Take a couple of minutes to watch this video about making the hard decisions and advanced directives.
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Useful Tips for Alzheimers Care in Troy, MO
Reviewing Some Useful Tips For Better Alzheimer Care
Author: MIKE SELVON
When the Alzheimers diagnosis first hits you, it can feel devastating and overwhelming. Alzheimers patients often feel angry and fall into the "Why Me?" syndrome, while caregivers suffer with helplessness and uncertainty about how the disease will progress. For the 5 million patients and their families, Alzheimer care can go on for as many as 20 years, so learning how to cope and seeking education on the matter is crucial.
The medical difficulty of Alzheimers is that no two patients progress at the same rate or exhibit the same Alzheimers symptoms. Some Alzheimers patients are prone to wandering off or forget that they are unable to drive a car.
Other earlier signs of alzheimers include misplacing keys, forgetting names and becoming irrationally upset without remembering why. In the worst stages, the patient can no longer speak or recognize friends and family.
"Each individual is so unique, so different, there is no black and white or this is how you take care (of the patient)," says Connie Kudlacek, former director of the Alzheimers Association Midlands Chapter. "Instead of focusing on the negatives, we need to look at the positives and find an opportunity to continue to nurture their personality and give them an opportunity for success, even in the later stages."
The emotional difficulty of caring for someone with Alzheimers is the "losing and grieving while providing the care because Charlie isn't Charlie anymore," relates Professor Jacquelyn Frank at the Frank of Ulndy's Center For Aging & Community. She describes the feelings as "anticipatory grief," which refers to the fear of losing someone before they've even died, and "ambiguous loss," which is the discordant feeling of caring for someone who is physically alive but socially lacking. Frank highlights the importance of airing out emotions in an Alzheimers support group to maintain a positive attitude in the face of such isolation and hopelessness.
Reducing frustrations is one tactic that will help you provide effective Alzheimer care. At first you may struggle with your loved one trying to bathe or feed them, but over time you'll get to know their natural schedule of when they are most agreeable.
Established routines can help make the day less unpredictable and more manageable for the Alzheimers patient and you. Limiting difficult decision-making is very helpful for the Alzheimers caregiver. For instance, a closet full of clothes may be intimidating, whereas a choice between two outfits may be totally do-able.
You may sometimes feel like you're walking on egg shells when communicating with a loved one who requires Alzheimer care. Frustrations can flare up tempers and it can be hard to understand the root of the problem. Sometimes Alzheimers patients forget words or substitute incorrect words. They can lose their train of thought, require more time deciphering your words or they may curse incessantly.
The stages of Alzheimers can change suddenly, without warning. You can help by remaining patient, making eye contact while listening, using visual cues and keeping your language simple, as well as avoiding criticism, interrupting and arguing.
There are many different Alzheimer care treatment options, depending on the severity of the illness and your budget. Many caregivers try to keep their loved one at home for as long as possible, looking into products that may safeguard them from an accident or heightened confusion. Other family members may try splitting their time with the patient so he or she is never left alone.
There are specialized caregivers, such as "Comfort Keepers," who make house calls as well. There are adult day care centers, which allow family members to continue working their normal schedules while the Alzheimer patient receives care or participates in planned activities. Lastly, there are long term care facilities that fully address the needs of Alzheimers patients 24/7.
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/reviewing-some-useful-tips-for-better-alzheimer-care-442020.html
About the AuthorEnrich your knowledge further about alzheimer care from Mike Selvon portal. We appreciate your feedback at our nursing care blog where a free gift awaits you.
Author: MIKE SELVON
When the Alzheimers diagnosis first hits you, it can feel devastating and overwhelming. Alzheimers patients often feel angry and fall into the "Why Me?" syndrome, while caregivers suffer with helplessness and uncertainty about how the disease will progress. For the 5 million patients and their families, Alzheimer care can go on for as many as 20 years, so learning how to cope and seeking education on the matter is crucial.
The medical difficulty of Alzheimers is that no two patients progress at the same rate or exhibit the same Alzheimers symptoms. Some Alzheimers patients are prone to wandering off or forget that they are unable to drive a car.
Other earlier signs of alzheimers include misplacing keys, forgetting names and becoming irrationally upset without remembering why. In the worst stages, the patient can no longer speak or recognize friends and family.
"Each individual is so unique, so different, there is no black and white or this is how you take care (of the patient)," says Connie Kudlacek, former director of the Alzheimers Association Midlands Chapter. "Instead of focusing on the negatives, we need to look at the positives and find an opportunity to continue to nurture their personality and give them an opportunity for success, even in the later stages."
The emotional difficulty of caring for someone with Alzheimers is the "losing and grieving while providing the care because Charlie isn't Charlie anymore," relates Professor Jacquelyn Frank at the Frank of Ulndy's Center For Aging & Community. She describes the feelings as "anticipatory grief," which refers to the fear of losing someone before they've even died, and "ambiguous loss," which is the discordant feeling of caring for someone who is physically alive but socially lacking. Frank highlights the importance of airing out emotions in an Alzheimers support group to maintain a positive attitude in the face of such isolation and hopelessness.
Reducing frustrations is one tactic that will help you provide effective Alzheimer care. At first you may struggle with your loved one trying to bathe or feed them, but over time you'll get to know their natural schedule of when they are most agreeable.
