Try: When you are a caregiver who also has a full-time job and family you often get pulled in several different directions at the same time this can result in stress overload statistics show that the average caregiver of an elderly parent is a 46 year old female with a full time job and 61 also have children and family responsibilities the u s department of labor estimates that nearly 54 of workforce employees are caregivers for an elderly parent stress related health issues for working caregivers has risen 27 two-thirds of caregivers have conflict arising from demands at home and demands from employers caregivers spend more time caregiving than they do at their job which results in a lower take home salary reduction in benefits missing out on promotions and travel and sometimes loss of their job altogether in essence a caregiver has two full time jobs this means that you may have trouble engaging in stress relieving activities there simple isn’t enough time here are some suggestions to help ease caregiver stress overload talk to family members and enlist their help involve family members in creating a workable plan to cut down on the stress set aside personal time with your spouse and children each day even if it is just a few minutes make it a part of your routine and stick to it involve your children in planning and delegating the daily household chores remind them that less time spent on daily chores means more time to have quality time together approach your employer and discuss possible flex time schedules or maybe working from home several hours a week be open honest and willing to compromise in order to make the work care situation run more smoothly for everyone concerned when trying to come up with a plan make sure that your needs are covered as well as everyone else’s references adapted in part from boomers with elderly parents

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Categories: Caregiver Needs&Support, Communication, Emotional Psychological, Medical Physical

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References: n/a

Keywords: Caregiver stress and burnout the sandwich generation stress management time management balancing conflicting priorities

*This information is listed as a Fact Sheet and is not explicitly medically licensed

Try: Although caregiving is very important task it also can be very difficult stressful and frustrating there may be times when you are both physically and mentally spent you may get angry and vent it in unhealthy ways you may feel that caregiving completely consumes all of your energy and your whole life here are some general suggestions that may help you be a better caregiver and take care of your own well being at the same time learn all you can about the care recipient recipient’s cr cr’s specific disease or medical condition the more informed you are about the nature of the cr cr’s disease or medical condition the better off you will be use caregiver resources that are available and helpful there are many useful resources such as books magazine articles websites support groups social service agencies that may provide you with the tools and support that you need to be an effective caregiver for example you may find this wesite easy to use and helpful share your concerns with the cr the cr can often manage his or her problems even when there is mild to moderate cognitive impairment together you may be able to make adaptations such as memory aids that will help the cr maintain independence solve your most frustrating problems one at a time everyday problems can often be overwhelming for example preparing meals getting the cr to eat and then having to clean it all up can be challenging the frustration can lead you to the end of your rope often working on one task at a time may make it less frustrating get enough rest caregiving can be very demanding and you may not get enough rest or respite getting a reprive from caregiving can help you to be more patient and tolerant of irritating behaviors you may need to seek outside resources to assist you in getting a break from your caregiving responsibilities use your common sense imagination and creativity to adapt to various situations being able to adapt to various situations with common sense imagination and creativity may help help you succeed for example if the cr insists on eating with his or her fingers serve more finger foods if the cr insists on sleeping with a hat on let it be what’s the harm maintain a sense of humor humor can get you through many crises the cr may need to enjoy a good laugh too discussing your experiences with other care givers can help you find the humor in some of your shared experiences strive for freedom try to provide an environment that allows for as much freedom as possible but also offers the structure that the cr needs establish a routine for meals medication exercise bedtime and any other activities do tasks at the same time every day this helps the cr know what to expect and when change the routine only when it ceases to work keep the environment simple and clutter free remember to talk to the cr speak calmly and gently make a point of telling the cr what you are doing and why let the cr take part in discussions and decision making avoid talking about the cr in from of him or her and remind others do the same ask the cr to wear an id necklace or bracelet include details of the nature of the disease for example memory impaired and your telephone number this is one of the most important things you can do since the cr may be prone to wandering and getting lost keep the cr active but not overwhelmed although the relationship of activity to the course of the some diseases may be unclear activity may help the cr it may help to maintain physical well-being and prevent other illnesses and infections from developing being active may help the cr to continue to feel that life has meaning and he or she is stille involved in the family however too much stimulation and activity may upset the cr and may not be beneficial

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Categories: Caregiver Needs&Support

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Keywords: Caregiver help caregiver tips caregiver resources senior services respite

*This information is listed as a Fact Sheet and is not explicitly medically licensed

