By Susan Baida, Co-Founder of http://www.ecarediary.com
My father-in-law, Ken, had Parkinson’s disease since the time my husband, John, and I first met. The way John described how he moved across country to be near him after the Parkinson’s diagnosis and how he cared for him was one of the reasons I fell in love with him. I admired the devotion to his family and the tender bond he shared with Ken.
John was the youngest of three children, the only son and the one living closest to Ken. It made sense that John would be the one to look after his needs, especially since his older sisters lived out of town and had young children of their own to care for.
While Ken’s health declined slowly at the beginning of our relationship, it seemed to take sharp turns, with periodic visits to the emergency room. He would fall and ended up breaking a rib on one occasion, dislocating a shoulder on another. John tended to him while he was bedridden, handled his errands, prepared his meals, and organized his annual Christmas party.
Ken would recover, and there would be periods of normalcy. He was fiercely independent, but after another dangerous episode, where he fell face down on an icy sidewalk and broke his nose, Ken ultimately agreed to a home health aide.
John would always tell me how he wished I knew Ken before the Parkinson’s. While the disease limited his ability to speak and express himself, the Parkinson’s medication made him obsessive compulsive. Research shows that the Parkinson’s drug, Stalevo, has the side effect of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). Ken was also in deep denial about his physical limitations and expected John to help him maintain his lifestyle and social routines—attending political meetings, traveling south for the spring season, volunteering for his local community board. It seems as his health worsened, the demands intensified.
It was not just managing his care. John became Ken’s personal assistant as the OCD intensified. Ken would ask John over and over again if a certain task was done yet. On other occasions, we were awakened by 3 a.m. phone calls. Ken would call, disturbed about an upcoming local election or some other non-emergency issue. He didn’t realize the time of night or that we were panicked, thinking he landed in the hospital again.
During this time as John’s wife, I felt frustrated and had many conflicting emotions. Admittedly, it was difficult to see beyond the stress. Being married to someone who was caring for an aging parent, these were some of the emotions I experienced:
- Neglected. John and I spent less time together as a couple. Both of us worked full-time jobs, and it became a regular habit for John to go to Ken’s apartment right after work. I had needs too. I missed having my best friend around to talk to. We also wanted to start a family. Often times, he was so stressed, tired, and depleted that there was little of him left to make love.
- Helpless. There were times John really didn’t know what to do and how to deal with the frustration. While I had cared for my grandmother years ago, the circumstances were very different, and I couldn’t offer the advice he needed. Also, as much as I wanted to help relieve John of some of the care duties, many times Ken just wanted his own son to do things.
- Resentful. Admittedly, there were days I resented Ken for not realizing his limitations and demanding so much from John. I resented his sisters for not pitching in more. I felt it was unfair that the entire burden fell on John. I understood his sisters had children of their own to care for, but this fact seemed to spotlight the fact that we were a childless couple. We craved a normal life so we could have children of our own.
- Guilty. I felt guilty for feeling neglected and resentful. I remembered that this could be the beginning of the end and that John should be left to spend whatever last precious moments he had with his father.
- Feeling it would never end. I wondered how long we could live this way and when it would end. I dreaded the possibility that this could last for years. We both wondered how we could we possibly bring an infant into this situation.
Ken went into rapid decline after contracting aspiration pneumonia in February 2007. He recovered but became weaker. Then his girlfriend of 26 years died. Literally six weeks later, Ken passed away in August 2007.
When he died, we were overcome with deep loss. Ken’s larger-than-life presence left a gaping hole in our family. Yet there was also a sense of relief, for him and for us.
Looking back, I realize the emotions I mentioned above were very normal and that we shouldn’t beat ourselves up for having them. Below are some lessons I learned in hindsight. If you find yourself as the companion of a caregiver, I hope these offer some help.
- Sometimes you may not be the right one to help your companion through this emotional roller coaster ride. Sometimes, I was too close to his situation to lend an unbiased ear. I suggested he see a counselor. It was one of the best things he ever did for his sanity. The other best thing he did was talk to people who had been through similar experiences, particularly with the same disease.
- No matter how hard you try to lend a hand, there may be times when you just can’t. You in-law may prefer their own son or daughter because they may be embarrassed and not want to burden you. Let’s not ignore the fact while you may be very close to them, nothing beats the bond they have with their own child. Remember not to take it personally.
