Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Video: Advance Healthcare Directives
To have your healthcare wishes followed you need to have an Advance Healthcare Directive. Some people want to have as much medical care as possible if they are near the end of life, and others wish to have as little as possible.
Sunday, November 16, 2008
Video: Heart Failure, Pacemakers, and Follow-Up
This video explains that a pacemaker and defibrillator can be installed in a minimally invasive surgery for someone with heart failure.
This results in a reduction of symptoms. Only 2 weeks after receiving a pacemaker and defibrillator the patient in the video reported he was back to his usual activities without the shortness of breath.
This results in a reduction of symptoms. Only 2 weeks after receiving a pacemaker and defibrillator the patient in the video reported he was back to his usual activities without the shortness of breath.
Basics of Congestive Heart Failure for Caregivers
If you are a caregiver for someone who has congestive heart failure this video will help you understand the symtpoms and lifestyle changes that can help.
Saturday, November 1, 2008
Five Caregiving Steps For Home Safety
When an elder's health condition could need emergency care at home caregivers can take the following safety steps. (1) First, put a Vial of Life information form on the fridge door so paramedics can quickly get information about medicines, health conditions, doctors, emergency numbers and allergies.
(2) Next, create a caregiving notebook with dividers and information about the following. Put the notebook in the kitchen in a prominent place so paramedics can see it without searching.
A. health conditions, diagnoses, allergies, medical history
B. medicines, instructions and dosages
C. emergency phone numbers, doctors, health professionals, relatives, friends
D. info regarding power of attorney
E. healthcare directive and instructions
F. an ongoing journal to list important information, falls, illnesses, other events
(3) Put a large calendar on the wall or fridge and list doctor's appointments and tests, health related information, and events.
(4) Get a plastic pill packer with 7 days a week plus dividers for 4 times a day to separate the pills. This will ensure medicine times don't get confused or medicines don't get skipped.
(5) Get one of the medic alert home systems with an easy to press button worn around the neck or on the wrist so help can be summoned quickly, especially if someone lives alone.
(2) Next, create a caregiving notebook with dividers and information about the following. Put the notebook in the kitchen in a prominent place so paramedics can see it without searching.
A. health conditions, diagnoses, allergies, medical history
B. medicines, instructions and dosages
C. emergency phone numbers, doctors, health professionals, relatives, friends
D. info regarding power of attorney
E. healthcare directive and instructions
F. an ongoing journal to list important information, falls, illnesses, other events
(3) Put a large calendar on the wall or fridge and list doctor's appointments and tests, health related information, and events.
(4) Get a plastic pill packer with 7 days a week plus dividers for 4 times a day to separate the pills. This will ensure medicine times don't get confused or medicines don't get skipped.
(5) Get one of the medic alert home systems with an easy to press button worn around the neck or on the wrist so help can be summoned quickly, especially if someone lives alone.
Friday, October 24, 2008
Guest Post from Life Coach Scott Couchenour - "Intentionally Blank"
Ever read a legal document and turn a page and all it has on the page is the phrase "This Space Left Intentionally Blank" centered on the page? I think I know why writers of legal documents do that. It got me thinking about caregiving.
What if, in the flow of caregiving, we were to designate certain times that are "intentionally blank"? These would be times when we unplug COMPLETELY from the world around us; times when we pull away from the caregiving and purposefully do nothing. If we do this we can greatly increase our capacity for perspective. We can re-energize. We can renew. Then, when the "blank time" is over, we can get back to the business of caregiving with a new sense of vision and excitement.
Are you doing this already? Great!
If you haven't considered "Intentionally Blank" times like this, start today. Think ahead. When is the next time you are going to unplug, pull away, and become intentionally blank?
From guest author, Scott Couchenour
Certified Life Coach
Founder of Serving Strong
©1997-2005 Openwave Systems Inc. All rights reserved.
