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Juggling Caregiving in the Sandwich Generation
Caregiving

Juggling Caregiving in the Sandwich Generation

by Kathy Macaraeg
written by Kathy Macaraeg

One of the most challenging caregiving issues – outside of the actual caregiving tasks – is finding a way to balance caring for your elderly parent’s needs with your immediate family’s needs, particularly if you have children in the home. Parenting and caregiving are both physically, emotionally and financially draining endeavors with big rewards. Juggling Caregiving in the Sandwich Generation

You’ve heard the term “sandwich generation,” but the full impact of that role is difficult to imagine until you are living it. Your mother needs groceries but your child is home sick from school, or your mother took a fall but your child has an award ceremony. How do you manage the needs of two very different carees without feeling like you’ve failed both? Juggling Caregiving in the Sandwich Generation

Tips to Manage Being Part Of The Sandwich Generation

If you are part of the sandwich generation and are struggling to juggle parenting and caregiving, here are some tips to make your roles more manageable. Juggling Caregiving in the Sandwich Generation

Organization is Key:

Juggling the schedule of an elderly parent and children can be overwhelming. The best way to keep it all together when you are part of the sandwich generation is to set up a system to organize it all. I personally prefer an old fashioned planner, where I can drop all of my appointments on a monthly and weekly calendar and keep notes in the back. You can include contact information for all of your mother’s doctors, as well as the soccer schedule for your daughter.

Of course, the best system is the system that works best for you, so if you prefer a digital calendar, Google has a wonderful calendar that can be shared with other people. If you are coordinating rides for your children or parents, this is a great way to make sure everyone knows where they have to be.

Set up a good record-keeping system to ensure you don’t forget an important piece of information. Is it your mother who is allergic to penicillin, or is it your husband? Set up a medical file either in a binder, in a file cabinet, your phone or on your computer with important health information so you don’t forget those important details. Juggling Caregiving When You Are Part Of The Sandwich Generation

Share the Load:

Just because you live the closest to your elderly parent doesn’t mean you have to do everything yourself. I had a family who ran their mother’s care like a business. The three siblings were all part of the sandwich generation, with their own young children so they divided up the oversight of their mother, who had dementia, in a way that worked for them.

The oldest daughter lived across country, so while she couldn’t handle day-to-day tasks, she handled her mother’s finances and found services for her. She hired the caregiving agency, cleaning service, hairdresser and transportation services for her mother. The son lived an hour away, but worked nearby, so he took his mother to her medical appointments and the youngest daughter, who had young children would handle her mother’s grocery shopping and managing the caregivers.

They were a well-oiled machine who worked together. If you have a sibling who doesn’t live nearby, taking on your parent’s finances is a great way for them to contribute to your parents’ care.
If you are an only child or your siblings aren’t able to provide care, can you outsource services? Perhaps your siblings can help cover the costs to take some of the load off of you. I had a customer who had two sons, but was estranged from one of her sons. While he did not play a role in her care, he did contribute financially to help his sibling, who he was very close to.

Another possible untapped resource is friends or family of your caree. My mom helps her nephew care for his mother, who is my mom’s sister. She has also stayed with a friend who was recovering from surgery when her friend’s husband needed to travel. Don’t only look to siblings, think about both of your extended networks.

Make it a family affair:

Being part of the sandwich generation means caregiving is sometimes a family affair. Do you need to check in on your mom but your spouse isn’t available to stay home with your children? Take them with you! Your parents will love to see them and I’m sure they would love to see their grandparents. You can have them help with the simple tasks such as work around the yard, laundry or even vacuuming. I knew a family whose high school-aged daughter would spend her spring break with her grandmother, cooking lunch for the two of them and going with her on walks. What a wonderful bonding experience for the two of them!

Or, alternatively, bring your parent along on your family activities. When I was a child, my mother used to pick up my grandmother every Saturday and she would join us in whatever activity we had planned, or, we would all go to lunch together. It was wonderful to spend time with my grandmother, and even after she was in a wheelchair, we were still able to enjoy her company over lunch.

Let go of the small things:

This is a really difficult one for me, but not everything has to be perfect. Sure, the clean laundry is still sitting in the basket and the dishes are still in the sink, but the world truly will not end over these small things. Accept that sometimes, good enough is enough and forgive yourself for the imperfections. It is far more important for you to take a 20 minute nap than to have your floors mopped.

