I just can't help but talk about gardening this time of year. I admit it - I'm addicted. It's not uncommon for me to get my garden gloves on early on a Saturday morning and still have them on when at sundown. Once I start working in my garden, I just can't stop - especially this time of year. So why am I going to talk about caregivers resentment and weeds in your garden?
Topics: AGE-u-cate Training Institute, Senior Care Professionals, Family Caregiver, Caregiver, caregivers, Faith Community, family caregivers, Pam Brandon, Resentment
Despite our disappointments, struggles, and unknowns, we must cling to hope - for renewal, rebirth, and regrowth. This season brings hope as we witness new blossoms, trees budding and renewed faith. Caregivers need to above all, cling to their hope that this journey you are on will bring new blessings, opportunities for personal growth, and strength to carry on your important work.
Topics: AGE-u-cate Training Institute, Senior Care Professionals, Family Caregiver, Caregiver, caregivers, Dementia Live, Faith Community, glioblastoma
Caring for a close family member friend can be emotionally overwhelming. While many caregivers find fulfillment in helping another person, along with this comes feelings of loss, anger, grief, and guilt. Caregivers struggle with depression and anxiety at a much higher rate than the general population. Counseling can be very beneficial for helping people with what is called caregiver burnout.
Topics: AGE-u-cate Training Institute, Senior Care Professionals, Family Caregiver, dementia, Family, Caregiver, caregivers, leadership, Faith Community, Caregiver Burnout, Burnout, Depression, families, Anxiety, Counseling
Dear, Honey, Hun, Sweetie, Buddy, Chief, That’s a good boy, Let's go potty now. No, I am not talking to my 18-month-old, I am repeating terms of endearment and phrases I hear in memory care and assisted living every day. There is so much research behind the use of this type of language researchers refer to it as elderspeak. I know I am guilty of using terms like these and I know you are too but explore the impact it may be having on our residents.
Topics: AGE-u-cate Training Institute, dementia care, The Family Caregiver, Senior Care Professionals, Senior Care, dementia, Caregiver, compassionate touch, Dementia Live, leadership, Hospital Professionals, eldercare
Empathetic listening is defined as a method via which you can prevent or manage disruptive or challenging behaviors. Caregivers can benefit from practicing empathetic listening, especially with people living with dementia. The result will be improved communications and reduced stress for both care partners.
Topics: AGE-u-cate Training Institute, Senior Care Professionals, Family Caregiver, Senior Care, dementia, Caregiver, caregivers, Dementia Live, leadership, Stress, Empathetic Listening, Caregiver Tools
Call it awareness, attention, focus, presence, or vigilance. It's proving to be a powerful and effective practice in coping with stress. Caregiving can easily top the charts on stress, especially for caregivers of elders with chronic illness and dementia. Mindfulness for caregivers means learning to live in the moment, accept the reality of a situation, and filter out distractions.
Topics: AGE-u-cate Training Institute, Senior Care Professionals, Family Caregiver, Caregiver, compassionate touch, Dementia Live, Centering, Stress, families, Mindfulness
Topics: Senior Care Professionals, culture change, Caregiver, Hospice care, Hospice
Some think compassion is an attribute reserved for people like Mother Teresa. But compassion isn’t just reserved for those who travel a moral high ground. Hospice care professionals cultivate compassion for when they are called to the bedside.
Topics: Senior Care Professionals, Caregiver, Professional Caregiver, Hospice care, Hospice
When visiting someone with dementia, be ready for anything. Things can change day- to- day, even moment- to- moment in dementia care. A little preparation can go a long way to help create a positive experience in dementia care. Have a “magic bag” ready that you can pull things out of that may reach through the dementia to the person inside.
Topics: dementia care, The Family Caregiver, Person-centered, Senior Care Professionals, Memory Care, culture change, care staff, Caregiver
Family members and professionals alike struggle with how to interact with a person living with the bewildering condition of dementia. As a caregiver, it’s easy to forget that this person can often answer and follow much more of a conversation than given credit for.
Topics: The Family Caregiver, senior caregiver, Caregiver