Try: Older care recipients crs need a wide array of services for their care needs each person person’s needs may vary but the following is a list of possible care services that caregivers will encounter adult day care a program of medical and social services including socialization activities and supervision provided in an outpatient setting case management client assessment identification and coordination of community resources and follow-up monitoring of how the client adjusting and the services being provided chore services assistance with household repairs yard work and errands congregate meals meals provided in a group setting for people who may benefit both from a nutritious meal and from social educational and recreational services provided at the setting dental services care of the teeth diagnosis and treatment of dental problems home-delivered meals meals delivered to the home for individuals who are unable to shop or cook for themselves home health aide services assistance with home-related tasks such as medications exercises and personal care homemaker services household services such as cooking cleaning laundry shopping and escort service to accompany patients to medical appointments and elsewhere hospice services medical nursing and social services to provide support and alleviate suffering for dying person and their families information and referral assistance with legal matters such as guardianship power of attorney and transfer of assets mental health services an assessment individual and group counseling to address psychological and emotional problems of patients and families occupational therapy treatment to improve functional abilities; provided by an occupational therapist paid companion sitter an individual who comes to the home to provide supervision personal care and socialization during the absence of the primary caregiver patient assessment evaluation of the individual’s physical mental and emotional status behavior and social supports personal care assistance with basic self-care activities such as bathing dressing getting out of bed eating and using the bathroom personal emergency response systems telephone-based systems to alert others than an individual who is alone is experiencing an emergency and needs assistance physical therapy rehabilitative treatment or management of a physical disability provided by a physical therapist physician services diagnosis and ongoing medical care including prescribing medications and treating illness protective services social and law enforcement services to prevent eliminate or remedy the effects of physical and or emotional abuse and or neglect recreational services physical exercise art and music therapy parties celebrations and other social and recreational activities respite care short-term in- or out-patient services intended to provide temporary relief for the primary caregiver skilled nursing medically oriented care provided by a licensed nurse including monitoring acute and unstable medical conditions assessing care needs supervising medications tube and intravenous feeding personal care services treating bedsores and other conditions speech therapy treatment to improve or restore speech; provided by a speech therapist supervision monitoring and individual’s whereabouts to ensure his her safety transportation transporting people to medical appointments community facilities and elsewhere

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Categories: Caregiver Needs&Support

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Keywords: Caregiver resources healthcare resources caregiver help reference adapted from the 36-hour day mace n l & robins p v 1999

*This information is listed as a Fact Sheet and is not explicitly medically licensed

Try: You may feel more secure and have less agitation and anxiety if you stick to a regular schedule use the same substitute cg when you are physically away from cg and go to the same environment when you are away from the cr’s living quarters break the 16 hours of respite in periods that meet your needs for example if you usually have lunch with a friend at the same time each week set us a schedule for the respite caregiver that takes that into consideration if part of the 16 hours will be spent in the cr’s living quarters retreat to your room or partitioned space if the cr is at home in order to get a break from the stress of caregiving tell the respite caregiver that you should not be contacted or called for consultation until after the scheduled time has lapsed let the substitute caregiver manage the cr do not intervene one exception to this rule is emergency situations listen and observe the respite caregiver if you uncover a concern or have suggestions for what works better discuss it later with him or her when you are not in the presence of the cr strive for bilateral respect harmony and trust between yourself and the respite caregiver

Materials: Trusted reliable person and or agency that can care for the cr 16 hours every week a room or partitioned space in the care recipient’s cr’s living quarters that is solely for the cr’s use ideally the room would have the following a door for the cg’s privacy comfortable chair desk lamps comfortable daybed television earphones closet private bathroom access

Categories: Caregiver Needs&Support, Communication, Emotional Psychological, Maintenance, Personal, Social, Some Supervision, Maximum Supervision

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References: n/a

Keywords: Rest getting a break time out

*This information is listed as a Tip and is not explicitly medically licensed

Try: Recognize that caregiving is made up of lots of individual tasks some easy and some hard the tasks may need to be prioritized recognize that asking for help is a sign of strength it shows a pro-active problem-solving approach to make things easier and better for everyone create a list of list of tasks that need to get done in a given week group tasks into categories such as personal care for the cr transportation and household chores write down your caregiving worries seeing them in black and white may help diffuse some of their emotion share your list with someone you trust create a check list to share with friends and family members to see if they can assist with any tasks evaluate the situation and consider whether seeking help from an outside agency would be helpful

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Categories: Caregiver Needs&Support, Emotional Psychological, Medical Physical

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References: Adapted from www thefamilycaregiver org – national family caregivers association – reaching out for the help you need; helpful hints for family caregivers – share the caring; action checklists for family caregiver & those who care about them

Keywords: Caregiver stress burnout frustration at end of your rope frazzled exhausted

*This information is listed as a Tip and is not explicitly medically licensed

Try: Keep the mood upbeat when you are visiting the cr maintain a friendly and positive tone avoid showing your negative emotions such as anger and irritation this could be upsetting to the cr talk about topics that the cr is interested in such as the family weather sports food and so on the cr may be more engaged in your discussion avoid more abstract or controversial topics such as politics and religion avoid open-ended questions which may be overwhelming to the cr instead ask yes or no questions if you find yourself getting frustrated by cr cr’s repetition of a question calmly redirect the conversation to a different topic you may reach the point during the visit when you are about to blow a gasket and can’t take it anymore when this happens it would be best to end the visit as soon as possible it would be better to leave than have an emotional outburst and say or do something that you will regret later if you are unable to leave right away get away from the cr for a while you calm down after the visit take some time to decompress and get your life back refocus on your own life priorities and leisure activities as soon as possible do not continue to dwell on what you experienced during the visit with the cr it is what it is let go of the many things in care giving that you don’t have any control over you can’t be with the cr 24 7 focus on doing the best you can under the circumstances whenever you can don’t continue to beat yourself over the head about what you can’t do be realistic in deciding what you can do and then do it consider joining a local or internet support group related to cr’s health issue this may help you understand better what cr is dealing with and help you cope better by talking to other people who are in the same situation share the above recommendations with the cr cr’s family and friends who also get depressed after visits they will likely need all of the support and encouragement that you can provide