What if, in the flow of caregiving, we were to designate certain times that are "intentionally blank"? These would be times when we unplug COMPLETELY from the world around us; times when we pull away from the caregiving and purposefully do nothing. If we do this we can greatly increase our capacity for perspective. We can re-energize. We can renew. Then, when the "blank time" is over, we can get back to the business of caregiving with a new sense of vision and excitement.
Are you doing this already? Great!
If you haven't considered "Intentionally Blank" times like this, start today. Think ahead. When is the next time you are going to unplug, pull away, and become intentionally blank?
From guest author, Scott Couchenour
Certified Life Coach
Founder of Serving Strong
©1997-2005 Openwave Systems Inc. All rights reserved.
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Caregiving and Spiritual Issues
The comfort of knowing a caring God is surrounding us with love and light, and that earthly challenges can be seen from a perspective of eternal life, can provide strength to keep going when the most difficult times of our lives occur. No matter what your religious denomination, philosophy, or personal spiritual belief system, knowing there is a power of love, a spirit that cares and an energy that is like a power source lifts us up when we need it.
We'll never understand fully that which is beyond our human ability to grasp, but knowing we are filled and surrounded with the spirit of love and that we can see things from an eternal perspective changes everything.
Today in our world there is still much love and caring, much light and life.
When the difficulties of caregiving seem to be pulling one downward, it helps to remember the spiritual love that can fill and enfold us. As channels for the flow of this love, energy and caring, caregivers are indeed special people.
We'll never understand fully that which is beyond our human ability to grasp, but knowing we are filled and surrounded with the spirit of love and that we can see things from an eternal perspective changes everything.
Today in our world there is still much love and caring, much light and life.
When the difficulties of caregiving seem to be pulling one downward, it helps to remember the spiritual love that can fill and enfold us. As channels for the flow of this love, energy and caring, caregivers are indeed special people.
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Inspirational Caregivers' Video for Relaxation and Uplifting Therapy
When Autumn paints the leaves and they are reflected in quiet rivers the beauty is doubly relaxing and uplifting, especially when paired with special music. Caregivers can take a therapy break and unwind while they watch this video. Enjoy and best wishes. Kristi
Thursday, October 9, 2008
Caregiving and "The Ministry of Presence"
The "Ministry of Presence" is the way a spiritual teacher I know recently described our visit to a friend from church who is staying in a nursing home. The physical presence of a caring friend, a hug, a hand squeeze, some listening, some eye contact and a bit of conversation, can have a healing and comforting effect. Whether you are just sitting nearby, keeping a quiet vigil, or are sharing conversation, simply providing your presence is a way of ministering to others who are ill or injured. Our presence speaks for us, saying, "I care. You're not alone. I'm here for you. You're important to me."
Often people excuse themselves from visiting those who are ill by saying "I wouldn't know what to do or say." But, that's not important. The warmth of a genuinely caring person who simply arrives to provide his or her presence can bring an uplift to someone's day.
Brilliant conversation, exciting news, or special nursing skills are not needed to provide the healing benefits of your presence. Just being yourself and providing the "Ministry of Presence" by a gentle hug, a hand squeeze, some listening, some sharing and eye contact will make a difference. The isolation that people experience when they are ill or injured, or in frail health, is a form of suffering that is eased by a visit from someone who cares.If a relative or friend has cognitive impairment, as with dementia or Alzheimer's, the presence of a caring person who listens, establishes eye contact, and bonds is a healing presence.
Often people excuse themselves from visiting those who are ill by saying "I wouldn't know what to do or say." But, that's not important. The warmth of a genuinely caring person who simply arrives to provide his or her presence can bring an uplift to someone's day.
Brilliant conversation, exciting news, or special nursing skills are not needed to provide the healing benefits of your presence. Just being yourself and providing the "Ministry of Presence" by a gentle hug, a hand squeeze, some listening, some sharing and eye contact will make a difference. The isolation that people experience when they are ill or injured, or in frail health, is a form of suffering that is eased by a visit from someone who cares.If a relative or friend has cognitive impairment, as with dementia or Alzheimer's, the presence of a caring person who listens, establishes eye contact, and bonds is a healing presence.
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
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