Archive for the ‘Caregiving’ Category
Father’s Day is just around the corner, and many of us are on the search for that perfect gift. Instead of scrambling for a last-minute gift this Father’s Day, why not give the gift of your time? Here are three affordable ways you can bond with dad, and it will surely be a gift he’ll remember. Get Active. 
Do you find yourself turning up the volume on your TV or radio? Asking people to repeat themselves during conversation because you think they’re mumbling? Or straining to hear phone conversations? You may be experiencing the first symptoms of hearing loss. You aren’t alone. According to the Public Health Agency of Canada, more than 30 percent of people 65 and older have some level of hearing loss. What causes hearing loss? Aging can cause it, but that’s not the only reason. There are different types of hearing impairment: inner ear loss caused by noise damage; presbycusis, in which high-pitched sounds are muffled; conductive hearing loss, where sound is blocked from getting through to the inner ear; central deafness, often caused by stroke or head injury; and tinnitus, the annoying ringing or buzzing that can impair your ability to understand conversation. No matter the cause, hearing loss is serious. It not only affects safety levels and the physical sense of hearing, but can also lead to withdrawal from family, friends and social situations. The most important thing is to recognize it —and then do something about it. Get a hearing test from an audiologist. Ask your doctor for advice. And look for hearing helpers that let you enjoy watching TV or talking with friends without straining or requiring that others speak loudly.
My grandfather was a great cook. His specialty was an amazing curry dish, something he learned to make while he lived overseas, and my father was a little boy. Growing up, my siblings and I would beg our grandfather to make curry for our family dinners. I have my own family now. And last year, after a traditional Christmas dinner that was just too much stress for my grandmother to make, we decided on a new tradition: Christmas Curry. We all enjoyed it so much we’re doing it again this year. Curry is easy to make (you can even make it in advance, taking the stress out of holiday cooking), and it gave us more time to enjoy each other’s company and exchange gifts. My father is doing something new this year, too. He is taking all of my grandfather’s slides and converting them to digital images. He sent me more than 100 images this week, and I’m turning them into a photo book for my children and siblings. It’s an easy gift to put together (just use popular photo websites or software on your own computer). It’s a gift that is sure to be long treasured. Creating new traditions that fit your lifestyle is important at any age. It can even make the holidays extra special for everyone. - Kara Carter
You may want to see if your health insurance provider has a helpline. Just last week when my 22-year-old daughter cut her hand and didn’t want to listen to motherly advice about how to stop the bleeding, I suggested she call the helpline. The nurse said to hold her hand above her heart and apply a cold, wet washcloth with gentle pressure for seven minutes. Because the blood slowed, she was told to repeat for seven more minutes and skip the trip to Urgent Care. Another resource your health insurance provider may offer is a nurse advocate. While they can offer support from weight loss to exercise, they can also provide support for serious health conditions and chronic conditions. Having a long-distance coach who checked in with him every two weeks helped motivate my husband to shed those 20 extra pounds and lower his blood pressure like his doctor had been nagging him to do. While Googling health issues can lead to scary and inaccurate information, there are good resources for free information on the internet. You just have to be picky about who you listen to. Don’t panic and think the worst… and be sure to ask your doctor about it! The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has healthy living tips as well as support for diseases and conditions. The Mayo Clinic offers lots of information online. Usually the organization that supports your particular ailment offers current, sound advice. (If you Google your condition, look to organizations with a web address that end in “.org”.) For support, you may want to explore the Health & Wellness Support Groups on Yahoo.com. You’ll find groups that address serious issues such as cancer (by specific type) as well as chronic conditions such as diabetes, arthritis, back pain and more. You can even find support for your pet’s ailments. Some groups are sponsored by National Organizations. Just be aware that these groups are made up of other patients, so be selective in which groups you subscribe to.
As a caregiver, you also know how important it is to stay informed about the latest product developments in mobility, vision, better sleep and more. Scientists and designers who specialize in adaptive products have made great advances in helping people with health or aging issues lead happier, engaged and more independent lives. All too often, however, it is the caregiver who needs support. Caring for others, especially for those with debilitating or chronic conditions, can be so stressful, it can take a great toll on the caregiver’s health and well being. There are online resources to help you cope. Check out Caring.com the Family Caregiver Alliance and the National Family Caregivers Association. And be sure to check with your local county or state Aging Services department. They can direct you to programs and services to help your loved ones. Gold Violin has a new Caregiving Solutions category with products that help you help others. Request a catalog by calling toll free 1-877-648-8400.
|
The legendary actress Bette Davis once said, “old age isn’t for sissies.” The same can be said for those who give of their time, money and emotions to caring for others. Whether you are the caregiver for a spouse, parent, child, aunt or uncle, or you are a professional with several clients under your care, you know the meaning of bravery and commitment. In caregiving, no sissies are allowed!