- Remember that your companion may be feeling neglected, alone and overwhelmed. All too often, caregivers neglect their own health and become sick as a result of the stress. Caregivers need to be cared for too. This is your opportunity to offer words of encouragement, perhaps a massage and some time to themselves, too.
- The end, in fact, does come, and then it feels too soon. Just when you feel there’s no end in sight, it can come sooner than you expect. None of us were prepared emotionally when Ken suffered a stroke that led to his death a week later. I remember feeling overwhelmingly grateful that I had a part in the last and most difficult months of his life.
Two weeks after Ken’s passing, John and I learned we were pregnant with our first child. Despite the great sense of loss, this news marked the most wonderful beginning of a new chapter in our marriage. It enabled us to move forward with new hope. It was a miraculous irony. It was as if Ken said, “Okay, kids. You can move on now.” Avery Elizabeth Mills was born 9 months later In April 2008.
In case you missed them, or maybe you're not even on Twitter yet, we wanted to re-cap all of @brightstarcare's Tweets for the month of June. We strive to share helpful articles, tools and Websites and hope the following will be of value to you. Enjoy!
RT @ Caregiving is not easy. Tips for caring for the caregiver: Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Do you know the signs of a stroke? Don't be taken off-guard: Wednesday, June 30, 2010
An important safety issue for all drivers RT @ Older driver licensing: what's missing in the discussion? Tuesday, June 29, 2010
RT @ Caregiving is not easy. Tips for caring for the caregiver: Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Implications on Sndwch Gen? RT @ Wonder what the future holds? Read The Changing Demographics of America Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Divorce adds new dynamic for family caregivers Tuesday, June 29, 2010
This is pretty fascinating! Great work RT @ My latest blog post: The Elder-Friendly Emergency Care Experience... Tuesday, June 29, 2010
How - and why - to stay home: Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Chicken or egg? Interesting take on aging RT @ via @: Dispelling Conventional Aging Myths Monday, June 28, 2010
Getting homecare? You DO have a say when it comes to your caregiver: Monday, June 28, 2010
Elder care spreads adult children thin: How can we help the Sandwich Generation? Thursday, June 24, 2010
Think homecare is unsafe? Think again: Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Thx for sharing! Sleep is so important at all ages. RT @ The Surprising Toll of Sleep Deprivation (Newsweek): Wednesday, June 23, 2010
RT @ The Elderly, Through the Eyes of a Geriatrician Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Thank you for the kind words @! Wednesday, June 23, 2010
BrightStar Gurnee Reports Many Seniors Will Lose the Ability to Make Health Decisions Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Facing more myths about home health care head-on: Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Think you know homecare? Think again: Tuesday, June 22, 2010
RT @ Health Discovery: Hearing Aids in the Loop Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Thanks for the RT @! Friday, June 18, 2010
Happy Friday! @ @ @ @ So many insightful Tweeple! Friday, June 18, 2010
What you don't know about homecare... could hurt you: Thursday, June 17, 2010
RNs are the frontline of healthcare RT @ Obama recognizes nurses' championing of health reform Thursday, June 17, 2010
A fascinating article about safety! Thx for sharing. :) RT @ The Safety Dance (NY Times) - Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Plan [wisely] ahead: RT @ Who will make your life-or-death decision? Wednesday, June 16, 2010
RT @ Ask the Experts: A Beneficiary's Death - Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Do you or does someone you know need homecare? Start here first: Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Thanks for the RT @! Be sure to check out the 10 myths about home health care that we're de-bunking: Tuesday, June 15, 2010
10 Home Health Care Myths De-Bunked: Part I Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Respite for family caregivers a necessity? See why we think so: Monday, June 14, 2010
Sandwich Generation: Don't be spread thin! Learn how: Monday, June 14, 2010
Did you know? Working Caregivers Are More Likely to Have Health Issues Monday, June 14, 2010
RT @ Really? The Claim: Mosquitoes are Attracted to Women More Than to Men Monday, June 14, 2010
Did you miss something? Not to worry! We're re-capping the month of May in Tweets: Happy Friday, Tweeple! Friday, June 11, 2010
@ reports on new study emphasizing caregiver wellness Wednesday, June 09, 2010
@ reports on new study emphasizing caregiver wellness Wednesday, June 09, 2010
@ reports on new study emphasizing caregiver wellness Wednesday, June 09, 2010
Looking for more caregiver resources? Support caregivers, share this: Tuesday, June 08, 2010
RT @ Female Caregivers Face a Heavier Toll Tuesday, June 08, 2010
Working Caregivers Are More Likely to Have Health Issues Tuesday, June 08, 2010
Working Caregivers Are More Likely to Have Health Issues Tuesday, June 08, 2010
RT @ Call for Participants in Early Memory Loss Study: 's 11:25 AM Jun 3rd
Thanks for sharing @! 9:23 AM Jun 1st
Happy first day of June, tweeple! Take control and do at least one thing each day that makes you happy: 8:58 AM Jun 1st
The need for homecare is growing, and so are the number of questions people have about it. In a recent blog entry, we faced five common misconceptions about home health care head-on, and now we're topping it off with five more because, when it comes to your health or that of a loved one, there is no room for compromise.
