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Caregiver

Discount Medical Supplies encourages a positive attitude for caregivers

Submitted by Mariela Miranda on March 4, 2014 13:11

The Balancing Act, an inspiring morning show dedicate to women in America on Lifetime, featured Dr. Jon Segal, CEO of Discount Medical Supplies, as part of a four segment series dedicated to talk about the importance of caregivers.

In this fourth segment, he shares his thoughts and advices to all caregivers out there that feel they are struggling with their duty and need that boost of encouragement in this difficult mission.

Dr. Jon Segal discusses Caregiver Stress at the Balancing Act

Submitted by Mariela Miranda on February 12, 2014 08:40

 

Are you a caregiver caring for an aging parent, a relative, or maybe a loved one? If you are, you are certainly not alone.  In fact, four out of every ten adults care for parents or relatives seniors suffering from chronic illnesses including heart related diseases and the many issues of old age itself.

This interview took place in the second of a four part series on Caregiving in the tv show, The Balancing Act. Dr. Jon Segal answered important questions with valuable information targeted to help and support caregivers in such a difficult yet rewarding job.

How to be a caregiver and get paid to do it?

Submitted by Charles Brown on February 4, 2014 11:33

No caregiver will ever tell you that they are in it for the money, but it sure would be nice to get some relief from the financial strain that caring for a family member puts on an individual. One way to do so is with Medicaid’s Cash & Counseling program. This program gives disabled people and older adults the opportunity to manage a flexible budget and choose from a variety of goods and services. Direct payments can be used to hire personal care workers, buy items, and make home modifications, for as long as the person is providing care. Participants can decide how to manage their budgets by themselves, or with the assistance of an appointed representative. Cash & Counseling is available in New Jersey, Florida, Arkansas, Alabama, Illinois, Iowa, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, New Mexico, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington and West Virginia. Your state may have a similar program under a different name. Contact your local Medicaid office for further details.

 
In order to be eligible for Cash & Counseling, participants have to be 65 years old or disabled, require skilled nursing, have serious mental impairments, or require assistance performing daily activities, and be limited to a $2,000 monthly income and $2,000 in countable resources. These requisites are not written in stone and may vary regionally. The first step toward enrolling in this program is completing a Medicaid application with your state or county Medicaid office. Upon being accepted by Medicaid, you can then proceed to applying for a specific Medicaid waiver allowing for Cash and Counseling. If you’re already receiving Medicaid benefits, you may have to wait from two to four months before you may be able to start getting payments, and an extra 45 to 90 days if you’re not receiving Medicaid benefits. Additionally, there may be waiting lists.

How to reduce costs for employers of caregiver employees?

Submitted by Mariela Miranda on January 31, 2014 17:04

Right off the bat, let’s make it clear that the idea behind this is not for employers to find ways to cut corners as it pertains their caregiver employees, but to devise methods through which the working environment can be made receptive and encouraging of caregiver employees so that they remain productive members of a workplace without neglecting their duties to their aged, sick, and disabled relatives. According to MetLife’s Sons at Work: Balancing Employment and Eldercare study, 62% of caregivers make a workplace adjustment (coming in late or leaving early, taking a leave of absence, switching to part-time, &c), 3% opt for early retirement, and 6% become full time caregivers. As we can see, this is a two way street; care giving can affect employment in the same degree that employment can affect care giving.

 
However, care giving not only affects the employee, but the company as a whole. Caregiver employees cost employers 8% more –or $13.4 billion a year- than non-caregivers, in term of healthcare expenses. Caregivers are very susceptible of experiencing depression, diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular conditions, stress, and other medical conditions, as well as unhealthy choices like drinking smoking and a sedentary lifestyle. All of which results in absenteeism, workplace disruptions, and working family caregivers’ reduced work status. Another MetLife study found that 10% of caregivers missed at least one day in the span of two weeks due to health problems. And we all know that they’re not slacking; in fact, some people even see their day job as an escape from the pressures of care giving. What can employers do to make work not an escape fantasy, but an activity that blends seamlessly with care giving, so that employees aren’t forced to ask themselves whether to cut back on care giving, their jobs, or the rest of their family –and at the same time cutting healthcare costs?

8 things you can learn about care giving by watching The Savages

Submitted by Charles Brown on January 17, 2014 17:13

Though released in 2007, Tamara Jenkins’ film The Savages was but recently watched on DVD by the author of these lines. Which doesn’t make much difference for the purpose of this article; since it’s not about giant robots, teenage wizards, sparkling vampires or shirtless werewolves, but was actually premiered at the Sundance Film Festival and won several independent filmmaking awards, chances are a good many people haven’t watched it either. And that is quite a shame, not only because it’s a great film in general, but also because it contains quite a few lessons on what is like to deal with an aging parent.

In a nutshell, the film is about siblings Jon (Philip Seymour Hoffman) and Wendy Savage (Laura Linney), who must come to terms with their estranged father Lenny’s (Philip Bosco)descent into dementia. Jon and Wendy are not the closest brother and sister tandem to begin with, and find it difficult to see eye to eye on many issues, especially on how their father should be cared for. Both are facing additional personal and/or professional crises, and though neither becomes the old man’s primary caregiver, that doesn’t take away from their efforts and sacrifice. If it did, it would be tantamount to saying that secondary caregivers aren’t as important, and we all know that all caregivers matter. Here are some of the things I learned by the time the end credits started to roll.

What’s on Your Feet?

Submitted by Caregiver.com on January 13, 2014 11:50

Every stage of life and activity requires a new type of footwear: baby, athletic, dressy, casual, etc. For many people, however, socks become an even more important item that they put on each day.

