Care recipient (cr) will be cared for by a substitute care giver cg and preparations need to be made for any emergency that may occur

Try: Post phone numbers for the following agencies next to cr cr’s telephone or a place where they can easily be seen by anyone the 911 number for emergencies medical fire or police the physician physician’s number emergency and office number the name and number of the hospital the physician and cr prefer the number of the home health agency if one is currently making visits to the home the poison center phone number the 24-hour number of the medical or oxygen supplier if one is being used the telephone number where you can be reached

Materials: Paper and pen

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

Information: Signed by cr keep a list of all medications both prescribed and over-the-counter being used the same medications that are helpful in easing pain stopping infection controlling heart rate and keeping people healthy can also cause serious problems if more than one doctor is prescribing medications it is important to keep each doctor aware of the drugs that are being taken keep doctor s informed by taking all cr’s drugs in a paper or plastic bag or taking a list of all cr’s drugs to each doctor it may be helpful to have one pharmacist fill all of cr’s prescriptions to prevent taking drugs that interact and cause problems talk with the pharmacist before using over-the-counter or non-prescription drugs they can cause problems if you find the medicine schedule confusing or difficult to follow ask the pharmacist about preparing all medicines in blister packs

References: caregiver’s handbook by the caregiver education and support services seniors counseling and training case management services of the san diego county mental health services no date available at www acsu buffalo edu

Keywords: Emergency substitute care giver

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

Respite care is important for most caregivers caregivers must plan ahead for a break so the Care recipient (cr) is impacted as little as possible the following are tips for preparing for respite care

Try: Plan and schedule frequent breaks breaks are important for a caregiver use checklists to teach the other care providers about the cr’s likes and dislikes offer suggestions for handling behaviors make back-up plans always keep a list of alternate providers and resources unplanned emergencies do happen evaluate the substitute often observe the cr before and after respite sessions ask for brief updates and more detailed reports regularly expect changes in care and the cr people and programs can often change

Materials: n/a

Categories: Caregiver Needs&Support, Medical Physical

Information: n/a

References: Helpguide org

Keywords: Respite care caregiver break

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

Managing stress is important as a caregiver caring for a Care recipient (cr) managing stress involves many things including reducing stress and keeping physically healthy the following are healthy ways to reduce stress

Try: Set aside relaxation time include rest and relaxation in your daily schedule don’t allow other obligations to the cr to dominate your life connect with others spend time with positive people who enhance your life a strong support system will help you with the stress of caregiving do something you enjoy every day make time for leisure activities that bring you joy and relaxation keep your sense of humor laughing is good for your health and helpful for reducing stress exercise regularly physical activity plays a key role in reducing and preventing the effects of stress try for 30 minutes of exercise 3-4 days per week eat a healthy diet well-nourished bodies are better prepared to cope with stress eat healthy and balanced meals throughout the day reduce caffeine and sugar the temporary highs caffeine and sugar provide often end in with a crash in mood and energy by reducing the amount of coffee soft drinks chocolate and sugar snacks in your diet you’ll feel more relaxed and you’ll sleep better avoid alcohol cigarettes and drugs self-medicating with alcohol or drugs may provide an easy escape from stress but the relief is only temporary alcohol and drugs impair your mind and should be avoided get enough sleep adequate sleep fuels your mind as well as your body feeling tired will increase your stress and it will impact your caregiving abilities

Materials: n/a

Categories: Caregiver Needs&Support

Information: n/a

References: Helpguide org

Keywords: Respite care caregiver help reduce stress

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

Finding an appropriate care facility is important for the Care recipient (cr) appropriately screening facilities is crucial to finding a good match the following are common questions to ask at the respite care facility

Try: How are care workers screened what is the training and level of experience of the care providers will care providers need additional training to meet specific family needs how and by whom are the care providers supervised what procedures does the program have for emergencies are families limited to a certain number of hours of services does the program provide transportation and meals how much does the facility cost what are the payment options overall thoroughly visit the facility and consider all options