- If I get home health care, I have no say in who my caregiver should be. Caregiver compatibility is imperative due to the personal nature of homecare. When you arrange for a care professional to come into your home, you must ensure that you find someone you can trust. Each family should be matched with a caregiver with whom they are comfortable, which is why family members should must identify what they would like in a caregiver and be upfront about this with your homecare provider.
- I may need homecare, but it is unsafe to invite a stranger into my home. From a security standpoint, if you are dealing with a qualified, reputable agency, you should feel safe in arranging for help in the home. From a medical standpoint, studies show that the home can be a safer than the alternatives and not only because of the one-on-one care. One study indicated that half of infections could be linked directly to hospital care. Another study reported that, given they are seeking the appropriate treatment for their condition, patients with chronic heart disease fare better at home versus the hospital. And, ultimately, remaining home can be less stressful because it is familiar, which can foster a sense of calmness and comfort for patients.
- I only need help with basic hygiene care, so I don't qualify for homecare. However basic your needs, there should be no limit for a homecare provider to assist you. Be sure to find a home health care agency that can provide the full range of homecare, from basic peer-level companionship and hygiene assistance to highly skilled nursing and therapy.
- We had an emergency at 3 a.m., but we'll just have to wait until normal business hours to get help at home. When you and your family face an urgent situation, the last thing you want to do is wait around. Read these first time parents' story about finding newborn care at 3 a.m. Find a provider that can provide 24/7 customer service and assistance.
- Until I know exactly what we need, I don't need in-home care. You don't need to know, that's what qualified homecare professionals are here for. Just make sure any agency you turn to offers R.N. oversight on every case to ensure all of your loved one's needs (from safety, health and everything in between) are accounted for. Take this case from one of our homecare agencies as an example:
An elderly woman who was looking for basic bathing and shopping assistance was found to have been suffering from cellulitis unbeknownst to the woman's daughter and hidden under her sock - all because an R.N. is required to perform an assessment on every case, no matter what kind of assistance is being provided.
Are we missing anything, or do you have a question about home health care? Ask us, or post a comment now!
According to the AARP, 82% of people said that they would prefer to stay in their homes as long as possible. So it's no wonder that an increasing number of families face the challenge of arranging home health care for loved ones every day. And more often than not, this is the first time they've ever even thought about homecare and, naturally, they have a lot of questions. Where do I start? Who can I trust? What do we need? How often do we need it?
There's a lot of great information out there and, as is common in most things in life, there is an almost equal amount of misinformation too. When you or a loved one needs care, regardless of whether you're looking for senior transportation and peer-level companionship or highly skilled adult home care, there is too much at stake to risk being misinformed.
When it comes to your health or that of a loved one, there is no room for compromise. That's why we're cutting through the noise and de-bunking common myths about home health care.
- You don't need homecare if you can't meet a 4-hour minimum. If you need care, whether it's for one hour or 24, you should be able to get what you need. Everyone's situation is unique and different people have different needs. Make sure that you find a provider that recognizes this and has a no-minimum policy.
- If my family is already helping, there is no need for additional care. People who are emotionally and physically exhausted or guilt-ridden cannot provide good care. According to the Harvard Medical School Family Health Guide, as a caregiver, you should neither expect-nor try-to be on-call 24 hours a day. Every caregiver needs respite and relief.
- There are added health risks for receiving medical care at home. No qualified care professional will administer a plan of care in the home unless it is deemed safe and medically sound (check with providers you are evaluating to ensure each care plan is overseen by an RN).
