Seniors ETC - In-home senior, parent, companion care, hospice support in Colorado

I ran across a wonderful caregiver article today that talks about being a caregiver, and how you can become more effective at it.

I like the author’s take on becoming a FAR caregiver.

FAR stands for forgiveness, acceptance, and realism.

In order to be effective, it’s important to forgive what’s happened in the past, and concentrate on today. It’s important to except what is, and realize you can’t change it - you must accept it. It’s also important to believe you are doing all you can for your loved one, and don’t waste precious moments on wishing what could be.

In the early stages of Alzheimer’s, both you and your loved one are coming to terms with what you can and can’t do. As Alzheimer’s progresses, your responsibilities as a caregiver will also increase.  Here are some tips to help you.

• A person with Alzheimer’s may become frustrated when they can’t perform simple tasks. Schedule these items during periods of the day that your loved one is most calm. Establish routines to help with confusion. And let him or her help as much as possible. For instance, let her choose between two outfits, then lay out the clothes in the order they go on.
• Stay as flexible as possible. Things may change daily for a patient with Alzheimer’s. A person may decide that a favorite food is now unappealing, or choose one item of clothing that they want to wear again and again. Relax your standards – find work arounds, such as buying two or three of the same sweater to have one available and one to wash.
• Create a safe environment to avoid injury. Move throw rugs, extension cords and any other clutter that may be challenging. Remove items that may be of risk, such as medicines, alcohol, guns, and other dangerous tools.

The national average hourly rate for home health aides is $19.

The national average hourly rate for homemakers/companions is $18.

The national average daily rate for adult day centers is $61.

Source: The MetLife Market Survey of Adult Day Services & Home Care Costs, September 2007

More than 27 million caregivers provide care for a family member, averaging about 20 hours of care each week. And this trend is only going to increase as baby boomers age.

If you find yourself in a caregiving role, the most important thing you can do is take care of yourself. You owe it to yourself. Without it, you may not have the mental and emotional strength necessary to continue the role indefinitely.

• Don’t worry about perfection. You’re doing the best you can do and that’s good enough.
  Ask for help – even with the littlest of things. Sometimes even a 10 minute break can allow you to spend time on something you enjoy, such as a chapter in a book.
• Pamper yourself regularly. Schedule a manicure or a massage. Enjoy a warm bath in candlelight. Make time for it, and put it into your schedule to make sure you stick to it.
• Incorporate activities that give you pleasure into your day. Listen to music, spend a few minutes in the garden, or go for a walk. In many cases you can combine something you enjoy into your caregiving.
• Watch a comedy video, or read a lighthearted book. Sometimes laughter is the best medicine, and this can often lighten your mood.
• Join a support group, or take a class. Just getting out and talking with peers can lighten your mood. One group may be all you have time for, but work in different types of support. Maybe an oil painting class is just what you need to give you time away from caregiving, and give you a newfound skill.

Ready or not, the holiday season is upon us. Malls and retail stores will be crowded with much hustle and bustle. The crowds, excitement, and activity can provide fertile ground for criminal activity. Lots of opportunities for distraction can occur. A Mom can go running after a tot, leaving shopping bags and/or a purse sitting unattended. The push-and-pull of people bumping into one another to catch the big sale can assist those who would desire to lift a wallet from a man’s back pocket or out of a purse that is carried open.  Checks, credit cards, and Driver’s License’s are laid on counters with a bevy of people nearby. Many retail outlets will hire short-term clerks for the holiday season; some may be bent on stealing personal information. Tis’ the season for wonderful times…and opportunity for crime. Some suggestions:

• Never leave anything openly sitting in a car. Do not get out of a car and clearly place a purse, etc., in the trunk of your car;
• Take receipts and place them in your purse, wallet, or pocket. Do not leave them in shopping bags. Even though Colorado statute prohibits printing a whole credit card number on a receipt, many businesses still do so;
• Be aware of your surroundings. Watch for ‘shoulder surfers’ who are looking to capture bank account numbers from checks or credit card information;
• Reduce your use of checks. Use your debit card, with a PIN, and cover the Keypad when you enter your PIN;
• Try to avoid becoming distracted. Keep your purse in sight; better yet, carry economic information in a waist pack or pocket;
• To the best of your ability, keep your eye on your credit card; in restaurants or retail stores, take an extra moment to make sure you own credit card returned to you;
• Be wary of strangers who want to engage you in conversation. Sure it’s the holiday season and we all want to be friendly; however, crooks may try to distract you to steal personal information;
• Check your bank and credit card statements carefully. You have 30 days to report fraudulent bank charges and 60 days to report fraudulent credit card charges. Remember, crooks do not need to steal your checks or credit card to fraudulently use these financial instruments.

Source: Office of Jefferson/Gilpin Counties District Attorney Scott Storey