In an ideal world, all family members would share the responsibilities in caring for their elderly parent (s) when that parent can no longer care of themselves or needs assistance in doing so. Unfortunately, in the real world, inner family conflicts, emotional and physical distance, or other interferences prevent such meetings from taking place. In the end, one or two members of the family are left with all of the responsibility and burden of long term care for their parents.
In our case, our family "meeting" involved emailing our brother who lives in Northern California and talking to him when he comes down to visit with his family. Though there are six of us in our family, unfortunately, not all six of us are fully on board with the situation. Why? Read the above paragraph again. You'll probably find some similarities with your own family. If by chance, you are one of the lucky few who is able to gather all of the important figures together, you all have to come up with viable solutions to your parent or parents' needs. Where do you start? What do you talk about?
First rule of thumb, don't expect to have ANYTHING solved with 1,2 or 200 meetings. Circumstances change, people change, feelings change. The purpose of the meeting really, is to enlighten the others on the situation your parents are facing.
Assigning Duties: Probably the most important issue in conducting a meeting would be to decide who is responsible for what. How do you decide who will be responsible for what? In our case we have to put on many hats, because it's just the 2 of us. However, since my sister has an extensive financial background in her previous occupations, she has taken over their finances. Since my dad's stroke 8 years ago, I have been the primary "medical" person. I have taken both he and my mom to most of their doctor's appointments and have a thorough knowledge of their medical histories. Our brother offers input on different subjects from time to time and has offered financial assistance when the time calls for it. Our other sister has taken over nursing duties for our mom when our main caregiver takes her days off. Not all of this has been easy, and we still struggle, but we are working towards a goal and that is to make sure they live the rest of their lives peacefully and that we keep our sanity.
Things to Consider Topics to discuss and to consider are listed below.
· Latest Medical History and needs
· Emotional Needs
· Fears: both shared by parents and children about dying, being overwhelmed, changes in family dynamics after the death of a family member
· Daily Caregiving Needs: should they move in with someone, stay at home, or a facility?
· Safety?
· Financial Concerns
· Legal Concerns
· What type of support do they need? How will it change if their illness progresses?
There's a lot more to consider, but these are good areas to start if not, the most important areas. Think about what may be specific to your family situation too and hopefully, with proper planning, preparation and cooperation, your parents and your lives should run as smoothly as possible.
http://www.caring-for-mom-and-dad.info/
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Rose_Broyles
Friday, January 23, 2009
Elder Care Issues - Having a Family Meeting
Top Ten Cold and Flu hints and products
In the winter it's harder not to get sick, than it is to remain healthy throughout the season. For many reasons, we find ourselves grabbing for the tissues instead of our vacation guides. Many of us already are sick 365 (or 366 if it's a leap year!!) days of a year, so we need to get over this whole mess fast! Here are the top ten tips and products to help you get through the cold and flu season this year.
1- Get a flu shot!!! They talk about the "most at risk" categories, but the truth is if you don't have egg allergies (since the vaccine is made from eggs,) there is no reason NOT to get one. This year there is PLENTY to go around and it is never too late to receive one, in order to protect yourself. This won't guarantee you will not have any flu episodes, but it can help! And let's face it, we need all the help we can get!! (If you don't think you can afford an office visit and the shot, look for clinics in your area. Many pharmacies have them throughout the season.)
2- Air out that house! We shut ourselves in with some drying heat method and forget that we need fresh air! Turn down the thermostat a little and crack a window open for 15 minutes. Just get some freshness in and breathe deep. A little goes a long way to keeping you healthy and breaking the cycle of "pass the cold."
3- Use saline! Saline will help thin mucus, prevent build-up and moisturize those traumatized passages. Gel saline is great for overnight! It's a simple thing you can do to help things along. Also it's good to use before bed if your heating method, like forced air or a wood stove, is particularly drying! A little prevention goes a long way.
4- Use products made to shorten a cold! (Try Zicam for OTC) If you go for prescription or over the counter methods, they all really help. They can shorten a cold or flu from 7-14 days right down to 5 or less, depending on the situation and the method. Save yourself days!!! (Of course, consult your doctor before taking anything new.)
5- Use supplements like Airborne. These immune boosters really do help! Use them before going to malls, on planes or even before bed to help your body fight something off. They taste great, are easy to use and relatively inexpensive compared to some of the treatments available! (A good multivitamin can be a boost as well!!)