As someone with a Type A personality and a chronic illness, I struggle with this every day. I have to remind myself that my health is more important than having all of the mail sorted or the clean laundry put away. As long as the clothes are clean, we’re set!

Live in the moment:

While it is extremely overwhelming to take care of the needs of both an elderly parent and children, try to remember that the busy-ness and exhaustion of this time will not last forever and there will be a time when you will cherish the time you had with both of them. Our parents don’t live forever and our children won’t always be so young. This is really difficult to put into practice, but it if we try to focus on the joys of now and let go of the small things, it can help us accept our present.

Are you part of the sandwich generation? What are some of the ways you handle caring for elderly parents and children? Juggling Caregiving in the Sandwich Generation

Juggling Caregiving in the Sandwich Generation

Juggling Caregiving in the Sandwich Generation Juggling Caregiving in the Sandwich Generation Juggling Caregiving in the Sandwich Generation Juggling Caregiving in the Sandwich Generation Juggling Caregiving in the Sandwich Generation Juggling Caregiving in the Sandwich Generation

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Caregiving After a Stroke
Caregiving

Caregiving After a Stroke

by Kendall VanBlarcom
written by Kendall VanBlarcom

Suffering a stroke is a life threatening experience. Actually, it’s the fourth leading cause of death in the U.S. Early intervention can save someone’s life, but there may still be some effects from it such as speech difficulties, drastic decline in cognitive abilities and motor skills. Caregiving After a Stroke

Caring for someone who has suffered a stroke can be incredibly exhausting. The person needs mental, emotion, and physical care, and many times around the clock. These demands can seem like too much for many caregivers who also have a family of their own and a job.

Depression and anxiety are common effects of someone who cares for a stroke patient, especially if he/she does not receive support from others. This is why it is extremely important to seek support for stroke victims. Caregiving After a Stroke

Nursing

An at-home nurse or a home health aide can help take care of the physical care. Medication management, bathing, and other essential daily needs can be taken care of by someone like this, which would take the pressure off of you as a caregiver. You can still provide as much care as you feel you can do, but it’s nice to have someone there as well.

Meal Program

Cooking three meals a day can be overwhelming. Having a meal program can ensure your loved one receives three meals a day that will keep him/her healthy, without causing you to have to take the time and effort to make them. You can still make some meals or bring desserts for your loved one, but you’ll feel much better when the entire responsibility no longer relies on you.

Transportation Caregiving After a Stroke

Taking your loved one to appointments throughout the week can be time consuming and stressful when you have a lot of other things to do. This time can be freed up by setting up transportation for your loved one. Some medical facilities have a transportation program, so contact them to find out if there is one. Some insurance carriers also have a program, so check with your loved one’s insurance.

Emotional Support

All of the support you seek doesn’t have to be for your loved one, you need some, too. Personal consulting could be great for you. When your loved one experiences a stroke, it’s frightening and sad. You could have lost your mom, dad, or other loved one. While you’re thankful for that, you’re still compounded with the thoughts that you still have your loved one, but he/she isn’t the same. On top of that, 25% of stroke victims end up suffering another one within five years. This can be extremely scary for you. Caregiving After a Stroke
Personal consulting with Kendall Van Blarcom is here for you. Understanding what you’re going through, and helping you navigate this twist in life will help you feel a lot better about it all. It can be a major relief to know you truly aren’t alone in this situation. You have help, and that help is just a phone call away. Schedule an introductory session with Kendall Van Blarcom today. He is waiting to help you through this difficult time in your life.

Caregiving After a Stroke

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Caregiving

Handling the Emotional Side of Caregiving

by Kathy Macaraeg
written by Kathy Macaraeg

Most caregivers step up to the plate because they love their caree. Sometimes, the process of becoming a caregiver is slow as a parent begins the aging process and other times it happens quickly due to a fall or illness. One thing that many caregivers don’t anticipate is the many emotions they will experience as a caregiver.

While love enables us to do many hard things, sometimes, love isn’t enough – particularly if you are a caregiver for an extended period. While you love your caree, being a caregiver takes a lot out of you and putting your needs on the backburner for a long time doesn’t come without consequence.

