Stroke: Act F.A.S.T. (Face, Arms, Speech, Time)

By Carissa Stella

Strokes are considered the third leading cause of death and the leading cause of adult disability. Understanding what a stroke is and how to determine if you or someone in your care is having a stroke can be instrumental in reducing the long-term effects.

How does a stroke occur?

A stroke is an attack on the brain in which a blood clot stops the flow of blood to a portion of the brain. It can be in an artery that provides blood and oxygen from the heart or in a small blood vessel, but in either case affected portions of the brain can be killed resulting in brain damage. Continue reading “Stroke: Act F.A.S.T. (Face, Arms, Speech, Time)” »

Recipe Reminiscing: Sharing from the Generations

By Carissa Stella

Nearly every family has its favorite recipes handed down from generation to generation and in-home caregivers have the unique opportunity to offer those reminders. Parents have likely handed down those recipes for treats or goodies to the next generation and would likely feel special if they could help you hand those same recipes down to subsequent generations.

By handing them down, it is more than simply writing out the list of ingredients and the instructions. It means standing with them and making the cookies or rolls or whatever treat the recipe is for. It is the interaction the children had when they learned how to make the special treat. As a gift you could make the food item and give it to your parents as a token of your appreciation for teaching you how to make it.

Another option could be to create a cookbook of your family’s favorite recipes, making sure you include the name of the relative that was famous for making it for family gatherings. In addition to your parents, you can include recipes from aunts, uncles, sisters and brothers to bolster the strength of the book and add to the treasured memories it contains.

Remember though that not all of your parents’ or grandparents’ recipes were written down. Instead many of them cooked from memory and in order to include those recipes in a family cookbook, you will probably have to stand beside them, helping them of course, and write down the ingredients and instructions as you go. Once you are done with each recipe you can categorize it before turning it into a cookbook to be treasured by subsequent generations.

The important thing to remember is to have personal instructions available from all of those contributing to the cookbook. No doubt most will tell you that the most important ingredient is love, and in most instances you will, as an in-home caregiver, find that to be true, much as it is true with the care you are providing your family member.

As a gift for those to whom you are providing care, you could place all of the family’s favorite recipes onto cards and arrange them in a small basket also containing flowers. This can rest on a bedside table or elsewhere in the room where the parent can read through the many items and remember how and when they cooked each item in the basket. Several baskets could be created to share with other members of the family.

If the parent had a favorite recipe for rolls for example, you can replicate the recipe and deliver a basket of rolls weekly or monthly, reminding them of those rolls. This unselfish act would undoubtedly be appreciated and if they have dietary restrictions, the ingredients can be changed to reflect those restrictions without losing the taste or texture of the rolls.

Whether you use a three-ring binder with tabs to separate categories of recipes or loose leaf paper for your cookbook, it will not be as important as the recipes included. If in-home caregivers can save some of the hand written recipes from years gone by they can add personal value to the cookbook. The important thing isn’t how professionally made the cookbook appears or the quality of the paper. It is the quality of memories the recipes spark along with the love it can generate for many subsequent generations.

Christmases Past: Reminiscing with Memories from The Generations

By Carissa Stella

Since the first Christmas was celebrated there have been traditions started and passed down through subsequent generations and many families have started their own traditions to be shared by their children. Each family may be different but what remains the same are the memories these traditions spark every season.

Tips for In-home Caregivers – How to Recreate the Memories from the Past

Whether it is when and how a tree is decorated or climbing into the car on Christmas Eve for a trip around the neighborhood to view the numerous decorated houses, traditions can only become traditions if the families pass them on to their children. Reliving those memories year after year will often provide more memories and even those can be shared with others.

Remember, if those memories are not shared they will soon fade away and be remembered only as a habit. It does seem that everyone buys presents and puts them under the tree, but those that share memories of their childhood continue those memories until a tradition is established. In-home caregivers can continue those traditions with their loved ones by recreating those memories with their parents or other relatives.

Depending on the circumstances, those memories can be transformed into a written or photographic work as a reminder to everyone about how the tradition started and how it remained part of the family’s memory over the years. Understand that not all of the traditions will remain, as many families, as they have their own children may wish to start their own traditions, but by maintaining a record of them will help remind everyone what their holidays consisted of when they were younger.

Breathing New Life into the Old Traditions

Looking back through albums of times gone by can also lead subsequent generations to turn back the clock to relive some of the old traditions, possibly breathing new life into them. Some may even become part of the new memories being created. Talk to the ones receiving your care and have them relive their experiences and how their traditions came about and how their own family traditions grew from those of their own parents, accounting for the changes over the years.

