Archive for the ‘Caregiver Burnout’ Category

What sort of training is typical of a geriatric care manager?

Posted on: April 23rd, 2012 by aagingbetter

Knowing the credentials of a geriatric care manager (GCM) or geriatric agency can also help explain how a GCM or agency will advocate on behalf of your loved one.  Geriatric care agencies and managers are trained and experienced in one or more fields related to health and long-term care options, including, but not limited to:

  • Nursing
  • Gerontology (the field of elderly, over 65 year olds)
  • Social work
  • Psychology, with a specialized focus on issues related to aging and elder care

Plus, professional geriatric care managers and agencies have a combined working knowledge of:

  • Human development
  • Health and psychology
  • Family dynamics
  • Public and private resources and funding sources

Besides older adults and their families, geriatric care management services are appropriate for:

  • A company whose employee is losing work time because of caregiving responsibilities
  • An attorney or trust officer who is managing the estate of an older adult and that elderly individual needs in-home care to remain safely and effectively at home
  • A physician who recommends in-home assistance or monitoring
  • A clergy who would like to arrange assistance for an older adult

Care management embraces a comprehensive range of services, and the role of the care manager or home-care agency manager is multifaceted.  To learn more about geriatric care management services from the perspective of an in-home care agency, contact us at 208-777-0308 in the Coeur d’Alene, Post Falls (Main Office) or Hayden Lake areas; at 208-263-7889 in the Sandpoint, Bonners Ferry or Priest River areas; or 208-784-1505 in the Kellogg, Wallace or Pinehurst areas. We serve the greater Coeur d’Alene area and the five northern counties of Idaho.  If you or your loved one needs assistance in the home, we would be privileged to care for them.

 

 

Caring for Someone Recovering From A Heart Attack? Check Out These Stress Relievers

Posted on: February 27th, 2012 by aagingbetter

Family caregiving can be very rewarding, but it can also come with a huge amount of stress and changes to family dynamics.  Because of this, it’s important to take measures to care for yourself as well.   As an in-home care agency, AAging Better recommends the following stress relievers for both its own caregivers, as well as those “caregivers” taking care of family members who’ve had a heart attack :

  • Keep a positive attitude and accept that there are some events beyond your control.
  • Be assertive but never aggressive.  Assert your feelings, opinions or beliefs in a positive way rather than letting a particular situation make you angry, defensive or passive–aggressive.  Learning to articulate your hurt feelings in an objective and dispassionate way takes the “finger pointing” out of the equation and simply lets the person you’re caring for know how and what you’re feeling.  Most human beings get defensive when they think someone is judging against them.  When that happens, good communication tends to suffer.
  • Learn and practice relaxation techniques; try meditation, yoga or tai-chi for stress management.
  • Exercise regularly.  A body can fight stress better when it is fit.
  • Eat healthy, well-balanced meals that include a minimum of five servings of fruits and vegetables–the fresher, the better.
  • Learn to manage time more effectively.
  • Set limits appropriately and say no to requests that would create excessive stress.
  • Make time for hobbies and interests.
  • Get enough rest and sleep. A body needs time to recover from stressful events.
  • Don’t rely on alcohol, smoking, drugs or compulsive behaviors to reduce stress.
  • Seek out social support.  Spend time with friends or loved ones.
  • If a family member, seek out respite care from a professional home care agency such as AAging Better In-Home Care to give you a break away from the stress of caring for your loved one.

Providing in-home care services throughout the five counties of northern Idaho, AAging Better In-Home Care custom tailors a specific plan of care for each of its clients, regardless of whether they’re recovering from a heart attack, surgery or just simply can’t take care of the housecleaning chores any longer because of the frailty of old age.  If you or someone you know needs that little extra help with the activities of daily living or just needs some house cleaning done on a regular basis, AAging Better can help.  Contact us today at 866-464-2344 (toll free) or if in the Coeur d’Alene, Post Falls or Hayden areas, call (208) 777-0308, or if in the Sandpoint, Bonners Ferry or Priest River areas, call (208) 263-7889,  and if in the Pinehurst, Kellogg or Wallace areas, call (208) 784-1505 to find out more.

 

Family Caregivers in the Workplace

Posted on: October 24th, 2011 by aagingbetter

If employees spent less time worrying about their loved one at home, would they be more productive at work?  Absolutely.  For those employees who serve as caregivers to their elderly parents or perhaps a disable child, peace of mind while they’re working is a huge relief—and we often work with families to provide respite care solutions they can depend on.

A research study done by the National Alliance for Caregiving and Center for Productive Aging from Towson University found that working caregivers spent a substantial amount of time away from the office to fulfill their care duties at home.  In fact, it was reported that:

  • 81% of caregivers routinely took time during the workday to make arrangements for care or to check on their loved one.
  • 70% said they needed days off to attend to their caregiving duties.
  • 64% arrived late or left work early.
  • 41% took time at work to discuss caregiver issues with co-workers.

