Signs of a Bad Caregiver
Filed under Caregiver education, Elderly Caregiver
You suspect something is wrong with your loved one but you are not sure what it is. It is possible the “care” from the caregiver is the cause of the problem. Look out for some of these signs.
Is the caregiver not showing respect towards your loved one? Do they listen? Are they considerate? Does the Alzheimer caregiver show respect? Are they punctual? Do they have any manners? How often does the elderly caregiver encourage your loved one? Do they go above and beyond their duties? How often does the caregiver assume things?
Signs of Caregiver Abuse
Rarely listens to you or your loved one. Tell them something and see if they can recall it back moments later. It might be something as simple as planning out a meal.
The bad caregiver interrupts your loved one and interjects their own opinion on the matter without letting your loved one finish their thoughts.
Talks to one being cared for like a baby. For example, “I know what’s best for you.” “Be a good girl and eat your meal.” “You shouldn’t eat that, it’s not good for you.” They make gestures and sounds that are similar to baby noises. Giving pet names to your loved one like “honey”, “sweetie”, or “baby” are quite disrespectful unless there is some agreement that it’s alright to use those words.
Here is one that is always irritating. Caregivers talk to someone as if they are deaf even when they can hear you fine. If you see a caregiver raising their voices for no particular reason to your loved one, that is a bad thing.
Do they laugh or smirk at your loved one about their elderly incontinence? This is an immediate sign of not showing any respect for their situation.
Towering over your loved one like they are in command and being an authority to them. The caregiver and the person being cared for should be on equal terms and should never be looked down upon. You can see this happening if they give orders to your loved one and never asks them for their permission.
Caregiver taking personal phone calls during their work hours. They talk on their phones while ignoring your cared one and even acting as if they do not understand or exist.
If you see these signs in a caregiver, talk to your loved one and ask them how they are being treated. If they are unable to communicate their words, you have to be more aware of the treatment and behaviors of a bad caregiver. Sadly, this does happen and many elderly, disabled, and mentally challenged individuals get taken advantage. Find more in home caregivers in your local area and give your loved one, the care they deserve.
Tags: Bad Caregiver
Elderly Care Advance Directives
Filed under Caregiver education, Elderly Caregiver
The importance of advance directives
A crucial but sensitive issue to discuss is the creation of a living will and durable power of attorney. Living wills are written instructions that explain ones’ wishes regarding healthcare in the case of a terminal illness and should be very specific. Durable power of attorney delegates a person to make decisions if one becomes unable to do so. A living will and durable power of attorney should be done by consulting those involved in carrying out the wishes of the one to whom you provide care.
While finances and legal issues may be a sensitive subject, approach them in terms of “helping” rather than “taking over.” Most likely, you won’t be mentioning anything your loved one isn’t already concerned about. Having these documents prepared, and assuring they outline wishes in case of terminal illness and/or inability to make decisions, will help minimize conflict and confusion.
Aging Caregiver
Filed under Caregiver education, Elderly Caregiver
Are you an aging caregiver? Here is the reality. You are getting older and it’s getting harder for you to care for your elderly recipient without neglecting your own problems. To prevent caregiver burnout and injuries, you must remember that taking care of yourself is just as important as taking care of others. There comes a point when you must give up the caregiver role and try other solutions.
- Nursing home
I understand it’s a bad economy right now. Although expensive, these are very viable options for aging caregivers. There is 24 hour supervision and nurses available. Usually you can get government resources to reduce the cost to you.
- Hire a caregiver
if you have to take care of a close family member or parent, please get an extra hand for the manual labor tasks such as lifting or carrying heavy objects. The last thing you want is to get injured. That will not help you or the care recipient. There are caregiver agencies that offer good caregiver assistance to those who need such help.
- Seek help from other family members or friends
This might seem like you are putting out a burden on others but just like it takes a village to raise a child, it takes a community to look after our aging population. This network is also important to provide emotional support.
The caregiver needs must not be ignored. You are not alone in this matter.
Dealing with Elderly Incontinence
Filed under Caregiver education, Elderly Caregiver
Learn to manage incontinence
Incontinence, or loss of bladder control, is a common condition that many caregivers must deal with. It is actually a symptom, not a disease in itself, caused by a wide range of conditions and disorders, including pelvic surgery injuries, certain diseases, infection and degenerative changes associated with aging. Some medications may also cause incontinence.
People with incontinence often experience emotional as well as physical discomfort. There is much that can be done to treat and manage the condition. One of the first steps you should take is to talk a doctor, who can help devise a treatment plan. Here are some additional tips to help you deal with the common challenges associated with incontinence:
Elderly Urinary Incontinence Tips
If you are a home caregiver, make it easy to find the bathroom. Use night lights in the bedroom and hallways, or keep the bathroom light on overnight. Brightly colored arrows or glow-in-the-dark tape on the walls to point the way can also help lessen confusion in the dark.
Many people have accidents because they can’t reach the bathroom in time. Purchase commodes, which is a seat with a opening at the bottom, for toilet use. Consider encouraging the use of a cane or walker to help increase mobility. Create a safe and easy path to the bathroom. Rearrange furniture, and remove clutter and other obstacles such as unsafe area rugs. Also, stairs may make it harder to reach the bathroom in time.
Straining to get in or out of a chair or bed may put added pressure on the bladder and cause accidents. Chairs with sturdy arms on the sides help provide leverage to get in and out easier. Avoid rocking chairs if the person has difficulty getting out of them. Consider an automatic handicapped lift chair that helps one sit and stand with minimal effort.
Allow adequate time and privacy in the bathroom to completely empty the bladder. Remove wet clothing immediately after an accident and rinse as soon as possible to cut down on odor. Can’t rinse right away? Store in an airtight container or plastic bag with a room deodorizer placed inside. Create a schedule of regular trips to the bathroom. Start by going every two hours, and slowly increase the intervals over several weeks.
If accidents are happening near the toilet, is it because the person finds it difficult to sit down on the toilet? A raised toilet seat elevates the toilet height to a more comfortable level. Also, think about adding wall handrails to make things even easier.
If you feel awkward or unqualified to do these tasks, you can always hire a caregiver for the job.