Materials: n/a

Categories: Caregiver Needs&Support, Communication, Financial

Information: n/a

References: Helpguide org

Keywords: Respite care hiring help checking services

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

Respite care gives the busy caregiver a temporary break from the Care recipient (cr) one common option for respite care are independent care providers the following are tips for finding independent care providers

Try: Conduct an in-depth interview with each candidate speak with the candidate on the phone and the follow up with a thorough in person interview be specific about all of the tasks skills and schedules involved discuss compensation and payment schedules do not pay for services in advance request several work and personal

Materials: n/a

Categories: Caregiver Needs&Support

Information: n/a

References: Check references thoroughly if possible consider a background check it can cost some money upfront but the longer term savings are well worth it information references helpguide org

Keywords: Respite care home help caregiver help

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

Managing stress is important as a caregiver caring for a Care recipient (cr) make sure you reduce stress by relaxing yourself this is one significant way to manage your stress the following are healthy ways to reduce stress

Try: Take a break form the cr if possible go for a walk spend time in nature call a good friend sweat out tension with a good workout write in your journal take a long bath light scented candles savor a warm cup of coffee or tea play with a pet work in your garden get a massage read a good book listen to relaxing music watch television

Materials: n/a

Categories: Caregiver Needs&Support

Information: n/a

References: Helpguide org

Keywords: Respite care caregiver help

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

Care recipient (cr) is unable to make his her own health care decisions and care giver cg must now make these decisions for cr

Try: Have a trusted friend attend meetings with cg when he she meets with cr’s medical team doctor if unsure about something ask as many questions as needed to health care staff have friend take notes in meetings with health care staff

Materials: Pen and paper

Categories: Sage, Topic, Caregiver Needs&Support, Communication, Emotional Psychological, Maintenance, Medical Physical, Independence, Some Supervision, Maximum Supervision, Verbal Communication, So-So Verbal Comm, Poor Verbal Comm, Cognitive Awareness, Somewhat Aware, Unaware

Information: n/a

References: caring for a person with alzheimer’s disease your easy-to-use guide from the national institute on aging by national institute on aging 2011 available at www nia nih gov

Keywords: End of life care making health care decisions decision maker

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

Care recipient’s cr friends want to help cr’s family cope with care giving tasks

Try: If friends want to help but can’t get away from home schedule other friends or family to help with small jobs or to bring in meals

Materials: n/a

Categories: Sage, Topic, Caregiver Needs&Support, Communication, Maintenance, Medical Physical, Personal

Information: n/a

References: caring for a person with alzheimer’s disease your easy-to-use guide from the national institute on aging by national institute on aging 2011 available at www nia nih gov

Keywords: Care giver needs help not sure how to help supporting the care giver ways to help help helping out help with care giving

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

Care giver cg is hesitant to ask others for help

Try: Try to ask for help when needed don’t hesitate to suggest a specific task to someone who offers to help friends and family are probably anxious to do something for cg and or the Care recipient (cr) but they may be reluctant to repeatedly offer when cg is so busy

Materials: n/a

Categories: Sage, Topic, Caregiver Needs&Support, Communication, Emotional Psychological

Information: n/a

References: caring for a person with alzheimer’s disease your easy-to-use guide from the national institute on aging by national institute on aging 2011 available at www nia nih gov

Keywords: Care giver needs help not sure how to help supporting the care giver ways to help help helping out help with care giving

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

Care recipient’s cr friends want to help cr’s family cope with care giving tasks

Try: If unsure what help to offer talk to someone who has been through a similar situation find out what kind of help was useful

Materials: n/a

Categories: Sage, Topic, Caregiver Needs&Support, Communication, Maintenance, Medical Physical, Personal

Information: n/a

References: caring for a person with alzheimer’s disease your easy-to-use guide from the national institute on aging by national institute on aging 2011 available at www nia nih gov

Keywords: Care giver needs help not sure how to help supporting the care giver ways to help help helping out help with care giving

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