Caregiver
CIRCLE BY TORIE TEMPL
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Alarming On occasion loved ones can forget to take daily medications. Kayla Cook, registered nurse and owner of Caring Excellence Personalized Home Services, says a weekly medication planner with an alarm is a helpful way to remind loved ones that it’s time to take their pills. Also, adult children can fill their loved one’s planner each week to make sure dosage is correct and that there are not any missed medications.
Dressing Up Dressing can be a problem when mobility is an issue, but Cheryl Hepp Basham, retired project manager for Jefferson County Public Schools, offers ideas on how to ease the dressing dilemma. “Gather complete outfits together for easy access,” Cheryl suggests. “Slacks, shirts, undergarments, and socks could be placed together for one-stop access. These could be stacked together on a shelf, in a drawer, or items could be placed together in a two-gallon baggie.” Cheryl also recommends purchasing shirts and slacks with buttons and plackets that have hidden Velcro for easy fastening.
Keeping Private Book It “I just read a wonderful book called Swallow Safely by Roya Sayadi and Joel Herskowitz, MD,” says Dan Heins, IT director for Humana. “They provide great information about how the swallowing process is supposed to work, what happens when it doesn’t work properly, how to recognize swallowing problems, how to treat them, and how to do a mindful and safe swallow.” 18 todaystransitionsnow.com | Winter 2017/2018
Becky Beanblossom, owner of Home Instead Senior Care, says those with dementia do not always like closed doors because it makes them feel trapped or closed off. So, how do caregivers make certain privacy is a priority? Becky suggests, “The best way to maintain privacy is to ensure your loved one is doing private things like toileting and dressing in nonpublic places. This means that you guide and direct the action so that it is not initiated in the wrong place. For example, if you have your loved one on a bowel and bladder program, it is unlikely they will have to use the restroom in an area that has not been designated or where they may reveal themselves inappropriately.”
Caring for Caregivers It’s important for caregivers to have downtime. Call on friends and family to help when feeling fatigued. Inform your house of worship of your needs or ask for a hospice volunteer. It is crucial for caregivers to care for themselves.