It is important to acknowledge and accept that some of the feelings that come with caregiving can be negative. Many caregivers are embarrassed to express feelings of anger or frustration so they pretend they don’t exist or become angry with themselves for having those feelings.

Feelings of anger, sadness or frustration are just as acceptable as feelings of love and happiness. And while those feelings are common and nothing to be embarrassed about, it is important to find support and explore ways to work through those feelings. The longer you stew on your feelings, the worse they can become.

Handling Challenging Caregiver Emotions

If you are struggling with the emotional side of caregiving, there are things you can do for yourself to work through your emotions.

Free and Low Time Investment for Caregiver Emotional Support

If you are just starting out on your caregiving journey or are at the early stages of caregiver stress, investing a little bit of time in your emotional well-being now can save you from stress or depression later. Here are a few things you can do to support your emotional health.

  • Carve out time for yourself to practice self-care. Take time to care for your needs to reduce frustration and stress. Some self-care tactics you may want to consider include taking time for fitnessor maintaining a healthy diet.
  • Spend time with friends or loved ones other than your caree. If you’ve been so busy that you haven’t had time to see your friends, schedule some time with your friends or other family members. Make plans for a breakfast, lunch or dinner where you can spend some time replenishing your soul.
  • Focus on gratitude. Sometimes, when we’re going through a tough time, we forget to focus on the positives in our life. Start a gratitude journal to remind yourself of the things you have to be thankful for. Even on your worst day, you can be grateful that everyone woke up alive and has a roof over their head.
  • Join a support group. Being surrounded by others in the same boat can help you feel less isolated. It is also helpful to know that your feelings are common and nothing to be ashamed of. If you don’t have time to go to actual meetings (or you can’t find meetings near you), consider reaching out through social media. There are caregiver groups on Facebook and you can participate in Tweet chats with caregivers.
  • Learn a new skill, explore a new hobby or find something that brings you joy. Taking a little time to focus on something just for you can help make you feel like life is more “normal” again. It also helps you prepare for life after caregiving.

Serious Support for Caregiver Emotional Challenge

If you are experiencing significant emotional challenges, you may need to make a bigger time or financial investment. While you may feel that you don’t have time or money to “waste” on your emotional well-being, your emotional health is important. You should treat your emotional health as you treat your (or your caree’s) physical health. If you don’t address it now, you could be looking at more serious emotional challenges that can result in physical illness as well.

Long-term stress and depression can impact your physical health so they are not to be ignored. Sometimes, we need a bit more than a small pick me up to re-set our emotional well-being. If you’re in that boat, here are some things you can do to re-set.

  • Speak with your physician. If you are struggling with depression or anxiety resulting from caregiving, speak with your physician about your situation. He or she may suggest medication, talk therapy or a change to your diet or exercise routine.
  • Speak with therapist. Many times, the hardest part about getting help is admitting you need help, closely followed by actually starting the process. There is no shame in seeing a therapist to discuss your caregiving challenges. A therapist can help you find healthy coping methods so that you are better prepared for the challenges of your role. If you are a caregiver for a difficult person, it is even more important to seek help to adapt to your situation.
  • Hire help. Even if you have a tight budget, it may be necessary to your emotional well-being to outsource tasks or caregiving. Freeing up time can help you incorporate self-care into your routine, which can improve your overall well-being. You can also bring in a paid caregiver to assist with personal care or some activities of daily living that you don’t enjoy or your parent prefer you don’t perform. If you are on a limited budget, there may be resources available to your family.
  • Find a support group. I know I offer this as a solution above, but this is even more important if you are truly struggling. If you don’t know where to look for a support group, ask your loved one’s doctor, check your local hospital or medical center or do a Google search. If your loved one has a particular illness, reach out to their local association’s organization (think American Cancer Association, Diabetes Association, etc.) to find a local group.

 

Investing time in your emotional health is as important as investing in your (or your loved one’s) physical health. On average, caregivers spend between 5 – 10 years in their role. That’s a long time to put off caring for your needs.

