Caregiver Tips - Video: The Vial of Life

5 Caregivers' Tips to Save on Food Costs

Five tips that will help those who are on limited budgets to survive these times of high food prices are listed below. Lifestyle changes to adapt to the situation are necessary, but there are ways to make this easier.

1. BUY FRESH PRODUCE because it costs less, instead of canned, frozen or packaged vegetables or fruit. Then wash and prepare it, and store it in a freezer in ziplock bags. Carrots, broccoli, cauliflower and so on can be eaten raw, microwaved, baked in foil, boiled or cooked as desired later.
2. PREPARE COMPLETE MEALS AND FREEZE them yourself instead of buying frozen packaged meals, boxed. or canned meals.
3. ONE DAY PER WEEK PREPARE MEALS AHEAD. Prepare a variety of meals for freezing in single serving containers or ziplock bags.
4. AVOID SPOILAGE. Storing fresh vegetables or more fruit than can be eaten in the lower fridge often leads to spoiled food. Freezing the food or using a dehydrator to dry it will help save it longer.
5. TRY ALTERNATE PROTEIN RESOURCES. Experiment with protein from alternate sources instead of always buying expensive meats. For instance, try tofu, beans, soy, nuts and protein drinks and other meatless protein sources.

Caregivers Tips - 5 Safety Precautions When Assisting People With Breathing Difficulties or Lung Conditions

These tips are for caregivers who are assisting people who have breathing difficulties, allergies or lung conditions. It is important to avoid aggravating breathing problems. This list focuses on being sure not to use products with scents or fragrances added. If a person you are assisting develops rasping breathing, gasping, or any breathing difficulty seek professional medical help and if an emergency is suspected call 911 immediately.

1. SCENTED PERSONAL PRODUCTS. Caregivers can avoid using scented personal products for themselves or the person they assist, such as scented soaps, perfumes or colognes, shampoos, conditioners, detergents, lotions, cosmetics, or hair products with scents.

2. SCENTED SPRAYS. Anything that can be inhaled and might irritate the breathing passages or lungs can be avoided, including scented air fresheners, or other sprays.

3. SCENTED CLEANING PRODUCTS. Cleaning products, detergents, or soaps with scents that might irritate the breathing when inhaled can also be avoided.

4. SCENTED HOME ITEMS such as candles, potpourrie, or other decor items that put off fragrances that might be inhaled and irritate the lungs and breathing.

5. SCENTED WIPES or anything else with fragrance added. Sometimes plants or flowers have allergens that can also cause a breathing issue.

American Heart Association Says People Often Wait Too Long to Get Help for a Heart Attack

Sometimes caregivers or seniors aren't sure if someone is having a life threatening emergency, and they may wait to call for help because they are afraid it will be a false alarm. They may be afraid they will appear to have overreacted, to be mistaken, or to have created an alarm foolishly all for nothing. But even waiting minutes can cost a life. The American Heart Association says "people often aren't sure what's wrong and wait too long before getting help" for a heart attack. A review of the common heart attack symptoms and emergency procedures can guide a caregiver when someone might be having a heart attack. First, call 911 immediately, because getting fast medical assistance can save a life. When you call 911 the Emergency Medical Services will arrive within minutes and begin lifesaving treatment then. Taking time to drive someone to the hospital uses up valuable time, and 911 is faster. Even minutes can make the difference in saving a life.

Below is The American Heart Association list of the signs of a heart attack.

Chest discomfort. Most heart attacks involve discomfort in the center of the chest that lasts more than a few minutes, or that goes away and comes back. It can feel like uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain.

Discomfort in other areas of the upper body. Symptoms can include pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw or stomach.
Shortness of breath. May occur with or without chest discomfort.

Other signs: These may include breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea or lightheadedness

A senior who is enjoying a pleasant time with friends and who does not wish to say anything might hesitate to suddenly voice the impression that he or she might be having a heart attack. Perhaps the person is afraid of looking foolish if it is a false alarm. Or, a person might wait to see if it gets worse, but this can cost a life.