Today, more and more employers are adding eldercare benefits to keep employees healthy, both mentally and physically. Before an emergency arises, it’s important to ask employers what benefits and resources are available from the company during these times of need.

What are the greatest needs for working caregivers?

  • Flexibility in work schedules
  • Information about aging and local resources
  • Support from coworkers and supervisors
  • Help in making decisions about care options and related issues

What sorts of benefits do eldercare programs typically offer?

  • Work time flexibility
  • Financial assistance
  • Phone or Internet-based resources and referrals
  • Face-to-face consulting
  • Educational activities like on-site seminars and health fair kiosks

If you would like to find out more about respite care options we can provide for you, or would simply like to learn more about our home care services, contact us online or call us at (208) 777-0308 in the Coeur d’Alene, Post Falls or Hayden areas, (208) 263-7889 in the Sandpoint, Bonners Ferry or Priest River areas, or (208) 784-1505 in the Kellogg, Wallace or Pinehurst areas.

 

Stress Management 101: For Family Caregivers

Posted on: October 17th, 2011 by aagingbetter

Managing stress is all about taking charge.  Take charge of your thoughts, your emotions, your schedule, your environment, and the way you deal with problems.  Stress management involves changing the stressful situation when it’s possible and changing reactions to stressful situations when it’s not, staying healthy, and making time for rest and relaxation.

Even if the stress in your life is out of your control, you can control your response to stress and how much it affects you.  Relaxation techniques such as yoga, meditation, and deep breathing activate the body’s relaxation response, a state of restfulness that is the opposite of the stress response.  When practiced regularly, these activities lead to a reduction in everyday stress levels and a boost in feelings of joy and serenity.  They also increase the ability to stay calm and collected under pressure.

It’s worth repeating that a strong support network is always the greatest protection against anxiety and nervous tension.

Finally, consider these “Ten Tips for Family Caregivers” from the website,  TheFamilyCaregiver.org:

  1. Caregiving is a job, and respite is an earned right.  Reward yourself with respite breaks often.
  2. Watch out for signs of depression, and don’t delay in getting professional help when you need it.
  3. When people offer their help, accept the offer and suggest specific things that they can do.
  4. Educate yourself about your loved one’s condition and how to communicate with doctors.
  5. There’s a difference between caring and doing.
  6. Be open to technologies and ideas that promote your loved one’s independence.
  7. Trust your instincts—most of the time they’ll lead you in the right direction.
  8. Caregivers often do a lot of lifting, pushing, and pulling—so protect your back!
  9. Grieve for your losses, and then allow yourself to dream new dreams.
  10. Seek support from other caregivers.  There is great strength in knowing you are not alone.

To learn more about how agencies such as ours can help with support networks to provide “respite” care for family caregivers, contact us online or call us at (208) 777-0308 in the Coeur d’Alene, Post Falls or Hayden areas, (208) 263-7889 in the Sandpoint, Bonners Ferry or Priest River areas, or (208) 784-1505 in the Kellogg, Wallace or Pinehurst areas.

 

For Family Caregivers: The Telltale Signs of Stress

Posted on: October 10th, 2011 by aagingbetter

Life is full of hassles, deadlines, frustrations, and demands.  For many people, stress is so commonplace that it has become a way of life.  But, constantly running in “emergency mode,” as is often the case for a family caregiver, makes the mind and body pay the price.

The body simply does not distinguish between physical and psychological threats.  With added responsibility and worry from providing care to a loved one, a person’s emergency stress response may be “on” most of the time.  The more time the body’s stress system is activated, the harder it is to shut off.

Long-term exposure to stress can lead to serious health problems.  Chronic stress disrupts nearly every system in the body.  For example, it can:

  • Raise blood pressure
  • Suppress the immune system
  • Increase the risk of heart attack and stroke
  • Speed up the aging process

And, long-term stress can even rewire the brain, leaving a person more vulnerable to anxiety and depression.  Feeling frazzled and overwhelmed should signal it’s time to take action to bring the nervous system back into balance.

You can protect yourself by learning how to recognize the signs and symptoms of stress and taking steps to reduce its harmful effects.  Take this quick quiz to determine if you are in control of stress or if stress is controlling you:

  • When I feel agitated, do I know how to quickly calm and soothe myself?
  • Can I easily let go of my anger?
  • Can I turn to others to help me calm down and feel better?
  • When I come home at night, do I walk in the door feeling alert and relaxed?
  • Am I seldom distracted or moody?
  • Am I able to recognize upsets that others seem to be experiencing?
  • When my energy is low, do I know how to boost it?

