Caregiver “Two” Caregiver: Care Tips & FYI’s
Welcome to the first official blog post for Chosen Two Care. As a full time caregiver for the past year and a half it has been a whirlwind of emotions, mistakes, and LOTS of research and learning. It’s truly an honor to be CHOSEN to care for my loved ones. Below is a list of observations and knowledge I have gained thus far from my experience that I wanted to share with you all.
What’s in them will come out; which can sometimes make it harder to care for the person you love. Lead with love! This is easier said than done when our loved ones become mean/meaner or forgetful when they are sick. Keep doing what’s right and try not to take it personal. If things become too much, you may need to consider getting a trusted family member or home health nurse to come in and help. This can allow you to step away more often. Most insurance companies cover a home health nurse, but benefits and qualifications differ per carrier. If a home health nurse is not covered under insurance or your loved one doesn’t qualify, most CNA’s in hospitals and inpatient facilities can provide their services outside of these facilities in private care settings. If you need additional help, ask a CNA if they are able to help you outside of their jobs (ex.Conflict of interest) and if so what their rates are. In addition, Transportation services driver may have a personal business to address private care needs not covered by insurance for transportation at a set rate.
Calls of concern are great, but if it becomes overwhelming designate a trusted family member to provide details and updates on your behalf.
Watch your loved one’s water intake and bowel movements. Dehydration can cause brain fog, headaches, and other health issues. Check with their doctor about setting up IV Hydration or giving them electrolytes (dye free and artificial sugar free). Constipation can lead to impaction which can cause ammonia levels in the body to rise. High ammonia levels can lead to liver and kidney failure. Check with their doctor about adding a natural laxative powder to their daily diet or prescribing a Laxative and Ammonia reducer. Also, research laxative powders vs milk of magnesia. When it comes to electrolytes, discuss with the doctor about the amount of electrolytes that should be given per day. Sometimes if given too much, body tissue can go into overload and start retaining water. This can cause swelling in the extremities, feet, and around the heart. This may require a diuretic (water pill), compression stockings, etc to help release the excess water. Please discuss with their doctor about what would work best for them.
Consider adding a liquid or pill form vitamin to your loved one’s routine. As we get older our appetites can change and we don’t get all the nutrients from food that our bodies need.
Discuss with you loved one’s doctor about the side effects in seniors if they get prescribed Lyrica or Tramadol.
If you are looking at online shopping sites for products or supplies, make sure to read product reviews and videos. Also, consider your local thrift stores such as Goodwill as they may have new or gently used walkers, wheelchairs, canes, potty chairs, and unopened adult diaper or briefs.
If your loved one happens to be in the hospital, when discussing information about their care with the physician or nurse try to exit the room if possible. Even if your loved one is asleep or unconscious, they may still be able to hear you. Healing can be hard enough on a person, so hearing any negative thoughts or concerns could potentially set them back mentally and physically.
When giving medicine in pill form, please be aware of the size. As we get older, though it can differ from person to person, our swallowing ability can be weakened; therefore, medicines and food can become trapped in the throat or get into the lungs. Pneumonia can develop if too much medicine or food gets settled in the lungs when it does not dissolve properly or can’t be coughed up. Please check with your loved one’s doctor or pharmacist for alternative forms of the medicine and ask if it can be mixed with food or a liquid. If your loved one tends to get choked easily, talk with their doctor or if in the hospital, a Speech-language pathologists (SLPs) about doing a swallow test. They may suggest a thickener that can be added to food and liquids to help prevent or lessen the chances of food or drinks entering into the lungs.
Incorporating drinking straws are a good way to prevent or lessen the chances of choking from too much liquid being consumed all at once. When purchasing straws, avoid ones with large holes.
Set bills up on autopay so there can be one less thing to worry about. Make sure you still monitor the statements so that you aren’t being overcharged.
If possible, take your loved one out for car rides. Getting out the house from time to time does their mind and body good! If they’re unable to ride in a car try to get them in the sunshine or in a room where there is sunlight. When not done, Delirium (an acute state of confusion) which can also mimic Dementia can set in and cause your loved one to be disoriented and confused. This can happen at home or in a hospital setting. So, getting outside air and sunshine can really have a positive impact on their mental and physical health.
Word games, crossword puzzles/word search books, dominos, puzzles are great ways to help keep brain functions active. Also, doing memory tests with them that include days of the weeks, months, dates, and the current year serves great as well. These things are sometimes tested for at their annual Wellness Exams.
Check with your loved one’s health insurance provider to see if there are programs available through their health benefit that covers supplies for little or no cost to them or you. Some nonprofits, national foundations, and states agencies help seniors pay for durable medical equipment through grants, low-interest loans, assistive technology programs, and financial aid programs. Consider checking their state’s website or calling the local Area Agency on Aging office for assistance in locating available programs.
If have any unopened products such as bed pads, adult diapers/briefs, or gently used walkers, canes, wheelchairs, etc; please consider donating them to your local thrift store to help others in need, that may not have the finances to pay a high price for them.
Be cautious about using air freshener plug-ins in your home as the chemicals maybe harmful to the lungs of yourself, infants, or your loved ones especially if they have breathing issues. Look for nontoxic alternatives instead. Please consider reading this article in Washington Post online entitled: “If you can smell your air freshener, you might have a problem.” Direct link here: https://www.washingtonpost.com/weather/2023/02/22/air-freshener-indoor-air-quality/
If your loved one uses a bedside commode, to make clean up easier and keep odor minimal consider purchasing commode liner bags and placing a cup cat litter in the bottom of the bags to absorb the liquid and smell.
Caregiving takes teamwork so consider me apart of your virtual team. I look forward to sharing information that I learn or use that maybe helpful to you. Check back regularly for new posts!