Established routines can help make the day less unpredictable and more manageable for the Alzheimers patient and you. Limiting difficult decision-making is very helpful for the Alzheimers caregiver. For instance, a closet full of clothes may be intimidating, whereas a choice between two outfits may be totally do-able.
You may sometimes feel like you're walking on egg shells when communicating with a loved one who requires Alzheimer care. Frustrations can flare up tempers and it can be hard to understand the root of the problem. Sometimes Alzheimers patients forget words or substitute incorrect words. They can lose their train of thought, require more time deciphering your words or they may curse incessantly.
The stages of Alzheimers can change suddenly, without warning. You can help by remaining patient, making eye contact while listening, using visual cues and keeping your language simple, as well as avoiding criticism, interrupting and arguing.
There are many different Alzheimer care treatment options, depending on the severity of the illness and your budget. Many caregivers try to keep their loved one at home for as long as possible, looking into products that may safeguard them from an accident or heightened confusion. Other family members may try splitting their time with the patient so he or she is never left alone.
There are specialized caregivers, such as "Comfort Keepers," who make house calls as well. There are adult day care centers, which allow family members to continue working their normal schedules while the Alzheimer patient receives care or participates in planned activities. Lastly, there are long term care facilities that fully address the needs of Alzheimers patients 24/7.
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/reviewing-some-useful-tips-for-better-alzheimer-care-442020.html
About the AuthorEnrich your knowledge further about alzheimer care from Mike Selvon portal. We appreciate your feedback at our nursing care blog where a free gift awaits you.
Friday, January 22, 2010
Friends, Family and Criminals Could Steal from the Elders in Our Care in Troy, MO
Crimes against the elderly are on the increase. They are being robbed by their adult children, grandchildren, other relatives, caregivers, friends and strangers. How do we protect the loved ones in our care? Being more aware of the problem can help us spot potential problems. Take a minute to read the following article:
Preying on elderly: An age-old problem worsens
Preying on elderly: An age-old problem worsens
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Home Safety Tips for Parkinson's Sufferers from Comfort Keepers Elderly Care in Troy, MO
I know a man with Parkinson's who recently had a serious fall that resulted in a several day hospital stay. Having Parkinson's increases the risk of falling due to many factors. The following article lists ways you can help your loved one with Parkinson's reduce these risks. Many of these tips can be used for anyone with mobility and balance problems.
Safety Tips for Parkinson’s Disease
Safety Tips for Parkinson’s Disease
Monday, January 18, 2010
Physical Therapists Role in Stroke Care from Comfort Keepers Senior Care in Troy, MO
Physical Therapy for Stroke Survivors
Author: Gia PattersonWhat a Physical Therapist Does
A physical therapist treats a person to relieve pain, build up and restore muscle function, and maintain the best possible performance. The therapist does this by using physical means such as active and passive exercise, massage, heat, water, and electricity. Broadly speaking, a physical therapist:
· sets up the goals of treatment with patient and family
· shows how to use special equipment
· instructs in routine daily functions
· teaches safe ways to move
· sets up and teaches an exercise program
NOTE: The American Physical Therapy Association, often located in the state capital, can provide a list of licensed therapists.
What a Physical Therapist Determines
Depending on a person's physical condition, a therapist may work on range-of-motion exercises, correct body positions when resting, devices to help the person in your care, and other simple ways to improve daily functions. A physical therapist checks things that can affect a person's daily activities:
· the person's attitude toward his situation
· how well he can move his muscles and joints (range of motion)
· his ability to see, smell, hear, and feel
· what he can do on his own and what he needs to learn
· his equipment needs, now and in the future
· what can be improved in the home to make moving around safer and more comfortable
· who can and will help to give support
Range-of-Motion (ROM) Exercises
The purpose of range-of-motion exercises is to relieve pain, maintain normal body alignment (positions), help prevent skin swelling and breakdown, and promote bone formation. A ROM exercise program should be started before deformities develop. Here are some things to do when you are asked to help with exercises at home:
· Communicate what you are doing.
· Use the flats of both hands, not the fingertips, to hold a body part.
· Take each movement only as far as the joint will go into a comfortable stretch. (Mild discomfort is okay, but it should go away quickly.)
· Do each exercise 3 to 5 times.
· Use slow steady movements to help relax muscles and increase joint range.
· If joints are swollen and painful, exercise very gently.
Proper Positions to Use When Resting:
· flat on the back or no more than 30° raised
· prone (lying flat) on the stomach (for up to 20 to 30 minutes only, not for sleeping)
· one-quarter left or right turn onto the back
· three-quarters right or left turn on to the stomach
· aided by special positioning devices (for example, splints for leg, foot, hand, or back support)
Caring.com Editorial Team
Caring.com features original content focused exclusively on eldercare matters. Our 20+ editors and writers research and fact-check every article meticulously, and our advisory board reviews the site regularly to assure the accuracy and relevance of the material we publish. We have hundreds of articles and checklists on health, housing, finance, legal and family issues, and other caregiving concerns, and we're adding new articles and other resources every day.
Stroke Physical Therapy
Article Source: ArticlesBase.com - Physical Therapy for Stroke Survivors
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Questions for Your Aging Parents from Comfort Keepers Senior Care in Troy, MO
It's hard enough approuching your parents about their plans and finances as they age, but do you even know what to ask? The following link has a checklist for the more important things you may need to know about.
Questions to Ask Aging Parents
Questions to Ask Aging Parents
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
