2014, Blog Posts, September 2014

Tuesday’s Caregiving Tip’s, 09/16/14

by  • 

Good Morning, Afternoon and Evening,

(Depending on where you are.)

     With me training for the upcoming, 2014′ Walk To End Alzheimer’s 5K the 1st weekend of November and yes I did say training.  Due to a low back injury and now chronic low back pain (21 years) I have to strengthen my back to prepare for this venture.  While getting into caring for my mother and brother in-law I meet GJ and her husband Steve in an online caregiving site and became great friends.  They recently started up a team for the 2014′ Walk To End Alzheimer’s 5K I decided I would join them in support of their upcoming journey. See Steve was recently diagnosed with the early stages of Alzheimer s.   With my back issues it “will” take me longer than most to finish, but I guarantee I will complete it rain or shine.  If you would like to sponsor me for the walk, or know of someone doing the walk and would like to sponsor them (any donation will be gratefully accepted) please go to my personal Walk To End Alzheimer’s webpage at:  http://act.alz.org/goto/kreis64.

     If you have a family member who has Alzheimer’s or know of someone who does please pass these twelve tips I found under, Education and Care, Caregiving Tips: Strategies for Success on the Alzheimer’s webpage at http://www.alzfdn.org/EducationandCare/strategiesforsuccess.htm.  I hope at least one person has a need for at least one of these tips.

Alzheimer's Foundation of America

Education and Care

Caregiving Tips: Strategies for Success

  1. Educate yourself about the disease. Read books, attend workshops and consult with healthcare professionals. Subscribe to AFA’s free caregiver magazine, care ADvantage. Avoid caregiver burnout. Make time for yourself. Join caregiver support groups and discussion boards. Pursue interests beyond your caregiving role, such as exercise, hobbies, journaling and art. Visit www.carecrossroads.org to see mini-documentaries featuring family caregivers and to read caregivers’ creative contributions.
  2. Learn caregiving techniques. Key areas are communication skills, safety concerns, and managing behavioral challenges and activities of daily living.
  3. Understand the experience of your loved one. Adjust your expectations. Be patient and kind.
  4. Avoid caregiver burnout. Make time for yourself. Join caregiver support groups. Pursue interests beyond your caregiving role, such as exercise, hobbies, journaling and art.
  5. Maintain your own physical and mental health. Exercise, respite and other activities can reduce stress. Seek medical help if there are signs of depression.
  6. Discuss the situation with family and friends. Support systems are critical.
  7. Do cognitive stimulation activities with your loved one. Listening to music, word puzzles and memory games can easily be done at home.
  8. Foster communication with physicians. Be involved in your loved one’s medical care. Ask questions about the progression of the disease, express concerns and discuss treatment options.
  9. Take care of financial, legal and long-term care planning issues. Try to involve your loved one in decision-making, if they are still capable of providing input, and consider their wishes related to future care and end-of-life issues.
  10. Smile. Kindness, humor and creativity are essential parts of caregiving. Hugs, hand massage and other gentle physical contact will help your loved one feel connected and loved.
  11. Think positive. Focus on your loved one’s remaining strengths and enjoy your relationship while you are still able to.
  12. Reach out for care. Call the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America—866.232.8484, for counseling, information and referrals to local resources nationwide.

 Thank you in advance for taking the time out of your busy to read my blog post and for reading up on the above tips relating to Alzheimer’s.

Namaste’

Richard K.
PickYourPain@att.net
www.PickYourPain.org

Richard is a Tri-Fecta caregiver, along with his wife he cares for himself, with Chronic Back Pain which he’s had for 21 years.  He cares for his brother in-law,Robert who lives with him and who has been dealing with Epilepsy his entire life.  He also advocates for his mother who has various cardiac related issues, severe hearing loss and other medical issues.  You can read about his experiences with chronic pain and how he deals with his mothers and brother in-law’s issues on PickYourPain.org or at Caregiving.com.  He is also involved in several of Caregiving.com’s support groups and chat rooms, he is co-host of an internet based radio show pertaining to caregiving. Richard is also a patient adviser, board member for Intake.me which is working to improve the intake process at medical facilities. Richard has three adult children who despite them having to deal with his medical issues, he says, “They have turned out better than I’d hoped for.”