6- Think positive!! My mother never got sick and her secret? She refused to get sick! She thought "I won't get a cold this year! I am just fine!" Sometimes mind over matter can be a big thing! Also a more depressed mood can depress your immune system and stress your entire body! Perhaps you can join a church group or just an online peer-to-peer chat mailing list.
7- Hand washing is the best! Use warm, not hot, water with a good soap. (Antibacterial or not, it doesn't matter!!) Work up a rich lather (paying attention to between fingers, wrists and under nails as well!) and sing "Happy Birthday" in your head twice. Rinse thoroughly. Dry thoroughly. Every step is important and just washing several times a day like this can prevent SO MUCH! I highly recommend good lotion soap this time of year too. Dry skin can crack and cause issues! (Maybe try some lotion after washing!!)
8- Exercise! We all get home bound eating rich, hearty baked meals this time of year and forget to enjoy the season! Take a good long walk and move those muscles! (Another way to get fresh air, too!) If you bundle up right, you can go anywhere without fear! Exercise helps both body and mind and a well exercised body can easily fight off more, making it less likely you will catch that office cold!!! (Just be careful in slippery conditions!!)
9- Relax! Now you got fresh air and exercised, find time in all the stress and bustle this time of year to do some yoga, meditate, write in a journal or simply listen to some music with a hot cup of something. We forget ourselves a lot of times, but this time of year you are just as important as everyone else. My best friend swears a good hot bath can fix anything, even create world peace! While I don't think as highly of them, I do believe in their power of restoration! Try it!
10- See your doctor!! A good well visit this time of year can be a push to catch things early! Also before trying most of this, it's recommended you see your doctor for drug interactions and advice! What is good for the goose may not always be good for the gander. Always work within your limits and never get discouraged if something doesn't work as fast as you'd like or maybe not at all.
Stay healthy and have a wonderful winter season!!
© 2008 by Jennifer Altherr, Butyoudontlooksick.com
1- Get a flu shot!!! They talk about the "most at risk" categories, but the truth is if you don't have egg allergies (since the vaccine is made from eggs,) there is no reason NOT to get one. This year there is PLENTY to go around and it is never too late to receive one, in order to protect yourself. This won't guarantee you will not have any flu episodes, but it can help! And let's face it, we need all the help we can get!! (If you don't think you can afford an office visit and the shot, look for clinics in your area. Many pharmacies have them throughout the season.)
2- Air out that house! We shut ourselves in with some drying heat method and forget that we need fresh air! Turn down the thermostat a little and crack a window open for 15 minutes. Just get some freshness in and breathe deep. A little goes a long way to keeping you healthy and breaking the cycle of "pass the cold."
3- Use saline! Saline will help thin mucus, prevent build-up and moisturize those traumatized passages. Gel saline is great for overnight! It's a simple thing you can do to help things along. Also it's good to use before bed if your heating method, like forced air or a wood stove, is particularly drying! A little prevention goes a long way.
4- Use products made to shorten a cold! (Try Zicam for OTC) If you go for prescription or over the counter methods, they all really help. They can shorten a cold or flu from 7-14 days right down to 5 or less, depending on the situation and the method. Save yourself days!!! (Of course, consult your doctor before taking anything new.)
5- Use supplements like Airborne. These immune boosters really do help! Use them before going to malls, on planes or even before bed to help your body fight something off. They taste great, are easy to use and relatively inexpensive compared to some of the treatments available! (A good multivitamin can be a boost as well!!)
6- Think positive!! My mother never got sick and her secret? She refused to get sick! She thought "I won't get a cold this year! I am just fine!" Sometimes mind over matter can be a big thing! Also a more depressed mood can depress your immune system and stress your entire body! Perhaps you can join a church group or just an online peer-to-peer chat mailing list.
7- Hand washing is the best! Use warm, not hot, water with a good soap. (Antibacterial or not, it doesn't matter!!) Work up a rich lather (paying attention to between fingers, wrists and under nails as well!) and sing "Happy Birthday" in your head twice. Rinse thoroughly. Dry thoroughly. Every step is important and just washing several times a day like this can prevent SO MUCH! I highly recommend good lotion soap this time of year too. Dry skin can crack and cause issues! (Maybe try some lotion after washing!!)