As a caregiver I have called 911 anytime I thought a life threatening emergency might be occuring. Medical personnel have never, ever, made me feel I was using their time foolishly. Even if it turns out not to be a life threatening emergency, medical personnel have always said something like, "You did the right thing, and we are glad you called. It's better to check it out than risk losing a life. You're doing a good job as a caregiver, and you're keeping people safe."

Seniors and their families have said to me, "We're so glad you did not hesitate to call 911." Don't be afraid to take responsibility for calling emergency personnel. When in doubt, it's always the right thing to do. Don't hesitate.

Mental Exercises - Create Your Own Crosswords

Looking for some mental exercise? At Crossword Puzzle Games I've found a new hobby to share with caregivers and seniors - creating custom crossword puzzles. Free software on the internet allows you to write your own clues and answers. Memory exercises and word games have been long recommended for seniors, or for anyone who wants a mental workout, and this adds a new aspect to crosswords.

To write a crossword puzzle, first you list the words and clues, and then the software produces the information in a crossword puzzle format. For my own projects I am using trivia from historical eras for creating crosswords. For instance, I'm creating a puzzle now with trivia from the 1950's that includes words like "hoola hoop."

I'm always looking for activities for caregivers or activity leaders to use with elderly seniors. There are many sites on the internet for making your own crosswords, and if you want some ideas for themes you can go to sites for special interests, such as memorabilia, trivia, history and so on.

"Don't Walk the Caregiver Path Alone" on Billboards Now

In Michigan ten billboards with the message "Don't Walk the Caregiver Path Alone" have been placed. The message is the theme for The Caregivers Resource Network, a Michigan based organization. At their website caregivers can take a Self-Check Survey on Personal Well Being, that includes 15 questions to measure physical and psychological problems that caregivers often experience.

The "Don't Walk the Caregiver Path Alone" campaign and the health checklist for caregivers point to the caregivers' needs for resources to help with the often overwhelming job of caregiving.

Examples of problems on the caregivers' checklist include the following:

• Felt completely overwhelmed
• Felt lonely
• Been edgey or irritable
• Had a crying spell
• Felt ill (headaches, etc.)

The "Don't Walk the Caregiver Path Alone" billboards may help alert caregivers and families to the need for resources and support.

Often caregiving is not recognized as having an overwhelming physical and psychological burden on the caregiver. Demands can be seemingly unlimited and exhaustion and stress reach a high level while caregivers try to continue soldiering on as heroes.

The studies and statistics show, as covered in previous posts on this blog, that caregivers' own health often gives out. Lifespan can be shortened, lifting injuries occur, and depression and anxiety are found at high levels in caregivers.

Mobile Fall Prevention Clinic Seeks to Protect Seniors From Injuries

I've taken care of many frail seniors after they have had a fall. In Canada there is a new system to help prevent falls. Healthcare specialists travel with the Mobile Falls and Injury Prevention Clinic, which provides personal custom reports and personal programs for seniors. The assessment and programs are aimed at preventing seniors from falling and injuring themselves. Seniors go to six stations that include a nurse, pharmacist, kinesiologist, biomechanics expert, and a physiotherapist.

Seniors who go to the mobile clinic receive a custom report to reduce their own risk of falling and getting injured. They also receive a custom activity program designed to meet their needs and provide safety.

I will add that having a personal evaluation and a custom tailored program of exercise, mobility, and activities can help seniors to avoid falls. Details such as safely getting in and out of a chair, the height of chairs and whether the chairs have arms on them, and body mechanics are some of the everyday activities that most people don't think about but that can make a difference.

Caregivers can suggest that seniors get fall prevention advice. A personal fall prevention program might include having a physical therapist evaluate and advise seniors about using walkers. For instance, some seniors use a walker by leaning forward, with arms more outstretched, and pushing the walker a little bit ahead of them. A safer method is to stand more upright, with the walker closer to the body, where it can provide balance.

Another example would be when people use the sliding "skiis" for the feet on a walker. For some people this is suitable but the skiis also can make a walker slide faster and for some people it is harder to control the walker then.

