Looking At Elder Care
Looking At Elder Care
The Build Back Better legislation stuck in the Senate would provide relief for many American family members struggling to keep a family member living at home vs being placed in a nursing home.
By D. S. Mitchell
Caregiver Risks
Most of the people called on to help an ill or disabled family member have no training in being a caregiver. Not only that, but many spouses, sisters, brothers, sons and daughters have their own health problems and physical limitations. The risks of being a family caregiver is premature aging, sickness, death, depression, anger, resentment and potential financial loss. Aside from that, it can be rewarding and more worthwhile than anything you will ever do.
Financial Resources Make the Difference
Receiving affordable or free home care may be what makes the difference between a family member being able to stay in their home or being moved into an assisted living or nursing home. One in five Americans provide unpaid care to family members so they can continue to live in their home, according to a recent AARP report.
Tasks and Duties
The tasks required by a family caregiver is largely dependent on the physical, cognitive, and medical needs of the disabled person. With that said, consider the following needs;
- Hygiene, bathing, dressing, grooming, eating, toileting, positioning
- Shopping and running errands
- Paying bills, managing finances
- Meal planning and preparation
- Scheduling appointments and accompanying disabled individual to appointments
- Companionship and comfort
- Managing medications, monitoring vital signs, wound care, changing colostomy or catheter bags
- Pet care including exercise and nutrition
- Co-ordinating home maintenance needs and appointments
Look To Technology For Help
There are some new technologies that can help provide caregivers with some helpful options. There are pharmaceutical services that will mail prepackaged medication doses to the client’s house. Other services restrict the user’s access to medications beyond the individual daily dose. Apple has a waterproof smartwatch that lets users take calls and texts from their wrist. The technology offers multiple options such as health tracking (ie blood sugars), alerts (heart arrhythmias) fall detection, and GPS tracking.
Enlist All The Available Help
If the loved one wanders; an electronic pressure-sensitive alarm to alert the caregiver when the user gets up from the bed or their chair might be a good idea. There are door and motion sensor units (SMPL Wander Alert) that can pinpoint someone’s location. Surveillance cameras, baby monitors, smart devices with Wi-Fi allow remote check-ins. There are automatic stove/oven shut-offs. There are anti-scald devices that limit water temperature. Be smart, remove fall hazards such as scatter rugs. Placing STOP signs on doors will often deter the wandering person. Place grab bars in bathrooms. Install motion detection lights and mount handrails throughout the house.
Good Times
Make meal preparation easy. Cook, package and freeze individual microwaveable meals that you or your family member can easily reheat. Sit down to lunch with the family member and visit while eating. Relax. Physical and emotional exhaustion can lead to burnout and is a high risk for caregivers. Please take care of yourself. Remember you can’t help your loved one if you become sick or disabled. Give yourself a break. Meditation and deep breathing are encouraged. Consider respite care if you need short term relief. Adult day care is available in most areas of the country. With arrangements there is the possibility of an overnight stay at an assisted living facility. If your loved one is a veteran, contact your local veteran’s office for support. And, it may be time to enlist other family members to give you a hand. Sometimes all you need to do is ask.
Along Came Norman
As I said at the beginning, despite fatigue, frustration, and anger, caregiving an aging relative also brings great reward and meaning to the caregiver. From my own life experience I must say, I never expected to be a caregiver. Both my parents had died suddenly after long and productive lives. I was at a point where I was more concerned about who would be my caregiver, but that wasn’t where my life was headed.
Conclusion
After my Aunt Irene died, my father’s baby brother, my Uncle Norman needed me. I had always been close to Norman. My Uncle Norman was a joy. He was round faced and ready to smile and joke with little encouragement. He had been the “adult” uncle that joined the kids at picnics and family gatherings and played tag football. I remember he instituted a mandatory tickling contest at one party for anyone under 12. He, of course, was chief tickler. Norman had been my childhood buddy, and in adulthood my treasured friend. So, when it became clear that Norman needed assistance with his activities of daily living, I stepped up; and thank goodness I did, for both of us. He gave me more pleasure than anyone I have ever known and even though he has been gone for ten years his memory still makes me smile.