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Caregiving

The Care Needs of Older Adults

by Carol Marak
written by Carol Marak

The older segment living without the support of grown children, a spouse or partner continues to rise. Having few to depend on, other than a handful of friends, in many cases, the population has little to no personal support if and when illness strikes.

Local medical and healthcare organizations are more aware of the segment’s needs and address the older adult’s functional declines to better facilitate maintenance of the aging process. And we need more ways to assess the patient’s lifestyle.

For instance, the medical paperwork asks for marital status, age, illnesses, diseases, and symptoms. What it does not ask, “what is the living arrangement, emotional and financial support system, and if the patient has legal documents in order?”

If they did, I believe more individuals would plan before an emergency. Other insights to capture from older patients:

  • Who would you call if an emergency or crisis would occur?
  • Have you fallen in the past six months?
  • Do you have 3 or more chronic illnesses?
  • Do you take 5 or more medications?
  • Have you been hospitalized in the past three months?
  • Identify Cognitive and Functional Abilities
  • Do you need help with bathing, dressing, shopping, and paying bills?
  • Do you feel sad?
  • Are you lonely?
  • Do you drive?
  • Have you had a car accident in the last year?

 

Post hospital care is another problem. In a Facebook group for those aging alone, many members deal with surgeries and planning for post acute care. It’s a surprise to see the intelligent conversations around such difficult issues. You’d think we were patient advocates, not the actual patients!

Too often this segment goes unnoticed especially by providers and live silently in danger of a medical crisis. I hope to build more awareness for the group who is in need of protection, security, connection and support.

And even if you do have loved ones, who’s to say that they’ll be around when if you need them? Our society has changed so much. Today, family members move around the country taking new jobs or even new lives and experiences abroad, leaving an older parent to fend for herself. The U.S. Census (2010) estimates 27 percent of people 65 and over live alone /directory/#key-senior-statistics. Today, that number reaches closer to 30 percent.

Another significant risk is isolation. If a person lives in the suburbs, they have a higher danger and exposed to risks like poor health, restricted mobility, admission to institutional care, low morale, inadequate rehabilitation, and mental illness.

Moving forward, organizations form like the Transition Network and many more who focus on the dire needs of the aging and alone market.

Are you on Facebook? Like my Page @Carebuzz and join the conversation every Tuesday at 3:00 PM CST.

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Aging

Signs of Anger Issues

by Kendall VanBlarcom
written by Kendall VanBlarcom

If you are experienced as a caregiver for older adults, it is possible you have seen signs of anger issues. For some, anger outburst happen because a senior citizen is feeling vulnerable, which can magnify emotions and reactions. In separate cases, anger occurs in response to other problems, whether that is illness, pain, or memory loss.

When you see signs of anger issues in an individual you are caring for—whether those indicators are physical abuse, verbal abuse or periods of paranoia—talk through your experiences with a professional to find relief.

Coping with Physical and Verbal Abuse

If you are caring for someone who has an illness that is causing diminished cognitive skills, sometimes the medical issue causes personality changes. It is important to not blame yourself for an illness you cannot control. Be sure to take the steps you need to take care of yourself.

One first step may be to get a clear diagnosis of what is happening with your loved one. With a complete evaluation, you and your loved one’s healthcare provider may be able to land on the root of their personality change. With this knowledge, you can take the next steps needed to secure a healthy home.

In addition to making health and checkups a priority for the one you are caring for, be sure to take care of your own physical and mental health as well. Stay healthy with a proper diet, exercise, sleep, and socializing. Talk through any problems you are having so any negative thoughts can be released and address it when you are experiencing anger from a loved one.

Paranoid Behavior

Among the signs of anger issues is when an individual you are caring for accuses you of intending to harm them. It is important you bring this up, and any other examples of paranoia or hallucinations, with a doctor. This behavior could be the result of Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, or another serious issue in need of attention. Possibly a shift in medications can help. Getting professional help is typically the right place to start as trying to convince someone that their thoughts are unreal may only increase their anger.

Everyone has good days and bad days, but no one should suffer abuse. If you see signs of anger issues in an older loved one or in a senior citizen you are caring for, reach out for help and support. It may take some time and persistence, but communication within families and among professionals can lead to solutions.