A strong support network is always the greatest protection against stress.  With trusted friends and family members, or a caregiving team from a Home Care agency such as ours, life’s pressures will not seem as overwhelming.

To learn more about getting some “respite” from caring for your loved one or about home care services in general, contact us online or call us at (208) 777-0308 in the Coeur d’Alene, Post Falls or Hayden areas, (208) 263-7889 in the Sandpoint, Bonners Ferry or Priest River areas, or (208) 784-1505 in the Kellogg, Wallace or Pinehurst areas.

Beat Family Caregiver Burnout: Nurture Your Own Needs

Posted on: October 3rd, 2011 by aagingbetter

The daily demands of caring for a loved one make caregiving one of the toughest jobs around. Shouldering this daily dependence can test even the strongest amongst us, leading to caregiver burnout.  As a family caregiver, the most important thing the family member can do is to do is take good care of their personal, mental and physical health in order to provide the best care and support possible.  Caregivers should take time to participate in regular activities that are personally enjoyable, whether that’s an exercise program, a hobby or some other pleasant activity that meets their own emotional, physical or social needs.  The end result is usually a positive mindset that benefits both the caregiver and the person receiving care.

When the telltale signs of caregiver burnout pop up—such as depression and hopelessness, trouble sleeping, lack of energy and other personality changes—it’s time to take a step back from the daily responsibility of caring for somebody else, and enjoy some personal time to restore energy.  Enlist the help of a friend, a family member or a neighbor, or consider enlisting a professional caregiver service like AAging Better to avoid burnout.  Our professional caregivers can provide emergency “respite” care (care that lasts for a few hours or perhaps an entire afternoon), or relief for a few days, or better yet, can assist on a regular weekly basis, allowing time for personal needs without sacrificing the needs of the care recipient.

While respite care is most often provided in the home of the loved one, it can take place in a number of different settings other than the person’s home:

  • Adult day care centers
  • Group residential settings, such as, Assisted Living Facilities or Nursing Homes
  • A vacation setting

Although caring for a family member or friend can be a huge responsibility, there is no need to feel alone or helpless.  Taking time away from care duties, reaching out for help and keeping a positive attitude can help the family caregiver and the care recipient both enjoy a better quality of life.

The following organizations (and many others found online under the key words “Senior Home Care” along with the state you’re looking for information on) can help provide more information to caregivers on a variety of topics including respite care:

Family respite services are also available through the state-funded program sponsored by the Idaho Area Agency on Aging which is available to those that meet certain financial or medical criteria.   To learn more about our private-pay “Respite” services or to schedule a free in-home assessment for services of all types, contact us online or call us at (208) 777-0308 in the Coeur d’Alene, Hayden and Post Falls areas, (208) 263-7889 in the Sandpoint, Bonners Ferry or Priest River areas, or (208) 784-1505 in the Kellogg, Pinehurst or Wallace areas.

 

The subtle signs of elder abuse

Posted on: June 27th, 2011 by aagingbetter

Abuse of a senior is not always physical.  It could also be financial, emotional, sexual or abuse by neglect.  How do you recognize the signs of abuse if a senior is unwilling or unable to report it?  Here are a few of the ways:

Physical: Look for unexplained signs of injury such as bruises, welts, scars, or other signs of being restrained, or things such as broken eyeglasses.  Also be aware of a caregiver’s refusal to allow the senior to be seen alone.

Emotional: Watch for threatening, belittling, or controlling behavior from caregivers that are stressed out or show signs of increasing stress.  Also watch for behavior from the senior that mimics dementia, such as rocking, lip sucking, or mumbling to oneself.

Sexual: Take note of any bruises around the breasts or genitals, unexplained venereal disease or genital infections, unexplained vaginal or anal bleeding and torn, stained, or bloody underclothing.

Neglect: Is the senior experiencing unusual weight loss or dehydration, untreated physical problems, such as bed sores, unsanitary living conditions or being left dirty?

Financial: Warning signs include significant withdrawals from the elder’s accounts, items or cash missing from the senior’s household, suspicious changes in wills, power of attorney, titles, and policies, or addition of names to the senior’s signature card.  Also watch for financial activity the senior couldn’t have done, such as an ATM withdrawal when the account holder is bedridden.

To help protect against any form of elder abuse, we recommend that you utilize the services of a reliable, established private duty agency.  Not only can a private duty agency like AAging Better In-Home Care provide you with a caregiver to offer traditional respite care and other in-home care services, it can also coordinate community services when needed.

For more information about our services or anything relating to elder abuse, contact us or call AAging Better at (208) 777-0308 in the Coeur d’Alene/Post Falls/Hayden areas, (208) 263-7889 in the Sandpoint/Priest River/Bonners Ferry areas, or (208) 784-1505 in the Kellogg/Pinehurst/Wallace areas.