If a frail elderly senior falls caregivers can call paramedics who can check for injuries before moving the person, and then lift the person safely.

Home health professionals can come to the house to provide safety checks and tips for avoiding falls.

The article, at CTV.ca said the mobile clinic is sponsored by Fraser Health Authority in Canada.

The United States Department of Health and Human Services says falls are the number one cause of injury deaths among people over 65. Falls are the most common cause of nonfatal injuries and of hospital admissions for trauma.

Their website says that in 2003 in the U.S. 13,700 people died from fall related injuries.

Another 1.8 million in 2003 were treated in emergency rooms for non-fatal injuries related to falls.

To reduce the risk of fall injuries home safety measures can be followed including the following.

Avoid having floors that are slippery.
Put grab bars on tubs, showers and stairways.
Remove throw rugs.
Remove clutter, open up walkways in the house.
Have bright lighting after dark.
Have an evaluation by medical professionals and a custom report and activity program to avoid falls.
Have an exercise program to build strength and balance.
Eat a nutritional diet.
Wear proper shoes that fit well.
Check vision and be sure glasses prescription is up to date.
Have medications checked to avoid overmedicating and dizziness.

Caregivers can go to The United States Department of Health and Human Services website to read about seniors and falls.

Loose Stretch Clothing Comfortable for Elders

When a caregiver is assisting an elderly person who has arthritis or injuries to put on clothing the process can be difficult if the clothing is too snug to allow someone's head and arms through without strain. It might cause someone to feel soreness in joints of the shoulders or arms or cause a skin injury.

Choosing loose, stretchy clothing for an elderly person can help to make each day more comfortable. This will be safer too because soreness will not occur from twisting or straining to put it on.

Sometimes shirts and tops have shrunk through the years, or someone's posture and shape has changed. The caregiver needs to ease clothing on slowly and carefully because the joints and skin of the elderly are frail and injure easily.

Shirts or tops made out of stretch fabric that have buttons or zippers enable the caregiver to make the neckine easy for an elderly person to put on over the head without causing pain. Shoulders and sleeves that are loose and wide are easier for an elderly person or a caregiver who is assisting to put on without causing discomfort or pain to a sore shoulder, arm or neck.

If the clothing is loose enough it also helps to avoid rubbing on a hearing aid that is still in or on a sore ear.

Pants that are made of stretch fabric and have an elastic waist can also be more comfortable. If the waistband has shrunk it will pinch at the waist while someone is resting in a recliner or chair and this can be uncomfortable and may cause a skin problem. Tight waistbands and pants will also be more of a strain when being put on or off. Something loose will be more comfortable.

A turtleneck can be warm and comfy when there is a chill in the air but it needs to be large enough to be easy to pull over the head and to put the arms through without twisting or straining.

Roomy T-shirts, sweatshirts with zippers, sweatpants, pull-overs with large necklines and loose shoulders and sleeves, and other clothes made of cotton stretch fabrics can help make dressing and wearing the clothes more comfortable.

The caregiver can use an afghan or small throw blanket to cover a person's feet and legs, and their arms if they wish, while an elderly person is resting in a recliner or chair. As people get older they may feel chilled more easily than they used to and it's a good idea to have a small blanket handy at home and in the car.

If someone's neck, arms or shoulders are too stiff and sore to put a regular top on the back of an old top can be cut open with scissors at the back of the neck to enlarge it. If needed, the top can be cut with scissors from the neckline to the bottom of the hem. The arms can be easily put on and the top will be open at the back so it can be lifted off easily. If someone has had an injury but does not want to wear a hospital gown this is a way to wear regular clothing.

Socks that do not bind at the ankle are easier to pull on, more comfortable, and better for circulation too. Sometimes socks that were large enough originally have shrunk with many washings and caregivers can check to be sure the socks are not putting too much pressure on the ankles.

These tips can help to make a more pleasant day for an elderly person. Caregivers who provide assistance with activities of daily living in home care can use these tips to make a difference in the kind of day someone else experiences.