Kathy MacaraegHiring the Right Caregiver
Making the decision to hire a caregiver is stressful. Once you decide your aging parent needs outside help, you need to take the next step to find the right person. Whether you are hiring an independent caregiver or going through an agency, you need to be sure that your hired caregiver is a good fit for your family. How do you know if you’ve hired the right person? Hiring the Right Caregiver I have worked with many families over the years and have met good and bad caregivers. There are certain traits that were common among good caregivers. Hiring the Right Caregiver
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Guest BloggerGPS SmartSole® Is a Game Changer for Caregiving
GPS SmartSole® is a discreet trackable smartphone hidden in a shoe insole. GPS SmartSole®is enormously helpful if you are worried your loved one may wonder or get lost. This patented product is a game changer for caregivers of people with dementia, Alzheimer’s, autism or other developmental disabilities. 60% of them will become “lost” at least once. 70% of those will become “lost” 3 or more times. 46% of wanders not found within 24 hours may die. GPS SmartSole® is water resistant and sealed in a trim-able shoe insole. It uses GPS and cellular technology, is charged about every day, and
Continue readingHow to Prevent Caregiver Loneliness
Combat the Isolation of Caregiving Caregiving can be incredibly isolating. Between managing two households and family obligations, there isn’t much time left for socializing. Unfortunately, social isolation can be just as detrimental to a caregiver’s health, as it is to your caree. Loneliness has been linked to both physical and emotional health problems. Combat the Isolation of Caregiving Unfortunately, not all caregivers start their caregiving journey in good health. Even caregivers who start out healthy can experience health problems as a result of ignoring your own well-being for an extended period of time. The last thing caregivers need is to struggle
Continue readingHow to find Caregiving Support for Low Income Loved Ones
Caregiving isn’t just emotionally and physically demanding. It can get expensive. On average, caregivers spend between $5,000 and $20,000 per year on caregiving expenses. Between co-pays for medication or medical appointments to caregiving support or devices and equipment, the expenses add up quickly. This isn’t even including general housing and nutritional needs. If you are lucky, your parent planned ahead or was employed by a company that offered a pension. If not, where do you turn to get assistance with the overwhelming costs? National Resources For Low Income Seniors While it may take time to get set up in the
Continue readingSuper Quick Self-Care for Caregivers
If you only have a few minutes to practice self-care, these are my favorite activities to squeeze into my day. Morning or Evening Stretches: If you are pressed for time in the morning, get ready for bed just a few minutes earlier and do a few simple stretches before you get into bed. Pick a few body parts that are tight and try to loosen them. If you don’t know what stretches to do, do a quick Google search for stretches and the part of the body you want to work. You’ll find pictures or videos that will walk you
Continue readingTop 10 Caregiver Hacks
How to Simplify Caregiving and Make It More Manageable Sixty percent of caregivers are employed full-time. Between work and running a household, there isn’t a lot of extra time for caregiving duties. Unfortunately, caregiving is full of never-ending to do lists and tasks to accomplish for yourself, your caree and your family. Top 10 Caregiver Hacks The stress from caregiving can lead to health issues such as a higher risk for chronic illness, a weakened immune system and depression and anxiety. What can you do to reduce the caregiving stress? I’ve pulled together a list of my 10 favorite tools for
Continue readingMoving An Elderly Parent Closer to Your Home
Setting Up a Multi-Generational Household Isn’t Just About Moving Furniture A sudden fall or illness can make a family rethink their living situation. If an aging parent has been living well independently for years, a sudden health crisis can bring up a big decision for a family. Do you move a formerly independent parent in with you to better care for them? Moving An Elderly Parent Closer to Your Home Most families decide to move their mom or dad in with them as soon as possible. It is easier to move a parent to you than to move your family to
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Kendall VanBlarcomHow to Help a Senior with Parkinson’s
If you are taking care of a loved one with Parkinson’s, you are not alone. Here are a few suggestions on how to help a senior with Parkinson’s. Educate Yourself When there is a new diagnosis, often families don’t know where to turn. Getting all the information you can may help. Particularly if you are feeling a lack of control. Talk to a health care professional about exercise options, learn about various medications and treatments, and learn about the progression of Parkinson’s, so you will be aware of what changes may occur over time. In addition, reach out to support
Continue readingCaring for Someone Who Doesn’t Want Help
Admitting you need help is hard. Especially when you used to be the one people went to for help. Suddenly, people are telling you what you should do or what you can’t do. Most seniors, regardless of what the outside looks like, still feel like their old selves, so when their adult children start treating them like a frail person who needs assistance, they can resist. Caring for Someone Who Doesn’t Want Help So how can you respectfully help your independent mother or father accept help, whether from you or a hired caregiver, so that they can continue their independent lifestyle
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