Seamless socks

These reduce irritation, which can often cause blisters and soreness on the feet. Seamless socks don’t bind at the top and are easy for a loved one to pull on and off. These are especially helpful for those with diabetes as they wick moisture away from a foot and absorb shock. Seamless socks also do well after repeated laundering as they are made from special resilient fibers.

Compression socks

Compression socks are very common in the elderly population, as well as others. They prevent leg swelling and also help minimize blood clots. They gently squeeze the legs, improving overall blood flow and reducing pooling of blood in the feet. The achy and heavy feeling in legs is lessened, too.

A physician may prescribe compression stockings for someone with varicose veins, spider veins or for recovery from a recent surgery. There are many types and a physician will be able to guide a caregiver in picking the perfect pair for their loved one.

  

All about Thermometers

Submitted by Caregiver.com on January 13, 2014 10:23


A thermometer should always be stashed somewhere in the home so that if and when a fever develops, a run to the local drugstore is not a necessity. These days, there are a variety of options available so there is no reason not to have one on hand to check for a fever.
 
Basic Tips
 
There are many thermometers available in stores or online today. It can be confusing to decide which is best. The first tip is to assess a loved one's vision and hearing. While most thermometers do give an accurate reading, not all are equally easy to use. Here are four basic considerations for selecting a thermometer:
 
1) Speed: How fast is the thermometer? Caregivers need to remember a loved one may not have the physical ability to hold a thermometer for an extended period of time, especially if it's an area harder to reach independently. 
2) Ease of use: Make sure a loved one knows exactly how to use the thermometer and that it's something they can remember on their own at a time they may not be feeling 100 percent. 
3) Cost: This may be a factor since some thermometers can be pricy, but should not outweigh the others. If a loved one won't use a less expensive thermometer, this becomes a moot point. 

   

Necessary Fitness Finds

Submitted by Caregiver.com on January 13, 2014 10:52

For a caregiver helping a loved one choose basic home fitness equipment, the first step is to discuss goals, and then products needed to reach them. 

 
Considerations
 
National organizations have established guidelines for older adults’ exercise programs. The basic recommendation is 30 minutes of aerobic activity five days a week, with muscle-strengthening activities added in. 
 
The average senior doesn’t have the workout history of Jane Fonda, so light exercises are adequate and advised. Leave the heavy, specialized equipment for the pros. Caregivers must remind a loved one to consult their physician before starting any program as medical issues may be a consideration. Each person will have a target heart rate, level of activity and duration of exercise unique to their life and health scenario. 
 
For this reason, a heart rate monitor is the first piece of equipment a caregiver should recommend to a loved one. A too strenuous exercise may lead to injury or exhaustion, but not pushing oneself hard enough is ineffective. A heart rate monitor helps a loved one chart their workouts, and maintain a heart rate that is healthy and effective for them. To find a maximum heart rate, subtract your age from 200. Calculating 80 percent and 85 percent of this number provides the target heart rate range. 

   

What are the stages of care giving?

Submitted by Mariela Miranda on January 3, 2014 13:03

The expectant or anticipatory caregiver. In this stage, an aging relative’s health is deteriorating at such a rate that you anticipate becoming a caregiver –if not the primary caregiver- in the next 12 to 18 months. The most productive way to spend that time is to do as much research as you possibly can, on care giving in general, and learning about the care recipient in particular. The latter involves getting the patient’s financial and legal affairs in order. You may also look into community services, health programs and start installing safety devices around the house, for example bathroom grab bars.

The freshman caregiver. This period comprehends the first 6 to 18 months of care giving. At this point you may be starting to become aware of the 90% of the iceberg that’s hidden below water level, so to speak. This is also the perfect moment to start asking and accepting help, if you haven’t already. Hire extra hands if you can afford it; if not, take any and all help you can get from family, friends, support groups, even the church. Whatever you do though, try to make the care recipient as integral a part of the decision-making process as possible.

The entrenched caregiver. In this phase, you will have been a caregiver for a very long time, maybe even too long to know for certain or even care. If that’s the case, beware; caregiver stress and burnout may be lurking in the shadows. It may be hard to accept, but if a caregiver lets themselves go, how can they be expected to care for someone else? Consider the possibility of delegating your duties or even stepping down as a caregiver altogether, if only for a while, until you’re ready to get back on the saddle again.

Caregiving is not a burden if you see it with eyes of love

Submitted by Mariela Miranda on December 31, 2013 15:28

If you get the chance to observe a caregiver, make sure you do.  Everything they do on a daily basis for their loved one without asking for anything in return is the work of a true hero.  Some of us get to experience first-hand how the health and the happiness of the caregivers in our family decline as the years go by, and at some point in life, we might end up being caregivers for them and will have to give them the care and attention they provided to others for years.  When the time comes, always remember the #1 advice I am about to give you.  I rather call it the golden rule of caregiving, and it is one that must never be broken or overlooked.  The rule goes:  You will not see caregiving as a burden, but an opportunity to be better and give back. 
 
Estimates from the National Alliance for Caregiving, show that approximately 65.7 million Americans served as caregivers in 2013.  This means that 29% of the adult US population have been donating their time and caring for someone who is disabled or aged.  This same research shows that about 3/4 of caregivers are 50 years old or more and have jobs of their own that they have to juggle with their caregiving duties.  They are constantly changing and shifting their schedules, leaving home early, coming in later and even choosing to retire early. Always consider that this might be you one day. 

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