- If I can't do my own shopping and housework, I just shouldn't do these activities anymore. Everyday tasks, like vacuuming or rearranging the basement, can be tedious for a senior with arthritis. Organizing a closet can be extremely tiring for a cancer patient. They're never ending and, if they become more difficult during post-op, or due to treatment or age-related conditions, they can take precious time away from an already very busy schedule. When even the most basic daily tasks become overwhelming, or you just need a helping hand, a qualified care provider can help you to.
- Homecare is just for seniors. Home health care is often associated with, but not limited to elder care. Homecare can be a great solution to provide newborn care for new parents with a new baby or even multiples as well as additional support for children and adults enduring chemotherapy, people recovering post-op (from cosmetic procedures to hip replacement surgery) and more. A good home health care solution for your family can be whatever you need it to be.
This concludes the first half of our 10-myth list. Want more? Be sure to tune in to the
final installment! In the meantime, are we missing anything? What misconceptions about homecare have you seen? Share them now!
In case you missed them, or maybe you're not even on Twitter yet, we wanted to re-cap all of @brightstarcare's Tweets for the month of May. We strive to share helpful articles, tools and Websites and hope the following will be of value to you. Enjoy!
Interesting. Do you have this? @Agingabundantly How to Prevent and Recover from Compassion Fatigue http://bit.ly/94y10Z Wednesday, May 26, 2010 9:10:14 AM
We're mobilizing our national team for this year's Alz Association Memory Walk, are you? http://ow.ly/1PO7v Tuesday, May 25, 2010 3:57:39 P
Nashville Homecare Provider Creates Jobs http://ow.ly/1PL90 Tuesday, May 25, 2010 2:16:11 PM
RT @brightfran Keeping People In Their Homes: All In a Day's Work for One Nashville Homecare Provider http://ow.ly/1OhVA Friday, May 21, 2010 2:35:02 PM
Do you know how to prevent a stroke? http://ow.ly/1NOtV Friday, May 21, 2010 1:21:44 PM
10 Steps To a Better Memory http://ow.ly/1NOsM Thursday, May 20, 2010 2:47:51 PM
Man's best friend: Pet therapy makes a difference http://ow.ly/1NdSJ Wednesday, May 19, 2010 12:54:40 PM
Do you put off until tomorrow what you could take care of today? Whatever you do, don't avoid end of life planning: http://ow.ly/1M6KJ Monday, May 17, 2010 3:35:04 PM
In Case You Missed It: 10 Ways Seniors Can Use Skype http://ow.ly/1M6Co Monday, May 17, 2010 12:00:04 PM
RT @eCareDiarySusan Being a care provider can be difficult and isolating. REACH out to other care providers and grow a network of support. Monday, May 17, 2010 11:00:15 AM
Happy Monday, Tweeple! How well do you know yourself and your loved ones? Find out: http://ow.ly/1M2mQ Monday, May 17, 2010 9:42:35 AM
RT @shellyasun Benefits of Good Child Care Extend Into Teen Years http://ow.ly/1L8j2 12:35 PM May 14th
Five for Friday: Easy Ways to Plan For Elder Care http://ow.ly/1L6dp 11:05 AM May 14th
Thx for the RT @DinaDwyerOwens! Happy Friday! 8:53 AM May 14th
Guest author @eCareDiarySusan: Why We Shouldn't Postpone End of Life Planning http://ow.ly/1KFRZ 11:03 AM May 13th
Michael Pollan, author of "Food Rules: pay now [to buy fresh, healthy foods] or pay later [medical bills, bad health, etc.]. Thoughts? 2:20 PM May 10th
Tragic RT @HealthSociety US cancer costs double in nearly 20 years (AP) http://bit.ly/dcPU5z 1:20 PM May 10th
Have you thought about elder care in these terms before? If not, maybe you should: http://ow.ly/1Jb6D 12:06 PM May 10th
Great #FF Tweeple @thehealthfreak @shellyasun @caregiving @CaregiverTweets @ElderCareRN 11:00 AM May 7th
Planning for the future doesn't have to be scary. Start with these 5 easy steps: http://ow.ly/1I9RX 9:00 AM May 7th
Thanks for the RT @DinaDwyerOwens! 8:07 AM May 7th
May flowers, yes, but the April showers also brought some plentiful resources: http://ow.ly/1HLwy 1:00 PM May 6th
Especially interesting are the measures of sustainability for aging populations: http://ow.ly/1HLpI (@ElderCareRN via @thehealthfreak) 12:00 PM May 6th
5 Easy Ways to Plan for Elder Care Today http://ow.ly/1HLd4 10:40 AM May 6th
RT @caregiving More With Dementia Wander From Home (NY Times) - http://nyti.ms/babrVG 4:24 PM May 5th
Did you blink and April was over? Take a stroll down memory lane with a "Twitcap" http://ow.ly/1H0Kk 5:23 PM May 4th
RT @GilbertGuide Nurses say technology can cut lost time http://bit.ly/b8MoIf #seniors #telehealth #mhealth 2:25 PM May 4th
@InsideElderCare 10 Benefits of Culture Change on Skilled Nursing http://ow.ly/1GRFD 12:13 PM May 4th
By John Mills, Co-Founder of
http://www.ecarediary.com
Being a caregiver is an incredibly stressful experience and a recent study by the MetLife Mature Market Institute has some startling conclusions about its impact. The report examined employees serving as caregivers and found that they are more likely to suffer from health problems like diabetes, high blood pressure and depression than their co-workers.