8- Exercise! We all get home bound eating rich, hearty baked meals this time of year and forget to enjoy the season! Take a good long walk and move those muscles! (Another way to get fresh air, too!) If you bundle up right, you can go anywhere without fear! Exercise helps both body and mind and a well exercised body can easily fight off more, making it less likely you will catch that office cold!!! (Just be careful in slippery conditions!!)
9- Relax! Now you got fresh air and exercised, find time in all the stress and bustle this time of year to do some yoga, meditate, write in a journal or simply listen to some music with a hot cup of something. We forget ourselves a lot of times, but this time of year you are just as important as everyone else. My best friend swears a good hot bath can fix anything, even create world peace! While I don't think as highly of them, I do believe in their power of restoration! Try it!
10- See your doctor!! A good well visit this time of year can be a push to catch things early! Also before trying most of this, it's recommended you see your doctor for drug interactions and advice! What is good for the goose may not always be good for the gander. Always work within your limits and never get discouraged if something doesn't work as fast as you'd like or maybe not at all.
Stay healthy and have a wonderful winter season!!
© 2008 by Jennifer Altherr, Butyoudontlooksick.com
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
Brought to you by Home Care Assistance of North Central New Jersey. Serving North Jersey, Central Jersey, North/Central Jersey, Essex County, Morris County, Warren County , Union County , Somerset County , Raritan Valley , and Hunterdon County.
Located at Warren Twp (near Watchung) and Parsipanny, NJ our office hours are 9 AM to 5PM Monday through Friday. For our valued clients, we have a care manager on call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Call your local office today at (908) 668-8200 or e-mail us directly at km@homecareassistance.com - We look forward to talking with you and providing your in-home care needs.
Take Charge of Your Vision!
By Dr. Bruce P. Rosenthal
Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of legal blindness in Americans over 50, yet a disease that few talked about until recently.
For years, many assumed vision loss was a natural result of aging. We are learning that this isn't the case. Much can be done to preserve vision through prevention, early detection via regular eye exams, treatment, vision rehabilitation, support services and research.
AMD is an eye disease that causes loss of central vision, leaving only peripheral vision intact. Possible warning signs of AMD include difficulty in distinguishing colors, blurry images, straight lines that appear distorted or wavy and central vision blocked by dark or empty spaces. Those affected by AMD often have trouble reading a book, driving a car and distinguishing faces and traffic signs.
An estimated 6 million Americans have vision loss from AMD and approximately 13 to 15 million Americans have pre-symptomatic signs of AMD. Some form of AMD affects 25 to 30 million people worldwide, and that number is predicted to double in the next 35 years.
Smoking is the only proven risk factor for AMD. Other possible risk factors include genetics, cataracts, hypertension, sun exposure, farsightedness, light skin or eye color and a diet low in vitamins, minerals and antioxidants.
Despite the prevalence of AMD, awareness remains quite low. A study commissioned by the AMD Alliance International revealed that only 3 percent of Americans surveyed think AMD is the leading cause of severe sight loss among adults 50 and older and 79 percent are not aware of any treatment options for the disease. (Research Source: Survey among representative samples of 6,591 adults from Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, United Kingdom and United States commissioned by AMD Alliance International, May 1999).
Every week, new AMD patients arrive at LIGHTHOUSE INTERNATIONAL claiming they were "dismissed" by their regular doctors with the words, "There is nothing more I can do for you." This is absolutely wrong. The field of low vision is advancing daily, and there are many ways to make the most of remaining sight.
Follow these initial steps, along with others recommended by your eye care provider, to take charge of your vision.
Regular Eye Exams: It is imperative that regular eye exams and tests (Amsler Grid) and early detection are a priority especially if there is a family history of this condition. This enables your eye care provider to discuss available options for treatment, rehabilitation and support services, as well as other recommendations for your specific lifestyle, diet and circumstances.
Treatment: Talk with your eye care provider to learn more about the two treatments that currently exist to treat some forms of wet AMD—photodynamic therapy and laser photocoagulation—as well as research on the horizon.
Vision Rehabilitation: Counseling and training help people with vision impairment to function independently. Discuss tools such as low vision aids and magnifiers, lighting, computer enhancements, large print publications, "talking" devices like books, watches and microwaves and practical daily living skills for reading, cooking, sewing and more.
Support Services: Reach out to find support groups of patients and vision experts in your local area.
Life does not end with a diagnosis of AMD. Today, it is possible to see better and live an active and rich life despite the loss of central vision.
If you have a friend or a loved one who has AMD or any other vision problem and could use some extra assistance, be sure to tell them about home care services in your area.
