Family Resources
Father’s Day–Firing Up the Grill Safely with Dad
Jun 11th
Father’s Day–Firing Up the Grill Safely with Dad
With the arrival of warmer weather across the country, many people are venturing out of the kitchen and out to the grill. It’s important to remember that while this summer pastime is always fun – it can also be dangerous.
1. Cook your meat thoroughly:
Food poisoning can hit a person receiving in-home care very hard. It is something that can easily happen when a hamburger or steak is not on the grill long enough. There is a risk of getting E. coli, salmonella or another bacteria. The bottom line is that you want to make sure and check the meat before you eat it. If it looks a little too raw, hunger can wait for a few more minutes on the grill.
2. That’s hot – watch out:
An older person does not have the reflexes they used to. That means keeping aware of where they are at all times while the grill is hot. It is easy for a little mistake to create a very big burn. One way of doing this so the senior doesn’t feel helpless or like a child is to turn it into a teaching moment. How did they use the More >
Independence Day is About Independence
Jun 11th
The Fourth of July is right around the corner and it can give you an excuse to look for ways to make sure everyone involved in an in-home care situation is getting the independence they are looking for.
To make sure everyone enjoys the national holiday, it’s a good time to check in with the entire family on how things are going. Is everyone happy with the status quo? Does someone wish they could do something different?
Remember, this is a family matter so it’s important to get all members of the family involved. It’s not just one person’s responsibility. Homewatch CareGivers prides itself as being part of the family, so don’t hesitate to ask questions.
As the summer moves on and there are more outdoor activities, it’s easy for a family caregiver to get burned out. Make sure you ask for help when you need it.
Homewatch CareGivers is a premier caregiver agency, providing home care for all ages. We invite you to visit www.seniorcarecharlotte.net where you can read articles related to home health,Dementia Care Tips and home care news; or download PDF home care resources. From health care coordination and hospital discharge planning to home care transportation and daily living assistance, let our family of caregivers care for yours.
Dementia Care Tip: Handling Mood Swings
Jun 11th
People with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia can often experience mood swings. These episodes can be trying on their caregivers as they try to help.
“The best thing that a caregiver can do to mitigate mood and behavior changes is to know and understand the individual person — including history, likes and dislikes, favorite foods, music and activities, what soothes them, what upsets them, what time of day they are at their best, and so on,” said Ruth Drew, Director of Family and Information Services for the Alzheimer’s Association. “When you know the person you can organize the day so that you anticipate and avert many
problems before they occur. You recognize the signs of distress early and have several methods of dealing with them.”
Some of these methods include filling the day with pleasant experiences in which the person is comfortable and comforted by sights, sounds and tastes they enjoy. This needs to be combined with plenty of “down time” to avoid feelings of boredom and loneliness. Proper management of diet, activity and medications can minimize pain that might also cause mood swings.
“When someone with Alzheimer’s seems upset or withdrawn, first assess for pain or discomfort,” Drew said. “Pain in people More >