Some of the key findings in the study include:
- Caregivers have health costs which are 8% higher than people who are not caregivers and cost employers $13.4 billion a year.
- Employees serving as caregivers were more likely to report poor health than their co-workers. For example, 17% of female employees ages 50 and older who were caregivers reported fair or poor health compared to 9% of non-caregivers.
- Employed caregivers find it difficult to take care of their own health care needs and are less likely to get preventive care such as mammograms, annual physicals and preventive health screenings.
- Caregivers were more likely to engage in high risk behavior that hurt their health like smoking or excessive alcohol use.
- Absenteeism amongst caregivers is higher. The study found that 10% of caregivers had missed at least one day of work during the previous two weeks.
- Caregivers report feeling more stress at home than non-caregivers.
The report finds that employers have traditionally focused on providing eldercare assistance programs and have largely ignored the health of the caregiver. The report recommends an integrated solution combining eldercare benefits and wellness programs so that caregiver health receives a higher priority. The specific proposals include:
- Combining time off programs (vacation, sick time, personal days) into one Paid Time Off (PTO) benefit that provides more flexibility.
- Providing telecommuting options to help caregivers juggle work and home demands. These programs are in place for many working parents and have been found to increase productivity and worker loyalty.
- Allowing flexible schedules so people can get their work done and also tend to family needs.
- Offering stress reduction seminars and programs to help workers cope with the difficulties of caring for a sick relative or parent.
- Providing decision support systems to make it easier for caregivers to get information and manage care.
- Awarding financial incentives to people who engage in wellness programs and take better care of themselves.
- Establishing legal and financial assistance programs which can help caregivers deal with issues like Medicare, Medicaid and end of life planning.
This report highlights that caregiving does not occur in isolation and impacts all parts of the caregivers life. The study has many excellent suggestions on how to make it easier for caregivers to balance their jobs and the needs of their loved ones. Despite the tough economy, I hope that employers will review these findings and see that it is in their interests to assist employees who are caring for others.
Click here to learn more about the study and to get a copy of it.
A recent article in the Nashville Business Journal tells the story of one Nashville medical staffing provider and his journey to starting his own homecare and healthcare staffing business. BrightStar owner Ron Benkert left his job as a home developer to provide care, from childcare to elder care, to individuals, families and organizations in the Nashville area.
Having observed the bonds many people have with their homes during his 29 year-long career inspired him to get into the business of helping to keep them there: "I felt drawn to people who wanted to be able to stay in their home and still be able to enjoy their home," he said. Read the rest of Ron's story here.
By Susan Baida, Co-founder of
http://www.ecarediary.com/
End of Life planning is very personal, emotional and controversial. When my uncle suffered from a pulmonary embolism that left him in an irreversible coma, my mother was determined to keep him alive in hospice care. He was breathing on his own, but was diagnosed as brain dead. The damage caused by the lack of oxygen flow to his brain was too great. She couldn't bring herself to stop the intravenous feedings which would result in him dying within a few days. So he was kept alive with daily feedings, baths and massages. He lasted this way for 20 months until his death in May 2008.
My uncle did not have advanced directives which are documents such as a living will and healthcare proxy that provide clear direction of a person's wishes should they become incapacitated. He was only 56 years old and didn't think about this type of preparation because he was relatively healthy beforehand.
I think most people are like my uncle and don't think about getting these documents until they are in early stages of a long term disease. My father-in-law is a perfect example.