Generations ago it is likely that many of the things enjoyed today were not in existence or were not affordable to most and your family may have had to make changes based on their circumstances. Today, greeting cards are churned out by factories by the millions whereas two or three generations ago, cards were mostly handmade. Talk to your parent about how modernization changed their traditions and learn from their memories of how to make Christmas the same special holiday it was when they were much younger.

Don’t forget about the memories of Dad climbing a ladder in the snow to attach decorations to the house and how wonderful everyone thought the house looked when he was done. You can also talk about how wonderful the house smelled when Mom had Christmas pies in the oven and cookies lined the table. Most of these traditions may still exist in many homes while others have waned to be replaced by those “store-bought” pies and cookies, but the memories of those sweet smells will remain in the air of your memory.

The dedication your parents or grandparents had to ensure the kids experienced a wonderful holiday is what maintains the strength of family traditions. Even if you really didn’t like the Christmas movies your Mom insisted on watching as a family every year. It isn’t so much the movie as it is having the family together in one room sharing time together, creating their own holiday traditions.

Tips for In-Home Caregivers For a Peaceful Christmas

By Carissa Stella

With all the decorating, cooking, and gatherings, Christmas and the holidays tend to bring additional stress, but planning and prioritizing can help you enjoy a peaceful holiday season. Here are some useful tips for in-home caregivers to help manage stress during Christmas and the holiday season:

1.   Remind yourself that things don’t always go as planned and be flexible. It’s ok if you can’t make it to every holiday party you are invited to or stay for hours at each one. If you need to make an appearance at more than one just be cautious of the time and leave when you need to. Set boundaries – set an alarm on your watch or cell phone giving yourself a few minutes to say your goodbyes before heading on to the next. If you have elder loved ones with you keep in mind their needs and plan ahead. Feel good about asking for help if you need it. You owe it to yourself as a caregiver, and those you care for will benefit from a less-stressed ‘you’.

2.   Spending time as a family is the ultimate gift to each other whether you are eating together, exchanging gifts, sharing memories of Christmases past or singing carols. There is so much joy in the company of family and a room full of laughter and story-telling. If you are hosting a family gathering, ask family members ahead of time to help decorate and setup or bring a dish with them to alleviate the stress of cooking and preparing all on your own. The time together and memories made are what’s most important. Remember: Feel good about asking for help if you need it. You owe it to yourself as a caregiver, and those you care for will benefit from a less-stressed ‘you’.

3.   Travel schedules - If you aren’t able to be with your family during the holiday season, its ok – be creative and set your own holiday schedule. Traveling over Christmas can be stressful with traffic jams, packed airports and hustle. Look into the alternative of travelling before or after the holidays.

4.   Money and budgets - If it feels like your wallet isn’t big enough for the amount of gifts you would like to purchase, then consider updating your gift giving traditions this year. Keep it simple by drawing names with each family member buying a gift for one other person and set a budget to avoid financial stress. You’ll have more money to spend on a nice gift for one person than if you had to spread your budget amongst all your family members. As another alternative, experience the joy in giving to those outside of immediate family who are in need by donating to a charitable organization, or directly to a child or family in need.

5.   More on donating to those in need – Look outside of yourself – volunteer at a food pantry or soup kitchen, collect needed items for the homeless shelters, or volunteer at a homeless shelter. You’ll quickly gain perspective, better appreciate your blessings, and you will get a gift in return far greater, knowing you have made a difference by helping those who are perhaps less fortunate than yourself.

If you find yourself feeling overwhelmed during the holidays, take a break. Find a quiet place alone to yourself, reflect, and stay focused on what is important and take care of yourself. If you don’t take care of yourself as a caregiver, you will find it difficult to properly care for your loved ones. Remember: feel good about asking for help if you need it. You owe it to yourself as a caregiver, and those you care for will benefit from a less-stressed ‘you’.

Gifts from the Heart are Purchased with Love

By Carissa Stella

It seems that every year that goes by many people try to find gifts that express their love for others, but in many instances they are looking for the most expensive items they can find that will impress the recipient. However, how much you spend is usually not as important as a gift that comes from the heart or one that shows you are aware of what is important to the recipient. Here are some gift giving tips for In-Home Caregivers.

The Gift of Time

In-home care givers have a slight advantage over others, even other family members, as they spend a considerable amount of time in the home interacting with their charges. They understand what interests their patients and what they need to improve their quality of life. In many instances the gift of time is the most important thing they can receive. After all, these folks will rarely have the chance to get out on their own and taking a little time to spend with them and perhaps even take them on a field trip will be appreciated more than expensive gifts.