As a caregiver, you need to take care of yourself. After all, if you aren’t healthy you are not able to take care of anyone else. Deal with any negative aspects of your life. It is important to learn how to take care of the caregiver, too. Change is inevitable and it is impossible to turn back time, but there are ways to adapt to changes. Work toward a stress-free household. Utilize the support available to maintain a healthy environment, for yourself and your loved ones.

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Caregiving

Hiring the Right Caregiver

by Kathy Macaraeg
written by Kathy Macaraeg

Making the decision to hire a caregiver is stressful. Once you decide your aging parent needs outside help, you need to take the next step to find the right person. Whether you are hiring an independent caregiver or going through an agency, you need to be sure that your hired caregiver is a good fit for your family. How do you know if you’ve hired the right person? Hiring the Right Caregiver

I have worked with many families over the years and have met good and bad caregivers. There are certain traits that were common among good caregivers. Hiring the Right Caregiver

Signs You Found the Right Caregiver

  1. Respectful: A good caregiver treats your aging parent with respect and kindness, regardless of your parent’s cognitive ability. He/she looks your parent in the eye, speaks directly to him/her and addresses him/her directly in a respectful, not condescending tone.
  1. Patient and Flexible: Not everything will always go according to schedule. Our caree may be difficult because they are frustrated with their situation. A good caregiver is patient and flexible and understands the challenges of caring for others and allows their caree to go at their own pace.
  1. Able to Empathize: The ability to empathize is an important, yet challenging skill for many. To be able to understand what a client is going through and be able to ease their frustration or discomfort helps your parent let them in and share concerns with them.
  1. Trustworthy: You are not only entrusting this person with your parent’s care, you are letting them into your parent’s home. Knowing you can trust them with both your parent’s life and their valuables is critical. You don’t want to constantly worry about either.
  1. Passionate: Caregiving is not a high-paying job. Even if you are paying more than $30 an hour for a service, the caregiver is likely making minimum wage, or just slightly above minimum wage. There are many jobs that pay the same rate but are easier to do or don’t require the level of commitment that caregiver requires. Make sure your caregiver is in it because they truly care about helping others and not because they like the idea of relatively unsupervised work (particularly if your parent has cognitive decline or communication challenges).
  1. Forward-Thinking: A good caregiver comes up with ideas or addresses potential problems before they arise. They can see changes in your parent’s demeanor or well-being and bring it up immediately, rather than just going through the motions and waiting for your direction.
  1. Thick-Skinned: Even the sweetest, kindest person may be not-so-nice to their caregiver. A good caregiver understands that it isn’t about them and doesn’t take the behavior personally. They understand that the behaviors may be due to not feeling well or frustration over the situation.
  1. Creative: Sometimes, particularly when working with someone with dementia, a caregiver needs to find unique ways to cajole a client into doing important activities of daily living. Additionally, a creative caregiver will find activities to do with a caree outside of sitting them in front of the TV.
  1. Professional: A good caregiver always remains professional, even when dealing with embarrassing issues. They don’t make your aging parent feel shame about a health condition, physical or mental decline or inability to perform activities of daily living.
  1. Organized: A good caregiver is able to manage many tasks in an organized manner. They can keep track of medications, dosage information and scheduling needs of your parent.
  1. Reliable: A good caregiver arrives on time and ready to work. They don’t frequently call in sick, show up late or leave early.
  1. Physically Strong: Caregiving isn’t just about emotions and professionalism. Many caregiving tasks require physical strength. Caregivers need to be able to safely move their clients, assist with bathing, etc. Your parent may not require these tasks immediately, but if their condition declines, your caregiver will need to be able to handle the changes safely.

There are many other signs of a good caregiver, but these 12 characteristics are a good indicator that your caregiver is the right person for the job. Hiring the Right Caregiver Hiring the Right Caregiver Hiring the Right Caregiver Hiring the Right Caregiver Hiring the Right Caregiver

Hiring the Right Caregiver

 

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Home Improvements

Electricity Emergency Preparedness for Seniors and Caregivers

by Guest Blogger
written by Guest Blogger

Power outages aren’t very common, but when they do happen in your community, do you know what to do?

Preparing for power outage emergencies won’t be as easy as getting a 72-hour emergency kit ready—especially if you are an elderly or are caring for someone who is.

