Adeste In-Home Care - Colorado

In-Home Care in Colorado

8 Ways To Create Simple Joys In Your Life

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Caregiving can be a mind-numbing experience. Every day brings more of the same, until you’re sure you’re going to crack under the pressure.

While routine may be a good thing for the person you are caring for, it doesn’t mean that you should accept more of the same every day. Small changes can do wondrous things for your attitude. Simple joys can give you a new lease on life.

Turn off the news, television, and computer

Television has become a full time babysitter, especially for those that stay close to home. But how many more cooking shows can you truly watch? Why not put what you’ve learned into practice instead? Pick up a cookbook and give a new recipe a try. Experiment with different recipes to find the best in a category – the best eggplant parmesan recipe, for example. Give the person you are caring for a chore or two. Whether it’s mixing and chopping, or simply enjoying the food, you’ll both enjoy a few hours doing something new.

Take a class

Everyone has a hobby or something they are interested in. When was the last time you picked up your knitting needles? Or tried your hand at scrapbooking? Now is the time to actually do it. Take the plunge and take a class. In some cases, you won’t even have to leave home. A quick search can bring up a wealth of information on any subject you can imagine. You can also search sites like Udemy to learn a new skill online.

Have lunch with an old friend

The Internet has made it easier than ever to get in touch with people from your past. This includes the person you are caring for. Is there someone you would both enjoy visiting and having lunch with? Even if you live far away, try having lunch through technology – Skype, Facetime or Google makes it easy to chat from anywhere in the world. [Read more…]

Spring Cleaning For Caregivers – Did You Remember?

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The concept of spring cleaning was born many years ago, when our houses weren’t as secure and well built. Spring cleaning was a way of removing the dark, sooty grime that built up from using candles, kerosene lamps and wood stoves throughout the winter.

Even though our heating practices are much safer and secure in today’s world, the idea of spring cleaning is still engrained in our society. The idea of bringing fresh, clean air into our homes is exciting. Putting away blankets and quilts and making room for beach towels instead can bring instant gratification.

Even as we age, we can benefit from spring cleaning throughout our homes. And as a caregiver, spring cleaning can shed light on how your loved really is doing.

Cabinets, drawers, and files

Start with the desk. If your loved one has a computer, help them organize files and photographs. Check email and clean out inboxes. You can also delete items in the trash. [Read more…]

A Life After Caregiving

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I read a recent article on the effects of Alzheimer’s on a caregiver. And while the statistics are shocking, they aren’t unexpected. Anyone in a caregiving role understands.

According to The Alzheimer’s Association:

  • Alzheimer’s is the 6th leading cause of death in the United States
  • Alzheimer’s is the 5th leading cause of death in people over the age of 65
  • By 2050, the number of people with Alzheimer’s disease may nearly triple, from 5.2 million to a projected 13.8 million

Here’s something else to think about. Alzheimer’s is the only disease among the top 10 causes of death that cannot be prevented, cured, or slowed. Without more advancement in research, Alzheimer’s will continue growing by leaps and bounds. And it will impact families at far greater rates.

Which also means the impact on caregivers will escalate too. [Read more…]

7 Questions To Ask Before You Become Your Parents Caregiver

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Your parents need help. Not just every once in awhile; it’s now a daily thing. But are you up for the job of becoming a family caregiver?

Family caregiving isn’t something you walk into willingly. In most cases, you spend little time thinking about it at all. Slowly, mom and dad need an extra set of things, and as their child, you pitch in. A little here and a little there adds up, and before you know it it’s become a part time (or full time) job.

Many seniors start declining as they age, needing another person to fully function during the day. It can start small, with just gentle reminders to get things done. And before you know it, it escalates into consistent and routine care.

As a child, we fill the role without thinking. They cared for us for many years. And they may have added in comments like, “Please don’t put me in a nursing home,” which of course adds to the guilt. But are you up for the role of your life?

The National Alliance for Caregiving states that over 65 million Americans are currently providing care for a loved one, and 36 percent of those are for an elderly parent. And as baby boomers age, those numbers will quickly rise. [Read more…]

Caring For Women With Heart Disease Is Different Than Men

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Men and women; yes, we’re alike in many ways. But sometimes it is the differences that matter most.