Learn How to Protect Against Caregiver Burnout

Posted on: May 16th, 2011 by aagingbetter

To be an effective caregiver, you must first care for yourself. If you reduce your burdens and keep a healthy balance for yourself, you will be in a better position to care for your loved one.

Don’t take it personally. Remind yourself that any emotionally hurtful behavior on the part of your loved one is probably a result of illness.

Take time each day for a phone conversation or a visit with a friend or family member.

Set personal limits. Let your loved one know what you are capable of giving in terms of timeand assistance.  Simply ask for what you need in ways that honor yourself and others.

Quiet your mind through soothing music, prayer, meditation or relaxation. Focus on finding one activity a day that brings enjoyment to you.  Respite does not have to mean leaving home; it can be taking a momentary break to do something positive.

Exercise regularly, even if it means finding someone else to provide care while walking or going to an exercise class.

Eat nutritious meals and get enough sleep.

Listen and communicate carefully with doctors, seek second opinions and monitor medication schedules.  A missed medication or incorrect diagnosis can wreak havoc on stress levels.  Be a constant advocate for your loved one.

Get as much information as you can about your loved one’s health problems and needs and how they are likely to change over time.

When others offer help, offer ideas or give them an IOU to be called in at some future time so that you don’t feel like you are constantly asking for favors.

As a family caregiver, you have a right to respite from caregiving duties every now and then. Contact us today at (208) 777-0308 in Coeur d’Alene and Post Falls or (208) 263-7889 in Sandpoint or (208) 784-1505 in Kellogg or Wallace to learn more about community resources and our in-home respite care program to provide a much needed break.

 

Two Minutes to Determine if You are Suffering from Caregiver Burnout

Posted on: May 9th, 2011 by aagingbetter

It’s easy to believe stress is a normal part of daily life, especially if you are caring for an aging loved one at home while also balancing other family duties. But prolonged exposure to high levels of stress will take its toll on your body.  If your body and mind are not strong, it is difficult to provide the best care possible to your loved one.  Ask yourself the following questions:

1.         Have you given up hobbies or activities that you have enjoyed for years?

2.         Are you developing stress-related problems such as back pain, headaches, chronic feelings of fatigue?

3.         Are you coming down with colds, flu, and/or other illnesses more than usual?

4.         Do you find you’re getting mad in the checkout line at the grocery store?  In traffic?  With friends and family?

5.         Have you gained or lost weight unintentionally?

6.         Do you have an unshakable feeling of despair or pessimism?

7.         Are you crying “for no reason” or over minor problems?

8.         Do you complain about lack of sleep or chronic insomnia?

If you answered “yes” to several of the above questions, it’s time to seek help.  Contact AAging Better In-Home Care for respite care and community resources to provide time away from caregiving duties while experiencing peace of mind that your family member is being well cared for.  Allowing time away from caregiving will not only allow for a more healthy relationship with your loved one but also time to focus on some of your own personal needs.  Contact us today at (208) 777-0308 in Coeur d’Alene and Post Falls or (208) 263-7889 in Sandpoint or (208) 784-1505 in Kellogg or Wallace for further information and a FREE in-home assessment.

 

Celebrate Mothers “Caregiving for Mothers” This Mother’s Day

Posted on: May 2nd, 2011 by aagingbetter

Mother’s Day is coming soon! Have you thought about not only honoring your mother with flowers and brunch but with stress relief as well?

Statistics show that most family caregivers are daughters caregiving for their mothers. In many cases, this is a role for which they are not fully prepared.  Social workers are reporting that the majority of family caregivers are not prepared for many aspects of their aging relatives’ care, including the financial burden, the amount of time it takes to provide care and the emotional toll it can take on their own nuclear family.  As a Mother’s Day gift this year, encourage your wife, mother or friends to accept outside caregiving help if they are the primary “caregiver” in the family.

Too often our mothers get run down and even sick because they have not taken time out for themselves.  Help them by letting them know that taking a break is not an act of selfishness.  It is actually an act of great giving.

AAging Better In-Home Care can provide that much needed respite from caregiving duties. For as little as a few hours to several times a week, our highly trained and carefully selected caregivers allow peace of mind that a loved one is being well cared for while a family caregiver does errands, visits friends, or just needs some time away.

Effective, sustainable caregiving is dependent on meeting caregiving women’s needs for nurture, reassurance, support and respite. By accepting respite care from an in-home care agency, women can better concentrate on also being a daughter, a mother, and a spouse. Whenever respite is needed, AAging Better In-Home Care can be there.  Contact us today at (208) 777-0308 in Coeur d’Alene and Post Falls or (208) 263-7889 in Sandpoint or (208) 784-1505 in Kellogg or Wallace  to find out how easy and comforting extra care in the home can be.

 
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