Here are a few things that may help you ensure your safety or of the elderly in your care.

IDENTIFY THE RISKS

Knowing what you’re up against is a big step toward being prepared.

WHAT CAUSED THE POWER OUTAGE?

  • Natural disaster.
  • Accidents leading to power failure.

WHAT ARE THE IMMEDIATE RISKS?

  • Do you live alone?
  • Do you drive or own a car?
  • Do you have any physical, medical, thinking or learning limitations?
    • Smell.
    • Hearing.
    • Mobility.
    • Vision.
    • Communication.
  • Are you reliant upon any medical equipment or assistive technologies?
  • Are you reliant upon a caregiver?

HOW WILL THE POWER OUTAGE IMPACT YOU OR THEM IN THE NEXT 72 HOURS?

Below you’ll find helpful checklists for when there’s a power outage in your area—covering different scenarios and circumstances.

CREATE YOUR PERSONAL SUPPORT NETWORK (FAMILY, NEIGHBORS, AND FRIENDS) AHEAD OF TIME

  • Get your family, neighbors and friends to assist during a power outage.
  • Get your family, neighbors and friends to assist during a power outage.
  • Call your local emergency management office.
    • Ask what their emergency plans are and how they can assist you.
    • Ask for their list of contacts and of the numbers of nearby health care facilities—keep these numbers close.

GATHER ALL RELEVANT MEDICAL INFORMATION AND DOCUMENTS FOR EASY ACCESS

  • Prepare medical alert tags or bracelets to wear during the emergency.
  • Prepare medical alert tags or bracelets to wear during the emergency.
    • Outline your needs. This is in case you will be moved to a facility so first responders will be informed on the type of help you need.
    • Prepare your medical documents and records so medical personnel will be to see to your medical needs.
    • Prepare a list of your medication.
  • State the best way to communicate with you. This is important especially if you or the person in your care needs to be brought to a facility that is unfamiliar with your needs.

PREP A 72-HOUR EMERGENCY KIT

  • Use battery operated flashlights and lanterns. DO NOT USE CANDLES.
  • Unplug all major appliances so they won’t be damaged by the electrical surge when the power is restored.
  • Store your supplies in a container that has wheels.
  • Label your emergency medical supplies with large print text or Braille.
  • Label your equipment and assistive devices, like wheelchairs, canes or walkers, with your name, address and phone numbers.
  • Get ice or frozen cold packs in a small ice chest to store your medicines in.
  • Keep your emergency contact list close and contact them as soon as you can.
  • Pack plenty of batteries and power banks for your assistive devices.
  • Pack plenty of lighting resources like flashlights and lamps (if you have a power generator, even better!).
  • Prepare food and water supplies for up to 72 hours.
  • Ready blankets and extra clothing for warmth.
  • Set aside extra money, as well as the documents you’ll need to secure social security and other regular benefits.
  • Don’t forget to prepare emergency kits for your pets/service animals

HOME MEDICAL EQUIPMENT AND/OR ASSISTIVE EQUIPMENT CHECKLIST

  • Prepare batteries or alternate sources of power that will sustain you and your medical equipment/assistive technology for the next 72 hours.
  • If you have a hearing disability, prepare a TTY (or Text Telephone), or extra batteries for your assistive devices.
  • Contact your doctor or health care provider and ask for nearby alternatives you can relocate to for help during a power outage.
  • Use portable generators cautiously.
    • Make sure you operate them outdoors, in a well-ventilated area.
    • Do not connect your generator to your home’s electrical system (unless using an approved transfer switch that is compliant with your local electrical code).

ALTERNATE COMMUNICATION OPTIONS CHECKLIST

  • Prepare cards with phrases, pictures, or pictograms for communication, so your support network or first responders can communicate with you.
  • If you are visually impaired, or care for one:
    • Prepare Braille or text communication cards for communication.
    • Label your emergency supplies with Braille or large print texts

SCHEDULED TREATMENTS/THERAPEUTIC CARE ALTERNATIVES CHECKLIST

If you or the senior citizen in your care requires regular medical treatments like dialysis, or other procedures, call your clinic or hospital to.

