to refresh your mind. Recognize your limitations and make peace with them. Let go of guilt. Pat yourself on the back for the job you’re doing. If you’re feeling guilty or angry, take a break.

* Stay connected with the outside world.
Don’t allow yourself to become isolated. Stay connected with family and friends, even if it’s just by phone or online. Talk to friends about something other than your role as a caregiver.

Desire

To be a great caregiver, you need to have the desire to learn all you can about performing the duties of a caregiver, the desire to perform those senior care duties to the best of your ability, and the desire to deliver care coupled with compassion.

Any agency you work with should help you learn about your duties and show you how to perform them, whether it be through training classes or shadowing another caregiver. But you have to bring the desire to learn, practice, and perform those duties with excellence.

The strongest desire you need to bring is your desire to be compassionate in your work – to truly care about your client’s well-being and put their needs above yours as you go through your day. Showing compassion to the person you’re caring for is more than just doing something for them; it’s showing them that you care about them while you’re doing it.

Dedication

The best caregivers are dedicated to their work. They see caregiving as a lot more than just a job or a paycheck; they see it as a calling. Being a professional caregiver isn’t easy work. A caregiver exerts a lot of physical and mental energy every day. They have to constantly be aware of what their client is doing or wants to do, how they’re feeling, and how they can help. This may entail sitting down and reading with a client or bustling around the kitchen as you prepare a meal for them.

To have that energy day in and day out takes dedication. Dedication to the client, dedication to your work, and dedication to representing your agency professionally. It’s that dedication that separates the good from the great.

Diligence

The Oxford Dictionary defines diligence as “careful or persistent work or effort.” Another way to say it is “work ethic.”

Being a caregiver requires a strong work ethic. You have to work a full day consistently; not just physically be there, but give all of yourself all day.

Part of your day requires exerting yourself physically as you care for a client. For example, you’ll often need to help them in and out of the bathtub or shower, move steadily from a bed to a chair, do light housekeeping around their home, or go grocery shopping with them.

You also have to be diligent to engage mentally and emotionally with your client every day. Older adults need mental stimulation, whether it be reading a book together, watching a game show, or playing a game of checkers or rummy.