Brought to you by Home Care Assistance of North Central New Jersey. Serving North Jersey, Central Jersey, North Central Jersey, Essex County, Morris County, Warren County , Union County , Somerset County , Raritan Valley , and Hunterdon County.
Located at Warren Twp by Watchung and Parsipanny, NJ our office hours are 9 AM to 5PM Monday through Friday. For our valued clients, we have a care manager on call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Call your local office today at (908) 668-8200 or e-mail us directly at km@homecareassistance.com - We look forward to talking with you and providing your in-home care needs.
Dr. Rosenthal is chairman of AMD Alliance International and chief of Low Vision Programs at Lighthouse International. He is also an executive council member of the Low Vision Section of the American Optometric Association. He has written and lectured widely on visual impairment.
Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of legal blindness in Americans over 50, yet a disease that few talked about until recently.
For years, many assumed vision loss was a natural result of aging. We are learning that this isn't the case. Much can be done to preserve vision through prevention, early detection via regular eye exams, treatment, vision rehabilitation, support services and research.
AMD is an eye disease that causes loss of central vision, leaving only peripheral vision intact. Possible warning signs of AMD include difficulty in distinguishing colors, blurry images, straight lines that appear distorted or wavy and central vision blocked by dark or empty spaces. Those affected by AMD often have trouble reading a book, driving a car and distinguishing faces and traffic signs.
An estimated 6 million Americans have vision loss from AMD and approximately 13 to 15 million Americans have pre-symptomatic signs of AMD. Some form of AMD affects 25 to 30 million people worldwide, and that number is predicted to double in the next 35 years.
Smoking is the only proven risk factor for AMD. Other possible risk factors include genetics, cataracts, hypertension, sun exposure, farsightedness, light skin or eye color and a diet low in vitamins, minerals and antioxidants.
Despite the prevalence of AMD, awareness remains quite low. A study commissioned by the AMD Alliance International revealed that only 3 percent of Americans surveyed think AMD is the leading cause of severe sight loss among adults 50 and older and 79 percent are not aware of any treatment options for the disease. (Research Source: Survey among representative samples of 6,591 adults from Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, United Kingdom and United States commissioned by AMD Alliance International, May 1999).
Every week, new AMD patients arrive at LIGHTHOUSE INTERNATIONAL claiming they were "dismissed" by their regular doctors with the words, "There is nothing more I can do for you." This is absolutely wrong. The field of low vision is advancing daily, and there are many ways to make the most of remaining sight.
Follow these initial steps, along with others recommended by your eye care provider, to take charge of your vision.
Regular Eye Exams: It is imperative that regular eye exams and tests (Amsler Grid) and early detection are a priority especially if there is a family history of this condition. This enables your eye care provider to discuss available options for treatment, rehabilitation and support services, as well as other recommendations for your specific lifestyle, diet and circumstances.
Treatment: Talk with your eye care provider to learn more about the two treatments that currently exist to treat some forms of wet AMD—photodynamic therapy and laser photocoagulation—as well as research on the horizon.
Vision Rehabilitation: Counseling and training help people with vision impairment to function independently. Discuss tools such as low vision aids and magnifiers, lighting, computer enhancements, large print publications, "talking" devices like books, watches and microwaves and practical daily living skills for reading, cooking, sewing and more.
Support Services: Reach out to find support groups of patients and vision experts in your local area.
Life does not end with a diagnosis of AMD. Today, it is possible to see better and live an active and rich life despite the loss of central vision.
If you have a friend or a loved one who has AMD or any other vision problem and could use some extra assistance, be sure to tell them about home care services in your area.
Brought to you by Home Care Assistance of North Central New Jersey. Serving North Jersey, Central Jersey, North Central Jersey, Essex County, Morris County, Warren County , Union County , Somerset County , Raritan Valley , and Hunterdon County.
Located at Warren Twp by Watchung and Parsipanny, NJ our office hours are 9 AM to 5PM Monday through Friday. For our valued clients, we have a care manager on call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Call your local office today at (908) 668-8200 or e-mail us directly at km@homecareassistance.com - We look forward to talking with you and providing your in-home care needs.
Dr. Rosenthal is chairman of AMD Alliance International and chief of Low Vision Programs at Lighthouse International. He is also an executive council member of the Low Vision Section of the American Optometric Association. He has written and lectured widely on visual impairment.
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