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    January 24, 2020 Family Caregiver0

    3 Ways to find joy in the midst of care-giving

    Is it possible to find joy in the midst of care-giving?

    If you’re reading this and you’re a caregiver, I just want to remind you of this fact: you’re a hero!

    What you have to do every day to care for your loved ones is not an easy feat.

    Yet, you wake up each day and do it like a champ.

    We’ve talked on this blog a lot about the importance of taking care of yourself as a caregiver.

    In fact, the evidence is clear that when you take better care of yourself as a caregiver, you’re more likely to provide better care.

    But how exactly do you find joy in the midst of caring for your loved one? Especially when they have a difficult diagnosis?

    Perhaps you’re dealing with a dementia or Alzheimer’s diagnosis.

    Perhaps it’s some other disease that has been classified as terminal.

    How in the world do you find joy in that?

    In today’s post, we look at some ways you could find joy in the midst of caring for your loved one with a difficult diagnosis.

    Finding joy in the midst of care-giving

    You cannot find the good if you just ignore the bad

    When a loved one is given a difficult diagnosis, it is part of the grieving process to deny that you’re sad; especially in the beginning.

    During this time, you might dedicate all your energy to making plans to take care of your loved one.

    It might also be a season where you are learning a lot about the new diagnosis and how you can support your loved one.

    In fact, you may be so engrossed in trying to be the best care-giver, that you forget that your emotions are taking a severe hit.

    Don’t ignore how you feel.

    Allow yourself to grieve.

    Giving yourself space to recognize your feelings, document them and process them is the first step finding joy in the midst of caring for your loved one.

    This may also mean admitting to yourself that you need to speak to a mental health professional.

    Find a support community

    There are hundreds and in many cases, thousands of people who are dealing with the same scenario you’re dealing with.

    Usually, a health case worker for your loved one or your doctor may have some information on local support groups that you can be a part of.

    You will learn a lot of caring techniques others have been successful with.

    A support community will also help you navigate the emotions you’re feeling more effectively.

    And you won’t feel so alone on your journey when you know that there are others walking the same path as you.

    Take time to do things you enjoy

    You probably laughed at that headline because you’re thinking, “what time, Gertrude?”

    I get it.

    If you’re a full-time worker and a full-time care-giver, it can be hard to find any time for yourself.

    This is where we can get creative.

    Here’s a tip – make it a part of your care-giving routine.

    For instance, if you love to read but haven’t had the time for it because you’re care-giving, you could make reading a book to your loved one a part of your routine.

    Your loved one will enjoy your company and the chance to participate in an activity.

    And you will get to enjoy your reading – even if it’s just for a few minutes.

     

    Care-giving is hard. Finding joy in the midst of it is hard.

    But the 3 things we discussed above will go a long way to helping you find joy in the midst of care-giving.

     

     

    CONTINUE READING
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    January 21, 2020 Aging In Place0

    10 Volunteering ideas for retired people in 2020

    Need volunteering ideas for retired people? You’ll love these.
    Your contribution to society didn’t end with your retirement party.
     
    Volunteering is a wonderful way to break up the monotony of your day. And it’s a powerful way to keep your mind engaged.
     
    In fact, I know that you are reading this post because you’re thinking of ways to volunteer and need some ideas.
     
    You’re in the right place!
     
    In today’s post, I will go over volunteer ideas that work for all ages. They will especially work for you if you’re recently retired.
     
    Let’s go!
     

    10 volunteering ideas for retired people in 2020

    Volunteer at your local school

    Schools are constantly looking for volunteers to help in various capacities. You could help in the classroom, on the playground, or in the dining area.
     
    If you love children and don’t mind working with them, this is an excellent way to contribute.
     
    Most schools will need you to apply to volunteer and also to get clearance before you would be allowed to volunteer.
     

    Special needs volunteer at local facilities

    Various people with special needs – young and old – receive services in the community and sometimes the truth is that, resources are stretched. 
     
    If you volunteer at these facilities, it will benefit both of you.
     

    Nursing home volunteering

    Perhaps a nursing home is not in your future but you would like to interact with older adults and help them thrive in a nursing home?
     
    This is an excellent volunteer opportunity for retirees as well.
     

    Soup kitchen/food pantry volunteer

    Is it just me or do you just feel good about yourself when you help others?
     
    One of the most powerful volunteering opportunities I’ve ever participated in has involved giving food to people.
     
    Soup kitchens and food pantries typically rely on the goodwill of other people to run smoothly.
     
    You might be one of those good people.
     

    Hospital volunteering

    You can volunteer at a local hospital in many capacities.
     
    Reading books to sick children and delivering hospital bedding to floors was something I saw volunteers do all the time when I practiced nursing.
     
    You can find out more about volunteering at your local hospital by walking into the hospital or by going onto their website. 
     