Some Gift Ideas for In-home Caregivers

Grandchildren are precious commodities to most elderly patients and time with them is likely rare. Handmade gifts that indicate they spent time working on the gifts, made especially for them, shows they gave their own time to create something from the heart.

The elderly have a lot to offer in the way of advice, but they also have something more valuable…memories. Spending time with elderly parents can offer the opportunity to learn about the family. Instead of having to conduct genealogy searches, talking to parents can frequently fill in many gaps in the family history. This can provide two gifts at once. Parents receive the gift of your company and you receive the gift of their memory.

An appreciated gift from the heart could be a photo album made up their favorite family pictures. With nearly everyone going digital these days, electronic devices may not be within the realm of elder adults and an old fashioned photo album may be a perfect gift. If prepared in chronological order or by family member, the elderly can trace their children back several years and, depending on their situation, could provide the impetus to spark many long-lost memories.

Retail Gifts

While it may be easier to go to a retail store and simply buy a gift, treasures truly come from the heart. Most parents and grandparents will be more enthused with a gift that took a little time and effort than they are with those that cost a lot of money. Remember too, that many grandparents still hold memories from their youth that may not have had the same financial security you may enjoy today. Their ideals may be different and a well thought out gift will mean more to them than any single item you can buy.

That is not to say that you should never purchase a gift. You should keep them in mind when shopping, especially off the beaten path, and when you find something that you know is of interest to them pick it up for them and don’t save it for a special occasion. This will let them know that they are always in your thoughts and your decision is based on your love.

Flowers or a card to express your love and appreciation for what they may have taught you can provide a world of warmth and support to those that require more care.

 

Sharing the Wealth of Wisdom – Tips for In-Home Caregivers

Sharing the “Wealth of Wisdom”

The greatest inheritance that any of us could hope to receive is the wisdom that our older loved ones have spent a lifetime learning. The holiday season is a wonderful time to sit down with visiting family members to ensure that future generations will be blessed with the wisdom of their elders.

Tips to help you record the Wisdom:

– Use whatever you’re most comfortable with. Some of you may be comfortable using a laptop for taking notes and asking the questions. I like to use – Tape Recorder and a Pen and Notebook. If you have a camcorder, it would be wonderful to get the interview for all to view! If you don’t have a camcorder, at least take a photo of your loved one before, during or after the interview.

Tips for The Setting:

– Try to pick a time when your elder is well-rested. Choose a room that is free from distractions. Sit close enough to your elder so that you can make eye contact. It’s best to do your interview one-on-one, but two or three may work almost as well. Try not to interrupt your elder.

Don’t hesitate to change the question, if it seems too hurtful. But do give them plenty of time to respond. Let them know that you value their knowledge and wisdom.

Questions to Ask during the interview – Here are a few suggestions:

1. What was the most important thing that your parents taught you?

2. What advice do you have for a good marriage?

3. What were your greatest accomplishments?

4. Was there a significant turning point in your life?

5. Is there something that you wished you had done better/differently? If so, how?

6. What is your best financial advice?

7. Who was the most influential person in your life, and why?

8. What is your best advice for raising children?

9. What was the happiest time in your life? What was the saddest?

10. What kind of dreams did you have for the future when you were a child?

11. What was the single most important thing that made you decide to marry your spouse?

12. How can we, as a family, best honor you in our lives? How would you like to be remembered?

There are more great questions for you to consider on the website – Story Corps – http://storycorps.org/record-your-story/question-generator/list/. This site also has some great tips of interviewing your seniors. Enjoy the process and don’t forget to share what you’ve learned with your other family members!

For more information on living longer, healthier, happier lives at home contact:

Hearthside Home Care Inc.

505 State St.

Greensboro, NC 27405

336-808-1351

www.HearthsideHomeCare.com

Quiet Times to Feed the Soul – Tips for In-Home Caregivers

By Angel Everett

We all lead very stressful lives, as caregivers especially. Many in-home caregivers juggle work, home, and caretaking, which leaves very little time to really relax. The holidays are now upon us and that creates more work with shopping and cooking, but it’s a perfect time to recognize our need for quiet times.

Do you take a few moments out of your day to reflect and de-stress? It’s important for our physical and mental health to have that time to unwind each day. So turn off the T.V. and the ringer on the phone. You give a lot during your day. It’s time to re-charge your battery!

