Jeremy P asked:


When the guide lines of Universal Health Care is that if the medical treatment is to expensive the government not the family the government has the right to not pay or it or you just can’t get treatment.
One more thing would Ted Kennedy go through this system no he would have the money to get the best. He doesn’t care about you or anyone.

Delaney

Rich Herman asked:


Being a primary caregiver takes a lot of time and effort, especially if someone is caring for a person with Alzheimer’s. Caregivers can easily get burned out or suffer health challenges of their own if they don’t get regular breaks. Even if your family is well equipped for caregiving, its important to be familiar with the many home care services that are available today for the elderly. Taking advantage of these services may give you the occasional day off or vacation that you need, without putting undo stress on your family or friends.

Even if you have other siblings that assist you in caring for a loved one, there are times when they are not available or something unexpected comes up. At these times, being familiar with companies or caregivers that specialize in providing home care services for the elderly can be just what you need. Each local area normally has some companies that offer a wide range of living assistance services. Normally, you can find these by using a search engine like Google or Yahoo and searching for the word “caregivers.” However, there are also companies that provide home care services for the elderly throughout the United States. Here are some nationwide, senior care service providers, that you may want to consider.

Visiting Angels

Sometimes you may feel like a nursing home or retirement center is your only option. Visiting Angels specializes in non-medical home care services for the elderly, allowing them to maintain as much independence as possible in familiar surroundings. They have over 300 offices across the country to serve you. Their website is: www.visitingangels.com.

Cargiver Needed

Search by state for caregivers, nurses, and sitters. Nurses are available for pediatric and geriatric care. They offer both non-medical and medical care for the elderly and for children. Both live in and live out caregiving options are available. Their website is: www.caregiverneeded.com.

Right at Home

A national, in home care assistance agency, that provides trained, insured and bonded caregivers for a wide range of elder care services. They can provide home health care from as little as a few hours to 24-hours a day. Services include: caring companionship, meal preparation, light housekeeping, bathing assistance, respite for family caregivers, and much more. Their website is: www.rightathome.net.

I hope that some of these resources are helpful to you in your role as a caregiver. This is just a few of the many resources that are available for today’s caregivers. Over the years we have been blessed to have family members and close friends that have teamed up with us to care for a loved one with Alzheimer’s. However, utilizing other caregiver resources, at times, has afforded us with much needed breaks, while still providing excellent care for our loved one.

Are you looking for more information on Caregiving?

Get more information on caregiving here: Caregiver Resources



Mason

Shay asked:


I need a website that lists if there are any benefits for adults taking care of their own elderly parents in Virginia. I don’t need to know about another states, just Virginia’s. My mother is taking care of my grandmother who can’t walk on her own or even use the bathroom without help. And we were wondering if there are any government benefits that will help us out.

Damian

Jo Nelson, R.N. asked:


You’ve spent hours pouring over information regarding elder care; you’ve researched and developed a plan of care for your elderly loved one that should be etched in gold! You’re feeling so relieved, knowing that they will now be safe at home, and a caregiver will be there with them when you can’t…until the day arrives when the caregiver comes to meet them, and your loved one refuses to open the door! What do you do now?

There can be many causes for this reaction to your plan. Perhaps they feel a loss of control in their lives. Maybe they resent feeling like they aren’t trusted to be alone at home any longer, and their self esteem is hurting. Maybe they’re afraid of having a stranger in their home. Maybe they want their privacy and don’t really understand why they need help in the first place! The way you respond to your loved one’s concerns may eventually determine if your “golden” care plan is going to be successful or not.

Before you even begin to initiate your care plan, include your loved one in the “research project.” Make sure they feel like they are a part of making the decisions as to who to hire, when the caregiver should come, and what type of care they may need. Even if they aren’t completely sure they need the help, it may give them the added confidence they need to know that you still value their input and respect their opinions.

If your loved one is fearful of having strangers in their home, listen to their concerns and let them know you understand. When deciding who to hire, make sure you go to a reputable agency that does criminal background checks and has good referrals and testimonials. Reassure your loved one of those things when you make your final choice. Make sure the caregiver comes to meet them for the first time when you are there with them, and give them a chance to form an initial impression before you insist on keeping that particular caregiver. Usually after just a few visits, the apprehension dissolves into a cheery, trusting relationship that your loved one will truly enjoy.

If they just don’t agree that they need the help, you have unfortunately entered into the greatest challenge of all, especially if your loved one is suffering from altered thought processes and is unable to identify with your concerns. This may be the time to be loving but firm with them, and let them know that there really isn’t a choice when their safety is at stake. Reassure them that your motive is to help them live at home for as long as they can safely do that, and let them know you’re on their side. Make compromises if you can safely do so; for instance, have the caregiver come the same number of visits per week, but maybe for shorter time periods. Try referring to the caregiver as the “cook” or the “housekeeper” …let them know you want to pamper them! Make sure your loved one realizes they aren’t expected to entertain their “guests”, and they can go about doing whatever they would normally do if no one was there. On the other hand, if your loved one enjoys socializing, suggest a lively game of cards when their caregiver is there, or some other activity with them that your loved one would enjoy. Persistence is the key…in time, your loved one will grow to accept their new lifestyle and the friction will dissipate.

Remember, in the midst of all these issues, your own health and lifestyle are also important. Caregiver burnout can be a real threat to you and your family if your loved one doesn’t cooperate with the plan of care you have worked so hard to design for them. Don’t allow yourself to be manipulated by a false sense of guilt if your loved one has difficulty making these adjustments. In time, they will realize that you have their best interest at heart, and they may even grow to appreciate you for it!



Josie

Daisymae † asked:


I was so full of life and had a sense of well-being, but after taking care of my parent, I keep thinking about how much time I have left. I don’t want to think this way, I want to continue to be happy and still look forward to things. Has anyone ever felt this way? If so, how long till you snapped out of it?
Martha Y - thank you for making me smile!

Hannah