Becoming a Family Caregiver
If caring for a family loved one is new for you or if you are experiencing the stresses of being a family caregiver, then this FREE community education forum is for you. You will learn: What being a caregiver is all about What being a caregiver means to the family The core values of being […]
10 Surprising Clues You’ll Live to 100 (1-5)
Will you follow George Burns, Bob Hope, Elizabeth the “Queen Mum,” and Grandma Moses in living to 100? Reposted from Caring.com About one in 10,000 people seems to be a “slow ager” who lives to 100 — sometimes even in spite of bad health habits, like smoking or exercising little, according to new research. Will […]
Dementia & Diabetes: The Missing Link?
By Janice Wood Associate News Editor People with diabetes face a far greater risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease and now researchers at The City College of New York say they have found a reason why. Biologist Dr. Chris Li and her colleagues found that a single gene, known to be present in many Alzheimer’s disease […]
June Client Satisfaction Survey Results
Blessings! For Seniors Companion Care strives to obtain superior client satisfaction. To know how well we are doing, Blessings! uses Home Care Pulse, a national survey company that conducts telephone interviews with our clients on a monthly bases. Below are the June comments. In bold is the category and the italics are the clients comments. […]
8 Steps to Consider If You Are a Family Caregiver. Steps 6-8
Step 6. Define and set limits. Some of the behaviors of a person with dementia, such as wandering away from home, erratic sleep patterns, and violent or belligerent conduct, may compromise the health and safety of your loved one and/or others in the home. Write down and talk to others about what you perceive ahead […]
8 Steps to Consider If You Are a Family Caregiver. Steps 4 & 5
Step 4. Facilitate conversations. Discussion about health conditions, finances, legal affairs, and end-of-life care are often difficult conversations at best, even among loving family members. But they are critical to understanding the needs and desires of our loved ones as they age, particularly if we become the guardian of those wishes. Timing and place are […]
8 Steps to Consider If You Are a Family Caregiver.Steps 2-3
Step 2. Educate yourself and your loved ones about dementia. “If only I knew then what I know now” is an irony known to many dementia caregivers. Knowing what to expect prepares you to navigate the difficult road ahead. It also provides tools for dealing with some of the cognitive and behavioral challenges associated with […]
8 Steps to Consider If You Are a Family Caregiver
Most people do not consciously choose to become a primary caregiver for a loved one with dementia. As devoted and loving family members or friends, we usually assume this new role without much consideration, preparation, or planning. By creating a strategic plan of care from the outset, however, we can significantly enhance our ability to […]
How to Communicate with People Who Have Dementia Part 5
Ask yourself, “What difference does it make?” The simple question, “What difference does it make?” may simplify the complex question of “How cognitively intact must a person be to make this decision?” For instance, it matters very little if a person’s clothing matches (the person with dementia can choose what to wear); or what a […]
How to Communicate with People Who Have Dementia
Recognize the difference between competency and capacity While individuals with dementia may be judged legally incompetent, they generally retain some cognitive capacity to make decisions and exercise personal choice. Preserving their personal choice is critical to respecting them, to enhancing their personal worth, and to fostering social engagement. Competency is a legal term. Because it […]