When it comes to heart disease, the differences can be staggering.

Women age 45 and younger are more likely than men to die within a year of their first heart attack

Men are 2 to 3 times more likely than women to receive an implantable defibrillator for the prevention of sudden cardiac death

Only 65 percent of women surveyed said they would think of calling 911 if they thought they were experiencing a heart attack – substantially lower than men. [Read more…]

Life Issues You’ll Have To Deal With When Caring For Your Aging Parents

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At some point in time, things begin changing your relationship with your parents. You’ll confront a variety of challenges, everything from the life-altering to the practical. All of this can be a difficult process, especially when you aren’t sure what comes next. To help get you started, here’s a list of the life issues you’ll be facing in the months and years to come.

Learning to read your parents’ life stages

The older a person gets, the more losses they will face – their health, their independence, and in some cases their closest friends. While they face these losses head on, as a caregiver your job is to help with courage, resourcefulness, and a sense of humor. Aging is something we are learning about more all the time. And though every step may be new to you, there are many resources available to help you along the way. Don’t be afraid to ask; this is a learning process for you too. [Read more…]

Time For a Parent To Stop Living Alone

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Age alone doesn’t determine ability. We can all think of 90 year olds as spry as when they were in their 50s, and 60 year olds that need 24-hour care.

Every situation is different. But when the question finally arises in your mind, it can cause you and your family a world of grief. No son or daughter wants to admit that a parent is now in need of care; they simply can’t provide the self-care needed to remain alone.

But how do you know when it’s time? Yes, they’ve decreased ability in recent years. Yes, they no longer can do everything they once could. Does that mean it’s time for a change?

While there is never a right time or a clear cut rule that says when the moment has arrived, there are things to watch for.

Difficult recoveries

The last time your loved one had an illness, how long did it take to recover? When colds last for weeks, it could be a sign of their health starting to fail. As we age, we lose the ability to bounce back from common ailments. Even mild injuries or illnesses can become long-term drains. And what effects their health can also impact their mindset and well being. [Read more…]

Memory Loss: What’s Normal, What’s Not

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Ever misplaced your keys or forgotten a phone number? If you’re young, you probably didn’t think much about it. After all, you’re busy with a lot on your plate. You might even be surprised you don’t miss more.

But as we grow older, sometimes we stop and think about what that means. Have we started forgetting things as a normal part of the aging process? Or are we starting to experience major memory problems?

That’s why it’s important to understand the difference.

The brain is capable of producing new brain cells at any age. So significant memory loss is not inevitable as you grow older. But just as your muscles weaken if they aren’t used, you have to use your brain … or lose it. Your lifestyle, your habits, your daily activities all have a huge impact on healthy your brain stays. That means every day you should: [Read more…]

Caregiving Positively Instead Of Negatively

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We’ve all had days where the negative self-talk starts from the moment we rise. Ever had your alarm fail? Then you know what I’m talking about. You suddenly realize your alarm didn’t go off when you planned, and the thoughts begin. “How could I forget to set that? How could I have been so stupid? Now my day is ruined. I’ll be late for everything. I’ll be in trouble at work.” It goes on and on.

Negative self-talk is something we all do. We have it at every juncture of our lives.

But when we move into a caregiving role, the negativity often rolls in equally as fast.

The internal negative thoughts begin. “Why is this happening?”

And unfortunately, they can grow and change every day. Depending on the results of your personal caregiving situation, you can become susceptible to unhelpful patterns of negative thinking. Let’s say you are caring for someone with memory issues. Repeating questions become a part of your daily routine. For you, that means negative thinking is always in the back of your mind. “When is this going to stop? No one understands how difficult my life is.” [Read more…]

What You’re In For As A Caregiver

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Diagnosis changes everything.

All of a sudden everything is about the one who needs care. Doctors focus on them. Friends and family focus on them.

But what about you?

A doctor may ask your loved one “how are you feeling?” But when do they turn to you and ask about you?

Caregiving is difficult; you’ll find everyone tells you it’s true.

But very few will tell you what to expect from the inside out. The nitty gritty details of what you’re life will be like from this point forward. And in some ways it’s to be expected; just like no two people are the same, no two caregiving situations will be the same. [Read more…]