6 Little Known Facts About the Real Life of Caregivers
The vast majority of caregivers for seniors in the U.S. aren’t nurses or trained professionals. They are the spouses, partners, family members, friends and neighbors of the older adults who need care. They are people like you. These caregivers humbly choose to care for their loved ones day in and day out, and they don’t […]
An Open Thank You Letter to Family Caregivers
Dear Caregivers, The month of November is National Family Caregiver Month – when we recognize the 90 million family caregivers in the U.S. today. Chicagoland Methodist Senior Services (CMSS) is proud to have gotten to know many of you who selflessly dedicate your time, energy, and attention to caring for your loved ones. You play […]
Reality – What Is It Good For?
Unless your loved ones are combative or a danger to themselves or others, it’s best to go with them wherever their memories take them.
5 Steps For a Successful Hospital Discharge
Elder Care Helper offers these five key steps to help you plan a safe and appropriate transition from hospital to home or rehabilitation center.
Making the Hardest Decision
You know the moment is approaching. A hundred times the notion has crossed your mind. You have always let it pass — until now. Your loved one’s medical condition has gotten worse in spite of your best efforts. His or her personal care needs and need for supervision have increased. You may feel exhausted. Your […]
Stepping into the Leadership Role
Alzheimer’s disease and related forms of dementia involve a progressive loss of one’s memory, thinking, language, and self-care skills. Someone with dementia eventually loses the capacity to be completely independent, and others must step up to provide assistance. A special brand of leadership is called for. At least one person must assume overall authority for […]
Lifting Safety for Caregivers
We may not recognize the risk we are putting ourselves in the moment of leaning over someone for an extended period of time. We may not feel any different a few minutes after lifting up a person from bed or transferring a person from a chair to a wheel chair, but inevitably, it hits us the […]
Communicating with Alzheimer’s Patients
I recently read an article in Parade about a speech-pathology professor at Ohio State University, Michelle S. Bourgeois, who is finding new ways to communicate with Alzheimer and Dementia patients.
Caregivers: The Importance of Adaptation
I can remember as a child how the adults around me would constantly remind their children how difficult it is to be a parent. It is a truism often stated that being a parent is one of the toughest jobs in the world. But no one ever spoke about the challenges facing the children of […]