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Categories: Caregiver Needs&Support, Emotional Psychological, Medical Physical, Some Supervision, Maximum Supervision

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References: Adapted from www care com caring for seniors with alzheimer alzheimer’s disease by staff writer no date

Keywords: Visits home interactions depressed communication conversation support groups

*This information is listed as a Tip and is not explicitly medically licensed

Try: Try using your telephone yellow pages look under subject headings like adult care home health services alarm systems medical alert systems hospices alternative health therapy hospital equipment supplies alzheimer alzheimer’s disease lawyers elder law etc ambulance services medical equipment & supplies counselors – human relations medical transportation svcs churches or temples day care centers – adult nurses nurses registries nursing homes & care

Materials: Phone book or yellow pages directory

Categories: Sage, Topic, Caregiver Needs&Support, Maintenance, Medical Physical, Personal, Social, Mobile, Needs Much Assistance, Immobile, Independence, Some Supervision, Maximum Supervision, Cognitive Awareness, Somewhat Aware, Unaware, Long-Term Memory, So-So L T Memory, Poor L T Memory, Short-Term Memory, So-So S T Memory, Poor S T Memory

Information: Try breaking complex tasks and activities down into smaller steps try to allow cr extra time to respond to questions and to comprehend and learn new information try to avoid situations that are overstimulating for example noise crowds try suggesting a different activity or topic of conversation to help cr remain on task trty to encourage cr to ask others to slow down and repeat information

References: taking care a resource guide for caregivers by the virginia caregiver coalition no date available at www caregiving org

Keywords: Resources day care medical equipment medical supplies transportation ambulance services ambulatory services hospice nurses nursing care nursing homes

*This information is listed as a Tip and is not explicitly medically licensed

Try: Try using the power of yes for example when people offer to help you and cr, say yes yes you can pick up something at the grocery store for me yes you can come and sit with joan while i go for a walk yes i would love to have you drop off a meal try to accept the offer of help as a generous gift from someone who cares about you and cr try to understand that no one expects you to do it all

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Categories: Sage, Topic, Caregiver Needs&Support, Emotional Psychological, Medical Physical, Personal, Mobility, Needs Some Assistance, Needs Much Assistance, Immobile, Independence, No Supervision, Vision, So-So Vision, Poor Vision, Hearing, So-So Hearing, Poor Hearing, Cognitive Awareness, Fully Aware, Somewhat Aware

Information: A recent picture and description of cr a current list of medications and past medications if known a copy of the criteria for emergency evaluations and civil commitments in your jurisdiction a doctor psychiatrist or social worker can help you get this information if possible ask cr to sign a medical release form that allows you to see his her medical information

References: a caregiver’s guide to huntington’s disease by huntington’s disease society of america 2011 available at www hdsa org

Keywords: Asking for help care giving friends homebound running errands respite respite care

*This information is listed as a Tip and is not explicitly medically licensed

Try: Be aware that because the roles are changing there will be a shifting of responsibility to your spouse spouse’s physical care and activities of daily living if your spouse is suffering from any type of depression and chooses to remain at home instead of socializing do not fall into the trap of also staying at home because it is easier stick to your normal social schedule as much as you can even if it means arranging for respite care this may keep you from becoming depressed stressed and burned out reach out to others to voice your concerns and needs family friends and neighbors may not realize that there is a problem with your spousal care giving try to keep everything as normal as possible and enjoy the things that you used to enjoy together even though some adaptations may have to be made for example if going out to dinner and a movie was part of your weekly ritual consider a take-out meal from your favorite restaurant and rent a movie to view at home maintaining your own health should be a priority if you do not take care of yourself and your own health becomes an issue you will be less able to help your spouse you may be more aware of safety issues that may affect the spouse because you are familiar with the home environment take appropriate measures to address safety concerns and avoid accidents in the home maintain personal intimacy by reliving special memories through photo albums or family videos keep your children informed regarding your spouse spouse’s condition and circumstances your children may not realize when there is a change and you need more assistance and emotional support in care giving

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Categories: Caregiver Needs&Support, Communication, Emotional Psychological, Social, Some Supervision, Maximum Supervision

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References: n/a

Keywords: Emotional support physical support well spouse

*This information is listed as a Tip and is not explicitly medically licensed

Try: Continually reevaluate your decision of selecting this facility get to know therapy and therapists establish yourself as the advocate in charge and liaison between cr and staff realize recovery isn’t fast; celebrate the small steps be a constant source of positive encouragement to cr make cr’s surroundings pleasant but getting out of there often is more pleasant

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Categories: Sage, Topic, Caregiver Needs&Support, Emotional Psychological, Medical Physical

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References: stroke caregiver’s handbook by joyce dreslin no date available at www strokesafe org

Keywords: Long term care rehabilitation hospital stay

*This information is listed as a Tip and is not explicitly medically licensed