Here are some tips: 

1. Find a place where you can be comfortable. It might be the easy chair in your bedroom or a stool by the fireplace. I think it’s also good to have an outside place where you can find some quiet time. Just a chair on the porch will do.
2. Pick a time of the day when you’re less likely to be interrupted. Let your family know that you just need a few minutes alone.
3. This is your time to pamper yourself. You may choose to just sit with a cup of coffee or a glass of wine. Try to concentrate on nothing! Breathe. Soft music may help or just the sounds of the birds outside can calm us down. Relax. Loosen up your neck by rotating your head a bit. Roll your shoulders and gently shake out your legs.
4. Give yourself at least 10 to 15 minutes to really unwind. Close your eyes and focus on your breathing.
5. When you can spare a few more minutes, try jotting down some things you are grateful for, or just think about something nice that happened today. Think about the things that bring you joy. Do you love to watch the rain or a crackling fire in the hearth? Has someone you love done something nice lately? Push negative thoughts and problems aside. There will be time for those. Think happy thoughts. Recognize the things in your life that bring beauty and joy – a favorite childhood memory or a visit with a grandchild.
6. This is also a good time to read poetry or open your Bible to a favorite passage. Read slowly and really think about the words and the meaning. Just a few pages or passages can give you a whole new outlook for the day. Think about how the words speak to you.
7.  Also choose to go outside every day. Even when it’s cold, bundle up and just go out on the porch for a few minutes. Feel the air and look up at the sky. Did you know that the simple act of looking up can help relieve tension and stress? Look for the beauty that is in your own yard.
8. If you are having trouble getting your quiet time, you might find taking a bath will get you that alone time. Light a few candles and set out your favorite sleepwear. Put on some soothing music and post a “Do not Disturb” sign on the door.
9. If possible, soak up some sun while you’re having your quiet time. Pick a spot by a sunny window. It’s important during the winter months to get enough sun.
10. Make your quiet time a daily splurge. It’s only a few minutes. Encourage your loved ones to try it too.

My mother has always taught me the importance of quiet time. Her refuge is up in a sunny window of her bedroom. She says it makes her feel so much better. “I listen to beautiful classical music or read my Bible. Sometimes I’ll just work a puzzle in front of the window.”

I hope this encourages you to give yourself the simple gift of quiet time. We’d love to hear from you about how you relax and de-stress!

The Secret to Happiness is Gratitude – Tips for In-Home Caregivers

By Angel Everett

Perhaps it’s because many of them lived through the Great Depression and learned early in life that everything took a lot of hard work. I’m not sure that’s all of it, but even studies have shown that the oldest generations are also the happiest. So, what is their secret?

As a journalist, I’ve had the privilege to interview hundreds of seniors. I’m always amazed by their stories. Many grew up on farms where hard work was just a part of life. They left their homes to venture out in the world and many served their countries, traveling to faraway places. Their triumphs and heart breaks have been many, but almost without exception, they tell me they are so very thankful for their lives and for what they have.

Unlike younger generations, they went into adulthood knowing that life would take work. They didn’t expect a handout but took pride in working towards their goals. Now, in their “golden years” they are experiencing illnesses and the loss of loved ones. Yet, even those have told me, “I’ve have a wonderful life and I’m so grateful for everything I have.”  The power of gratitude is enormous.

As our season of Thanksgiving approaches, I hope we all consider our elders and their attitudes towards life. We are not promised tomorrow. We are not promised a life without heartaches. Today is all we really have. How we live it is up to us. 

My own parents have suffered serious health issues over the past few years. They are so grateful that they have recovered from both cancer and a paralyzing syndrome called Guilliane Barre. My father has been blessed to be cancer-free for the last 10 years. He lost his bladder, but not his life. While he was still in the hospital and fighting to survive, he told me that he was not afraid of dying. “I don’t want to die, but if I do, I’m still thankful for everything that God has given me. I have a wonderful family and lived a great life. I could not ask for more.”

My parents enjoy the small wonders of life. They love working in their yard and seeing their grandchildren and especially their great-grandchildren. They can still work circles around me. They take a lot of satisfaction in their everyday accomplishments. My mother recently told me that she knew daddy would probably have some hard issues to deal with in the near future. She said, “It won’t be easy, but I’m so grateful that we’ve had this past 10 years together. Think of all that he would have missed! We are very blessed.”

I try my best to be my parent’s daughter and be thankful for all that I have. When my children were growing up and started whining about something, I’d say, “Attitude is everything.” Well, gratitude is an attitude. We can choose to be happy and grateful, or not. What generation of the past could boast of our lifestyles? Not a one. Yet we have more depression and more desperation in our generation than any other. As in-home caregivers during this great recession, don’t we all have a lot to learn from the generations of the past?

My prayer this holiday season is to learn how to live the gift of gratitude everyday of the year and that my children and grandchildren will come to understand that material things cannot make you happy. Family, friends and the love they share with us are the greatest gifts of all!

