Caregiver: Solutions

One Daughter’s Story: And Why She is Glad She Uprooted Her Life

When I arrived, Dad was still in the neurological unit of the hospital. He had a left hip replacement after he fell and broke his hip. At some point, he also suffered a stroke that took away the use of his left arm. I had just driven with my two cockapoos and my cat 800 miles to get to town.

For the next month and a half, Dad was taken back and forth between hospitals and rehab/nursing care for a variety of reasons. Once, because they thought he had aspirated, once because the incision on his hip became infected, once because of an UTI (urinary tract infection), which appeared to be an on-going battle because of the catheter, once because he fell out of bed.

In a span of 45 days, my dad was transferred 10 times. With every move came changes in staff, in buildings, in protocol. For someone who has just had a fall, a stroke and surgery, even small changes such as the remote control, can cause much confusion.

Read more about what Cathy Wise has learned from being a daughter/caregiver for the past three-plus years on TodaysTransitions.com. Search: Cathy Wise

CAREGIVERS, WHAT DO YOU NEED?

The responsibility for another’s physical and emotional well-being can be draining. It’s important to draw strength from a source of faith, knowing God sees your care and love of another. Have one or two close friends who will listen to you and offer encouragement. Keep laughter and joy in your life. Eat well. Get rest and exercise. Remember you do not need to do this alone. —Kayla Cook, RN and Owner of Caring Excellence Personalized Home Care Services

ENCOURAGE RELUCTANT BATHERS

There are all kinds of reasons someone might be hesitant to take showers. If you find that your loved one is not bathing as regularly as you feel necessary, here are some suggestions. 1. Be patient. Avoid escalating conversations that can make them more resistant to bathing. 2. Talk with them. Have a conversation to identify the problem so you can work toward a solution. If they are cold when using the shower chair, add a small heater in the bathroom to keep them warm. 3. Invest in the right equipment. Make sure to have grab bars and shower chairs to help your loved one feel safe. 4. Use a calendar to help them remember when they have bathed. 5. Respect their privacy. Allow them to wash their own private parts if they are able, and use towels and robes to help maintain their privacy as much as possible. — Elisabeth Knight, Clinical Manager, MSSW, Caring Excellence

LEARN ABOUT SOMEONE’S STORIES

Everyone has interesting stories to tell. Start simple. Start from the beginning by asking: "When and where were you born? Tell me about your parents, siblings, childhood home, school, memories...." Let one thing lead to another and watch the expressions on their faces as they slip between happy and sad memories and proud moments of a lifetime. Record those stories and give a copy to their family if you have permission to do so. It's a wonderful way to learn about the past and record it for future generations. — Joanne Flatt, Regional Director, Bluebird Homecare

Look And Feel Your Best With These Tech Solutions

Devices to Help With Dressing and Grooming

By Vanessa Hutchison

For some, daily dressing and grooming may seem like an exhausting obstacle. Physical and mental challenges can make self-care tasks difficult. The importance of daily grooming and dressing, however, is clear; it not only boosts self-esteem and mood, but helps to establish a daily routine, which can help with memory and alertness, and provides a natural form of exercise, which can help to maintain strength and decrease muscle and joint stiffness. For those struggling to continue dressing and grooming themselves, technology can provide some helpful solutions.

HANDS FREE HAIR DRYER STAND

Drying hair after a bath or shower can be a challenge. Hair dryers can feel heavy after several minutes, and hair can be difficult to reach. But a Hands Free Hair Dryer Stand can relieve much of the strain associated with grooming. Without having to hold the hair dryer, drying hair becomes a far easier process for those with weakness in the arms. $25, arthritissupplies.com

WEIGHTED RAZOR CUFF

While older adults may want to shave themselves, this task might be made difficult by shaky hands. The Weighted Razor Cuff has a pocket that holds a disposable razor, as well as a comfortable strap that keeps it secure in hand, while hidden weights help to steady unwanted shaking for shaving. $33, thewrightstuff.com

DRESSEZ DRESSING STICK

If limited mobility and flexibility are causing difficulty with getting dressed, a dressing stick may be the solution. While there are a number of these on the market, the long stick, comfortable grip, and s-hook end on the DressEZ Dressing Stick make it useful for those struggling with socks and shoes, as well as other aspects of dressing. Starting at $36, rehab-store.com

ADAPTIVE CLOTHING

Some of the most interesting and useful technology for helping older adults get dressed may be in the clothes themselves. Adaptive clothing helps those with mobility issues by incorporating magnetic closures, adjusted hems and openings, and mindful design. While adaptive clothing used to be limited to a few brands that focused solely on creating clothes for the elderly and disabled, mainstream brands have more recently risen to the challenge of making adaptive clothing stylish. Tommy Hilfiger now carries the Tommy Adaptive line, while the UGG Universal collection includes boots that are easy to get on and off, ensuring that older adults needn’t sacrifice style for simplicity.

While dressing and grooming may be difficult, advances in assistive technology ensure that older adults can maintain their independence longer. Challenges with mobility and flexibility do not have to be obstacles to independence and aging in place. These tools and others can help older adults continue living a fulfilling and inspiring life.