Archive for category Caregiving
Know Your Community Resources
Posted by JG in Caregiving, Health, Long-Term Care, Research, Senior Older Adult and Elderly, Social Work on June 27, 2018
If you work with seniors, it is incredibly important to be aware of your community resources. There are a variety of programs available at a low-cost, or no cost. One of the best resources is your local Area Agency on Aging. Each state is divided into regions, and an Area Agency on Aging typically serves around five counties. They are your go-to for information regarding resources in your local community.
For South Carolina:
https://aging.sc.gov/
Does My Loved One Need a Caregiver?
Posted by JG in Caregiving, Health, Long-Term Care, Senior Older Adult and Elderly on February 23, 2018
When do you know if your loved one needs a caregiver?
Below are some items you may want to monitor, as you visit your loved one.
-Mail is piling up, bills are not being paid, calls from collection agencies
-The yard or house is no longer being maintained
-Changes in personal hygiene or change in typical behavior (like smoking in the bed, when the person used to only smoke outside).
-Changes in typical habits of eating/diet and exhibiting weight loss (or noticing clothing is now loose)
-Forgetting to take medication
-Unexplained dents or scratches on car (from bumping into objects when driving) Read the rest of this entry »
Caring For Those Who Care
Posted by JG in Beauty, Caregiving, Health, Joy in aging, Long-Term Care, Senior Older Adult and Elderly on February 5, 2018
To learn more about this terrific series visit:
Teepa Snow, Leading Expert on Dementia
Posted by JG in Caregiving, Health, Long-Term Care, Research, Senior Older Adult and Elderly on July 20, 2017
This week, I had the opportunity to attend a work shop on dementia by one of America’s leading experts on the topic; Teepa Snow. It was both informative, and funny as she kept our attention the entire six hours. Below, is a clip from her site. She has a great deal of information you can use to improve your care for those with dementia.
http://teepasnow.com/resources/teepa-tips-videos/dementia-101/
Doll Therapy
Posted by JG in Caregiving, Joy in aging, Senior Older Adult and Elderly on February 13, 2017
Have you considered doll therapy when working with individuals with memory loss? This article lists the pros and cons. Overall, I think the benefits can be tremendous. I have observed elderly women in long-term care who talk to their doll and care for it. The doll is very comforting and provides great joy to the patient.
I just recently watched a documentary on adults- both men and women who are serious doll collectors (Barbie dolls and Reborn dolls) and they have no memory loss. Some women even bring their Reborn dolls out in public and push them in strollers.
I think it’s a great idea.
Pets and The Elderly- Some Considerations
Posted by JG in Caregiving, Health, Joy in aging on January 1, 2017
When thinking about the care an individual needs who has Alzheimer’s, we often forget about the other creatures we should check on too- their pets. This is never something I considered- until I read this article.
There will come a point in time, when an individual with Alzheimer’s may be unable to care for a pet. A case example of this, is listed below. Certainly, caregivers need to do everything possible to ensure that a pet, or pets at home are cared for as long as possible. Pets can provide tremendous companionship, entertainment, and stimulation to their owners. However, when an individual with Alzheimer’s, (or other illnesses) can no longer care for the pet and the pet’s well-being is truly at stake, something must be done.
It may be possible to find another loving home for the pet. Below, is a story of a worst-case scenario of a pet being neglected due to the owner’s illness, but rescued and given proper care.
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