When my father-in-law was first diagnosed with Parkinson's disease at age 77, it appears he began immediate preparations with his lawyer. After having the documents drafted and signed, he told my husband, John, about them and where they could be found. While John did not want to think about end of life care for his father, he was both surprised and impressed by his father's level of preparation and detail. His healthcare proxy identified John as having power of attorney should he become incapacitated. His living will stated explicitly that he did not wish to be kept alive if the medical diagnosis indicated no hope for his full recovery.
On July 24, 2007, my father-in-law, at age 83, suffered from a stroke that left him in a comatosed state. He was able to breath on his own but needed a feeding tube to get nutrition. The doctors conducted various exams. We learned that he not only suffered from a stroke but that he had advanced cancer which had not previously been diagnosed. The doctors gave the family the diagnosis that his conditions were irreversible and that he would pass away within 6-8 weeks if maintained on life preserving devices.
John and the family had little choice but to honor my father-in-law's wishes as outlined in his advanced directives. One day later, he was taken to a hospice where he was kept "comfortable" with pain medication and warm blankets. Three days later, he passed away peacefully and with dignity surrounded by his family.
Both my uncle's and my father-in-law's deaths were incredibly tragic and painful to witness. However, I think the decision-making process was made easier on John's family because my father-in-law documented his wishes which relieved them from the burden of these difficult end-of-life decisions.
The lesson learned here is to prepare for end-of-life care with advanced directives. I don't think it is ever too early because, with the unpredictability of life, we can become incapacitated at any age. In fact, my husband and I, despite being in our 40s, have completed advanced directives in case something should happen to us and we become incapacitated and unable to execute our wishes.
Visit eCareDiary's Legal Documents page to learn more about advanced directives.
If you go to any of our locations and ask them to share client stories, they will undoubtedly have many, different tales to tell. But there may be a few similarities across the board. One thing that never changes is that those who come to us for home care, whether it's basic respite care and sitter services or highly skilled nursing care and physical therapy, didn't plan for it. People don't typically think about these types of considerations for the future and, even if they do, often times, it's not in much detail.
But one thing that is certain is that, no matter who you are, as soon as you're born, you are aging. And once we or our loved ones get to an age when additional assistance may be needed, it's good to have at least thought through a few things. That's why we've come up with five ways families can start thinking about the future (without having an anxiety attack) by engaging in some self-reflection that can help your decision-making later in life. Go through these considerations yourself and then pass them along to a loved one:
- When you need help, do you prefer to solve problems yourself or do you like working in a team? Do you know know your limits and when to ask for help? Do you enjoy making new friends? Are you a social butterfly, or more of an introvert? Be sure to consider these things, as they may help your family to determine a living arrangement everyone can feel good about down the road.
- First, think about what you value most in the people you work with: work ethic? A team player? Do you like to be left alone? Now, think about what you value most in the people you spend recreational time with: humor? A good cook? Someone who calls often, or not at all? Are they spiritual? One day when you or a loved one needs a caregiver, compatibility will be imperative, so it's important to identify characteristics you like and others not so much.
- What are your strengths and weaknesses? Think both physically and mentally. For example, are you a worrier? Try to establish a fitness routine to manage your stress that you can adapt as you age. Another example: if you're 35 and your eyesight is already poor, consider your needs down the road if it progressively worsens. Or maybe you've got an existing medical condition that you manage - talk to your doctor about ways to manage it as you age.
- Where do your close family and friends reside? Are they far away or right next door, and do you see that changing in the future? How important is it to you that you are within driving distance to those who mean the most? Do you have a career that requires that you or your partner/spouse to remain in a certain geographic area? Be realistic with yourself about what is most important to you.
- And finally, what do you enjoy doing? What gives your life meaning and purpose? Exercise? Cooking? Going to the movies? Gardening? Sports? Fishing? Whatever it is, hold on to these things, and make sure that, no matter where you are in life or whatever your abilities are, you are able to keep them up as long as you can. Even if you need assistance someday, be sure to find a provider that will help you to see this through.
Being prepared doesn't need to be a daunting task, but rather a journey of truly understanding yourself and your loved ones so as to make the best, most educated decisions possible.
And for those who are already facing the challenge of finding homecare for a loved one, we've got you covered. We've developed a free Homecare Prep Kit to provide additional guidance and empower families with helpful, tactical tips. Click here for the free kit!
