Caregivers - Take A Break!

It is estimated that approximately 25% of the American population is helping a relative with personal cares. By personal cares, I mean companionship, housekeeping, assistance with bathing and grooming, meal planning and preparation, exercises, mobility assistance, monitoring medications, incontinent/toilet care, transportation and errands, child care, etc. That estimate will only continue to rise as today Americans are living longer than ever.

There is no place like home and for the elderly and disabled, living at home provides a better quality of life and it is usually less costly than other alternatives. But what about the caregivers? It can be absolutely exhausting to help a loved one 24/7! As a registered nurse in the field of home-care for several years, I have seen so many caregivers that rarely take a break for themselves. It is imperative that these caregivers take breaks and take care of their own health.

As a nurse, I can understand the wish to help a loved one at all costs. However, you need to have respite time - go out to dinner or to a movie or even take a nap! There are plenty of home-care businesses that will relieve you for even a couple of hours, maybe a whole weekend. There are also friends and other relatives that can give you a break - don't be afraid to ask. Caregivers are so special and I admire all of you, but do yourself a favor and take a break!

5 Ways To Help Keep Memory Alive At Home!

Another field of nursing that I have enjoyed is working with the elderly population. Many times I have encountered seniors in a home setting that display signs and symptoms of dementia, and/or Alzheimer's. There are 5 specific things these patients can do to keep their mind sharp and their memory alive:

• Find something they love to do and keep that favorite thing going everyday, i.e. take a walk in the park, watch their favorite television show or read articles in a magazine. Go to the Internet and learn more about their favorite subject.
• Keep life simple; follow a schedule everyday. Eat at particular times, keep hair appointments to one specific day a week, enjoy a meal out once a week, on the same day.
  
• Get lots of rest - take a nap if one feels tired, but don't sleep the day away. Get up at the same time each day, bathe and then have a nutritious breakfast each and every day!
• Go through scrap books and old pictures, reminding them of family members - their names, ages, etc.
• Get a dog or a cat so that the patient has some responsibility and company in the home. Pet therapy is one of the best methods known to keep a person happy and healthy.

There are many other ways to keep that memory going, but I have found these 5 to be of particular value. These tips are not expensive and they keep the elderly patient with memory problems in check.