    Volunteer with relief organizations

    Relief organizations also depend heavily on volunteers like you.
     
    If you are a retired medical professional, you can get involved in groups like Doctors without Borders or Nurses without Borders or the Red Cross.
     
    Church and religious organizations routinely organize groups that travel to areas hit by disasters to help out the affected communities.
     
    This is something to look out for as well. 
     

    Volunteer at youth centers

    Youth centers around the country are looking for mentors to help children with homework and to keep them in a safe environment.
     
    These places also depend on volunteers and goodwill to keep running.
     

    Teach career skills

    You thrived in your career and now there are thousands of young people who want to thrive in their careers like you.
     
    This is a golden opportunity to share the secrets of your success with the generations after you.
     
    College career centers, youth centers and church organizations are all places to consider as places to teach your skills. 
     
    Once you find the right place to volunteer, people will be willing to learn everything they can from you.

    Community clean up volunteer

    You’ve lived in your community for years and love it.

    You can contribute to it as a community clean up volunteer.

    Be a companion

    You’d be surprised to know that there are people in your community who need your companionship.

    These could be other retired people, people on bed-rest with a chronic illness or even people who have just had a baby.

    This could be a great way to volunteer as well.

     

     
    There you have it.
     
    10 volunteering ideas for retired people.
     
    Did any of these resonate with you?
     
    Do you know someone who is retired and itching to volunteer? 
     
    Share this post with them.
    CONTINUE READING
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    January 10, 2020 Family Caregiver2

    What causes thick toenails in the elderly?

    What causes thick toenails in the elderly?

    You’ve noticed that mom’s nails have grown thicker, yellow and difficult to cut.

    They have kept up with their personal hygiene on a daily basis.

    They are taking their medications regularly, so what is the problem?

    The truth is that older people are at risk of developing nail changes as part of the aging process.

    A dampening in the immune system of elderly people and other age related disorders can all contribute to the thick toenails in the elderly.

    Thickened nails usually seem harmless at first. However, in some cases, if they’re left untreated, it could affect the surrounding skin and cause pain.

    If these problems advance, they could even impair your loved one’s movements.

    In today’s post, we will look at the causes of thickened nails in the elderly and what you can do to treat or reduce the chances of the condition.

    What causes thick toenails in the elderly?

    Reduced blood flow to the toenails.

    Although scientists don’t completely understand why, as people age, blood flow to the furthest parts of the body such as the fingernails and toenails becomes reduces. With this reduction, it means less oxygen is able to reach the toenails. This can lead to thickened and discolored nails.

    Psoriasis

    Psoriasis is an autoimmune condition that affects the skin. If your loved one has psoriasis, the chances that their nails become thick also increase.

    Age-related changes in nail turnover

    Regularly, our nails “turnover” or new nail tissue forms to replace the old.

    As people get older, the rate at which this happens slows down.

    Because of this slow nail turnover, you can have thickening in the toenails.

    Fungal infections can cause thick toenails in the elderly

    A fungal infection may also be responsible for thick toenails in your loved one.

    Fungi thrive in warm and moist areas of the skin.

    Improper foot and nail care can lead to these fungal infection developing and therefore causing thick nails.

    Footwear that is too tight, feet that are not cleaned properly after a bath, diabetes and reduced blood flow are all precursors to an infection that thickens the nails.

    Injury

    Injuries can also cause thick toenails in the elderly.

    Smoking

    Smoking can also cause thickened toenails.

    What you can do to help your elderly loved one with thick toenails

    So what can you do as a caregiver to help your elderly loved one who has thick toenails?

    First of all, I recommend that you see a podiatrist or a dermatologist.

    A podiatrist is a trained medical professional who diagnoses and treats diseases of feet and lower limbs.

    A dermatologist is a trained doctor who specializes in diseases and conditions of the skin, hair and nails.

    Talk to them.

    A podiatrist will be able to diagnose what the problem is (if there is an underlying health problem) and prescribe any medication that is needed.

    Apart from this, there are things you can do on a daily basis to keep thick nails at bay.

    • Daily movements to help with blood flow. Like I mentioned above, reduced blood flow to the toenails can cause thick toenails. Helping your elderly get at least 30 minutes of movement throughout the day can help with circulation immensely.
    • Shoes and socks that fit properly are a must. The right shoes and socks can make a lot of difference when it comes to blood circulation.
    • Help your loved one dry their feet completely after a bath.
    • Make sure to cut their nails properly.
    • The right diet is also important.

    Closing thoughts

    While thick nails may not be completely avoidable in some cases, it’s possible to reduce how much they occur and their effects on your elderly loved one.

    Did you find this post helpful?

    Consider sharing it with a caregiver friend who is looking for solutions for thick nails in their elderly loved one.