  • Ask about their emergency plans and processes and how they can help you during the crisis.
  • Ask for their back-up medical treatment providers close to your location

MOBILITY AND MOVEMENT CHECKLIST

  • Prepare extra battery packs if you or the person in your care uses a power wheelchair.
  • Prepare an extra manual mobility aid like a cane, walker, or manual wheelchair as your alternative for moving around.
  • Store your supplies in one or more easy-to-carry containers, such as a backpack or a duffel bag.
  • Plan and prepare your transportation options, in case you need to move to a clinic or hospital for care and assistance during the emergency.
  • If you have a personal vehicle, keep your gas tank full.

 

A little planning can go a long way to making sure you or the person in your care is safe and taken care of. Keep to this list and don’t worry: you’ll find that there will always be people to help you during emergencies.

SOURCES

  • Preparedness information for people with disabilities., American Public Health Association.
  • Disaster Planning For Older Adults, Insurance Information Institute.
  • Emergency Preparedness Tips for Senior Citizens, Senior Citizen’s Guide.
  • Disaster Preparedness for Seniors by Seniors, American Red Cross.
  • The Importance of a Personal Support Network, American Red Cross.
  • Power Outages, Ready.gov

 

For more information: https://www.chooseenergy.com

 

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Caregiving

Super Quick Self-Care for Caregivers

by Kathy Macaraeg
written by Kathy Macaraeg

If you only have a few minutes to practice self-care, these are my favorite activities to squeeze into my day.

Morning or Evening Stretches: If you are pressed for time in the morning, get ready for bed just a few minutes earlier and do a few simple stretches before you get into bed. Pick a few body parts that are tight and try to loosen them. If you don’t know what stretches to do, do a quick Google search for stretches and the part of the body you want to work. You’ll find pictures or videos that will walk you through the stretches.

Practice Gratitude: We all forget how fortunate we are when we’re focused on our day-to-day struggles. I find I’m less stressed when I actually think about the good in my life. Focusing on the good helps you prioritize your stressors. As I always say, even on the worst days, I can be thankful that I woke up in the morning, there was food to eat and there is a roof over my head.

Meditate: If you haven’t given meditation or mindfulness a try, you really should consider it. It’s free and fast. I have been thinking about meditation off and on for years but it wasn’t until I read Russell Simmons’ book “Success Through Stillness” that I really tried harder to implement mindfulness and meditation into my life. While I don’t practice the way Simmons suggests, I have started making mindfulness a part of my self-care routine. I use the free app Calm and do a guided meditation for just a few minutes but I feel like it really makes a difference. I also purchased “A Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Workbook,” which came with a free CD that has several guided meditations for varying lengths of time.

Elevate Regular Experiences: If you are in a truly busy season and really have almost no time for self-care, try making everyday activities a bit more luxurious. For example, use really nice smelling products in the shower and spend an extra minute or two taking it in. You can also splurge on a really nice hand cream or moisturizer and take a few extra seconds massaging it in to your hands or face. I splurge on a really nice hand cream that I only use before bed. Since I only use it at night, it lasts forever, so it really isn’t much of a splurge after all.

Do Something You Enjoy: When we are extremely busy, we tend to stop having fun. We’re either “doing the work” or too exhausted for fun. The problem is, life gets really boring and sad when we are all work, no play. Even if you don’t have a lot of free time, try to squeeze in a little fun. I love reading and try to squeeze reading in instead of watching TV. What do you love? Can you find a way to squeeze it in?

Slow Down: I have started getting up an extra twenty minutes early so that I can fit in morning stretches and drink my coffee slowly while I work on my to do list. I used to gulp my coffee down while I was flying around getting everyone ready to start our day. I was exhausted by 9 a.m. Now that I get up early, everyone is less stressed out and I feel so much more in control of my day because I have slowed the pace of my morning.

Self-care is hugely important, especially if you are a busy person. While I’ve known this for a long time, I really never found a way to make it work for me until I started making it part of my daily routine. I essentially schedule certain self-care activities into my day.

Activities like my stretches, my morning coffee and elevating my regular routine are non-negotiables now. If I get those done, I’m good. On really great days, I add in a few other self-care activities like taking a walk or doing something I enjoy. How do you fit self-care into your life?