 

How to Stay Positive – No Matter What! – Tips for Caregivers

By Angel Everett

There’s a lot of negativity in this old world. It’s hard to turn on the TV or read the news without becoming discouraged about our health, our finances, or world affairs.  But our homes should be a refuge from negativity, even though it is so easy to become overwhelmed and slide into the dark side.

Negativity is contagious, but so are happy thoughts and a positive attitude. When we are caregivers, we have a huge impact on those around us. We are powerful, even though we often don’t feel that way. Keeping a good attitude and choosing to look at the good aspects of our lives, is so important to our own good health, but also to the ones we’re caring for.

When my kids were young, I slid into the dark side on a regular basis. I found myself screaming a lot in an effort to get my children to conform to my will. I often thought to myself, “These kids are out of control.” In reality, I was the one who was more to blame. One day, after yelling at my youngest son, I saw a look that seemed familiar to me. It was my son’s face filled with discouragement. Then I remembered when my own mother would raise her voice and how it made me feel. I vowed on that day to leave yelling and negativity behind. Now you know, it wasn’t quite that easy. There were many days where I nearly had to take a long walk just to keep the frustration at bay. It took time, but gradually, I did get control over my negative emotions. Our home became a much nicer place and my children began to treat each other better. As my daughter now tells her own sons, I learned to tell myself, “Use your words and don’t yell!”

Our elderly loved ones are often hurting – both physically and mentally. They can no longer do all the things they love and are trying to endure. Some older people become quite jaded and often respond with frustration. We can make it worse, or we can try to make it better. Sometimes it’s best to just walk away and give them some time to think it out on their own. Sometimes we just have to offer them a “detour” and change the subject. I know that isn’t always possible, but many times it can work. Other times, we probably should just let them have their way. Consequences have a way of converting the hardest hearts!

Here are some tips for caregivers:

We all need to remember that our own parents put up with us while we were children. They weren’t perfect disciplinarians, but they did their best. Now it’s time for us to give them our best.

So give yourself a positive attitude for just one day and see how it changes the way you feel and affects your loved one. Kindness is always the best policy. Remember, what goes around, comes around. Our own children are watching how we interact with our elders. Let’s set a good example that will bless us in the future!

 

Tips for Keeping the Joy of Caregiving for In-Home Caregivers

 

In-Home Caregiver Tips for Keeping the Joy of Caregiving !

 

We all know the joy of giving, but if you’re a full-time caregiver, you also know the stress that can build up over time. It’s so important to take care of yourself. Caregivers are more likely to get sick and even die before their loved one! Giving can continue to be a joy and one that you should always share.

 

Here are some tips on how to effectively ask for help!

 

1. Sit down and make a list of your family members, your close friends and the friends/neighbors of your loved one.

 

2. Think about what you need and when you need it. Include at least one day or half-day off per week. Put this information on a list.

 

3. Make a list of trips your loved one has to make on a regular basis. Are any of these a burden for you? Note the ones that are more difficult for you to do alone.

 

4. Be proactive – Find your local Adult Day Care centers, senior centers, and respite care providers in your locality. Keep this list handy!

 

5. These four lists are your reference for others who can help.

 

6. Call a family meeting and let your family members know that you need their help.

 

7. Make sure to tell them how much it would mean to your loved one to have more time to spend with them. Showing your appreciation beforehand can open the door to you getting the help you need.

 

8. Make arrangements with neighbors/friends for emergencies. These are the people who are able to help on short notice. Have at least three back up people for emergencies.

 

9. For your one day off per week, try to have two to four people to turn to. It might be hard for one of them to make it every week, so make it once or twice a month. That’s usually manageable.

 

10. If any of your loved one’s scheduled trips are hard for you, try to get a volunteer! Offer to treat them both to lunch out on their trips!

 

11. You also need one weekend off per month. Check with your local respite providers and family members. You’ll have a carefree weekend to refresh!

 

12. Make sure you have a detailed “Care Guide” posted on your loved one’s refrigerator. Include phone numbers for doctors, hospitals, family members. Also have their medications listed and times to administer them. Food allergies, food preferences, and schedules should also be on this list.

 

Remember that the social interactions with others is also good for your loved one. They will feel better knowing you are getting the rest and relaxation you need to continue to care for them. If they object, remind them of how much you love them and want to continue to be a cheerful.

 

For more information on living longer, healthier, happier lives at home contact:

Hearthside Home Care Inc.

 

505 State St.

 

Greensboro, NC 27405

 

336-808-1351

 

www.HearthsideHomeCare.com

 

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