In case you missed them, or maybe you're not even on Twitter yet, we wanted to re-cap all of @brightstarcare's Tweets for the month of April. We strive to share helpful articles, tools and Websites and hope the following will be of value to you. Enjoy!
Happy Friday! #FF @InsideElderCare @eCareDiaryJohn @shellyasun @nytimeshealth 11:00 AM Apr 30th
Caregivers, have you used an iPad yet? If so, what do you think? Could it be the clipboard of the future? Weigh in now! 9:53 AM Apr 30th
Care and Teamwork http://ow.ly/1Ff9y 9:16 AM Apr 30th
Elder Abuse and Health Reform: http://ow.ly/1DdVP 2:45 PM Apr 26th
Smile: This will surely make your tail wag! http://ow.ly/1DdTO 2:10 PM Apr 26th
http://ow.ly/1DdJy @InsideElderCare provides great tips on selecting a caregiver. Caregiver compatibility is imperative: http://ow.ly/1DdO0 12:35 PM Apr 26th
Warning: Stroke http://ow.ly/1DdIc 11:05 AM Apr 26th
One Memphis Homecare Team's Story http://ow.ly/1DdGE 9:53 AM Apr 26th
Memphis Homecare Providers Take Team Approach http://ow.ly/1BhC7 8:50 AM Apr 21st
If you can't prevent a stroke, can you at least identify one? http://ow.ly/1ANsz 9:00 AM Apr 20th
@pamelamarie8 not to our knowledge! But feel free to check them out at brightstarcare.com/find-a-location/az 8:59 AM Apr 20th
Do you know the signs of a stroke? http://ow.ly/1yxFq 2:15 PM Apr 14th
Thanks for the RT @DinaDwyerOwens! Isn't Henry adorable? Pets can be wonderful. http://ow.ly/1y4FV 1:10 PM Apr 14th
Interesting, we live in a culture that resists aging. What do you think? RT @GuyKawasaki Can a restricted diet slow aging? http://u.nu/97ib8 12:00 PM Apr 14th
Have you experienced the healing power of pet therapy? Share your story: http://ow.ly/1y4FV 2:59 PM Apr 13th
RT @GuyKawasaki Why eating your veggies may not be enough http://ow.ly/1y2D5 1:05 PM Apr 13th
Thanks for the RT @allseniorhomes! 12:55 PM Apr 13th
@eCareDiaryJohn Weighs In: What Health Reform Has In Store for Caregivers http://ow.ly/1xqvT 12:15 PM Apr 12th
It's tough being a parent: http://ow.ly/1xrJv How can parents work through and rise above all the noise? 9:09 AM Apr 12th
Pets and Healthcare: Read the touching story of Maple Grove's Henry http://ow.ly/1xpws 8:03 AM Apr 12th
How Healthcare Reform Impacts Caregivers http://ow.ly/1vfKK 9:30 AM Apr 8th
Maple Grove Homecare Provider Adds Therapy Dog to the Team http://ow.ly/1vfz8 11:40 AM Apr 6th
"Home Sweet Home" and keeping it that way http://ow.ly/1u51Y 7:00 AM Apr 6th
Sandwich Generation: Far From Appetizing http://ow.ly/1u4ZO 10:00 AM Apr 5th
Don't wait for a terminal diagnosis! It's never too early to find your passions and follow them http://ow.ly/1u4XP 7:00 AM Apr 5th
Always be prepared with these easy steps: http://ow.ly/1u4Vt 1:00 PM Apr 2nd
March was a great month! Check out the month in Tweets and see for yourself: http://ow.ly/1u4Rl 12:00 PM Apr 2nd
#FF @BoomerHealth @AgingTechnology @InsideElderCare @shellyasun @HealthSociety 10:00 AM Apr 2nd
Thx! RT @BoomerHealth Nature's Rx: Phytonutrients in broccoli, bok choy, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower & cabbage fight carcinogens. #cancer 9:00 AM Apr 2nd
What are other believed causes of autism? Is it helpful that the issue is gaining so much attention? http://ow.ly/1u1OB Weigh in! 7:00 AM Apr 2nd
Thanks for the RT @Navywife67! 6:10 AM Apr 2nd
What will emerging technology like this mean for caregiving? Thoughts? RT @AgingTechnology Check out LifeLedger -- http://ow.ly/1tLLT 12:30 PM Apr 1st
Thanks for the RT @DinaDwyerOwens! Many can truly benefit from staying home. 11:37 AM Apr 1st