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Understand Your Caregiving Options
Caregiving

Top 10 Caregiver Hacks

by Kathy Macaraeg
written by Kathy Macaraeg

How to Simplify Caregiving and Make It More Manageable

Sixty percent of caregivers are employed full-time. Between work and running a household, there isn’t a lot of extra time for caregiving duties. Unfortunately, caregiving is full of never-ending to do lists and tasks to accomplish for yourself, your caree and your family. Top 10 Caregiver Hacks
The stress from caregiving can lead to health issues such as a higher risk for chronic illness, a weakened immune system and depression and anxiety. What can you do to reduce the caregiving stress? I’ve pulled together a list of my 10 favorite tools for caregivers to either help you lighten your load or relax. Top 10 Caregiver Hacks

Top 10 Caregiving Tools to Be More Efficient

  1. Develop a System: Organization should be your first step in caregiving. Whether you create a schedule on the wall, use a paper planner or use an electronic calendar or app on your phone, keep your schedule and contacts organized. Be sure to include contact information for doctors and service providers so that you don’t have to look them up each time you need to do something.
  1. Use Your Time Wisely: Are there things you can knock off your to do list during spare moments or downtime? Can you work on your grocery list while waiting in line at the bank or make your to do list while waiting in the dentist’s office? What can you do to make the most of your spare minutes?
  1. Never Have Empty Hands: I once read a time management tip that suggested never leaving a room with empty hands. If you’re going to the bathroom, can you take fresh towels from the linen closet to refresh the room? If you’re walking to the bedroom, take the shoes sitting by the door or the book you want to read later. If you’re in your room, take the water glass next to your bed back to the kitchen. Rather than spending hours putting your house back together on a Saturday, move things throughout the day. Your home will feel slightly more organized.
  1. Outsource When You Can: Managing two households is extremely difficult. I can barely keep one house running. If you or your caree has the means, outsource some tasks to take things off your plate. Is your parent having a difficult time keeping his/her house clean? Hire a weekly or biweekly cleaning service to do the big jobs. Do you or your parent have a difficult time getting meals on the table? Consider one of the many meal prep services or even schedule take out into your weekly meal rotation. Is there someone who can take your parent to the grocery store or to run errands? Use a service or hire a driver to reduce the amount of time you are running around. Make a list of the activities you do on a regular basis that can be outsourced.
  1. Use Technology: Set up online reminders so that your brain doesn’t have to keep track of everything. If possible, communicate with doctors or service providers via email or text. Email allows you to reach out during the off hours when you have time.
  1. Reach Out/Use Your Resources: Don’t do it all yourself. You can enlist the help of other family members, your community or even local resources like your senior center. Just like it takes a village to raise a family, it takes a village to care for an aging parent.
  1. Practice Self-Care: If you don’t care for yourself, you can’t care for others. It’s that simple. Whether you have a lot of time or almost no time, you need to make time for yourself so that you don’t experience burnout.
  1. Let Go Of What You Can: I know how difficult this one can be. I want to do everything, perfectly, myself. However, no one is a superhero. We all need help and not everything can be perfect always. If you are dealing with a particularly busy or stressful time, it’s OK to eat more take out or have a messier house than you’d like. Give yourself permission to let go and just do the best you can do today.
  1. Plan Ahead: You can’t always plan for a crisis, but whenever possible, having your game plan set up ahead of time will make a crisis less chaotic. If you don’t work on weekends, take some time to get yourself ready for the week. Plan for the busy days so that you don’t rush around. Prep a few dinners, plan your wardrobe, put your parent’s medication in in pill dispenser. Do whatever you can ahead of time to reduce in-the-moment chaos.
  1. Stay Positive: Sometimes when we’re in the midst of busy-ness and chaos, we get frustrated. It can be easy to get angry and frustrated with your situation when you are overwhelmed. Acknowledge that you are in a busy stage of life and your current life is stressful and challenging, but remember this too shall pass. Years from now, you will be happy that you were able to spend so much time with your parent and you will miss the chaos of having children demanding your time. Try to focus on the positive parts of your life when times are tough to make them more bearable. Consider keeping a gratitude journal to focus on the positive parts of your life. Even if you had a terrible day, you can be grateful that you woke up, there is a roof over your head and food in your belly.

Top 10 Caregiver Hacks

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