    CONTINUE READING
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    January 7, 2020 Dementia Care0

    Music therapy for the elderly

    Music therapy for your elderly loved one: how could it help them thrive and age in place?

    While listening to music on your own is wonderful, this is not the same as music therapy.

    Music therapy is an established health profession in which the therapist uses music to help a person address any physical, emotional, cognitive and social needs.

    A music therapist is trained in music therapy and uses it for the well-being of individuals.

    You can find them at hospitals, nursing homes, adult day care centers or by calling your nearest healthcare facility and asking about music therapy services.

    What are the benefits of music therapy?

    There is research that shows that:

    1. Music therapy can reduce anxiety and stress and the effects of these.
    2. Music therapy can improve healing.
    3. If you have a loved one with Alzheimer’s Disease or dementia, music therapy can help them.
    4. It reduces the symptoms of depression.
    5. Music therapy helps with other psychological disorders as well.
    6. Have a loved one struggling with communication? Music therapy can help them communicate better.
    7. Music therapy improves a person’s motivation to become engaged in their treatment.
    8. It can provide an outlet for people to express their feelings and improve communication.
    9. This can be a way to support clients and their families emotionally.

    What does music do to the brain?

    Music stimulates the brain in ways that other things don’t.

    Music has the power to affect a person’s memory and learning.

    There have been studies that show that playing music in the background while people learn, helps them remember the information better.

    And have you noticed you never forget nursery rhymes that taught you a lesson about life or science?

    I learned a song for the names of the planets in our galaxy when I was 10 or 11. To this day, I’m able to recall all the names of the planets simply by singing that song.

    Music has a powerful effect on our brains and simple scenarios like the ones I’ve described above demonstrate that.

    With music therapy draws on this power to help individuals improve their overall well-being and health.

    Who can benefit from music therapy?

    Music therapy can benefit your older loved one who has dementia, Alzheimer’s Disease or one who suffers from chronic pain.

    Research results and clinical experiences have shown music therapy to be especially helpful to elderly clients who haven’t responded to other types of treatments.

    Because of the power of music on the brain-an organ that is affected when a person has dementia or Alzheimer’s Disease-music therapists can draw on this to help your elderly loved one.

    So how can a music therapist help my elderly loved one?

    A qualified music therapist will assess the needs of your loved one as a first step.

    Once they’re able to determine your loved one’s strengths, and specific needs, they come up with an individualized plan for your loved one. This treatment plan will have goals as well as the techniques they will used to help your loved one.

    A music therapist may:

    • compose music with your elderly loved one
    • accompany your loved one to a musical experience
    • or provide instruction on how to play an instrument

    The specific music therapy techniques will depend on their initial and on-going assessments so it will not look the same for everyone.

    If your loved one has Alzheimer’s Disease, dementia or is a chronic pain sufferer, talk to your doctor about a music therapy option.

    It could be a way to improve things for your loved one, and possibly, your whole family.

     

    CONTINUE READING
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    January 3, 2020 Dementia Care0

    Are brain health supplements any good?

    If you’ve had a loved one who has dementia or Alzheimer’s Disease, then you have probably come across advertisements for brain health supplements.

    And even if you don’t have a loved one with any such condition, chances are you have seen those types of ads on late night television.

    Is there any truth to it?

    Are these brain supplements any good for you?

    Can they prevent or cure conditions like dementia?

    In today’s post, we’ll explore these questions.

    Are brain health supplements good for you?

    It can be reassuring when someone tells you they have the cure for a devastating condition.

    However, as of this writing, even though there are medications that can deal with some symptoms of Alzheimer’s, none of those drugs cure the disease.

    Researchers have received millions of dollars to study these drugs but so far, one thing we’re sure of is that none of them can cure.

    Now let’s talk about brain health supplements.

    Most supplements in the United States do not have a lot of research behind them.

    This also means that these supplements are not approved for what their manufacturers claim they can cure.

    And this is where we have to be careful.

    These supplements may very well do what they are marketed to do.

    However, because they are not regulated, they could contain chemicals that could be downright dangerous.

    So be cautious.

    The FDA takes action against companies selling supplements said to cure or treat Alzheimer’s

    In February of 2019, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) posted 12 warning letters and 5 advisory letters that they had written to foreign and local companies.

    These companies were illegally selling as many as 58 supplements that claimed to prevent, cure or treat Alzheimer’s Disease.

    Again, while some of these could have a benefit, nobody knows their effect either in the short-term or the long-term.

    And so the FDA had to put a cap on it before it became a safety problem.

    It’s important as a caregiver or consumer that you do your research and are not swept up by the claims of some of these companies who clearly do what they’re doing to make a profit.

     

    So are brain health supplements bad for you?

    At this point, nobody can give a definitive answer because nobody knows.

    So do your diligence before buying any such supplements.

     

     

    CONTINUE READING

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