Caregiver Training Blog

Nearly 800,000 Americans have strokes every year, according to the Internet Stroke Center. Of these, more than 140,000 people die annually. In fact, stroke is the top cause of long-term disability in the U.S., and the third leading cause of death. While these numbers can be frightening, there's hope: the more quickly treatment occurs, the lower the risk of serious, long-term injury. This caregiver training information is valuable information for recognizing the signs of a stroke and understanding the need to act quickly to minimize damage. 

Educating yourself about stroke symptoms can lead to a brighter future for stroke victims. Scroll down for free helpful videos you can view today. 

What is a Stroke?

A stroke occurs when the blood supply to the brain is suddenly interrupted. The majority of strokes are ischemic, which means they are caused by an abrupt arterial blockage. Hemorrhagic strokes, meanwhile, occur when a blood vessel bursts causing bleeding in the brain. 

The effects of a stroke vary depending on the location and severity of the injury, and damage may be either temporary or permanent. 

Warning Signs

Vigilant caregivers can help promote optimal outcomes by quickly identifying symptoms in order to hasten treatment. Warning signs include: 

As a caregiver have you ever felt "sandwiched" right in the middle between having to care for your children and a spouse as well as caring for your elderly parents?   Generally known as the "Sandwich Generation," this growing population is estimated to be affecting one in eight Americans between the ages of 40 and 60 according to a Pew Center study. This same study found that one-in-seven middle-aged adults (15%) are providing financial support to both an aging parent and a child. For many baby boomers caring for grandchildren is a further extension of this sandwich generation phenomenon, which may curtail retirement plans and place extra burdens on their finances. The bottom line is that most caregivers are caught in the middle when it comes to caring for others

It had to be the coldest day of the year, but there she came with her head wrapped snuggly with a beautiful brightly colored scarf, her long woolen coat that hung loosely over her severely curved back but with a look of sheer determination as she walked through the door of the chapel. I greeted the 90 year old at the door and asked if I could help her. Her old, but kind eyes looked up at me as if to say "don't you know?" I had forgotten it was the first Friday of the month and she had come to light her candles - after all that was what her mother had taught her and she never forgot .It was a tradition that had been passed down to her.

Being careful not to be obtrusive, yet feeling a need to assure her safety, I stayed quietly in the background giving her some time and space for prayer. As I watched her carefully light each candle, I was very moved by the beauty and grace of this woman as she knelt reverently in prayer. Even from my safe distance I could hear her heart-felt words - not asking for anything - but rather a sincere prayer of thanks for the many blessings she had received. It was not just a prayer, but the ease and comfort with which she spoke; she was having a conversation with a good friend.

The responsibilities of caring for aging parents are numerous. Having siblings to help with the day-to-day tasks can be helpful as it offers an extra set of hands, divided responsibilities as well as a close family member to talk with. This can be a blessing for many - but for others, the challenges of shared eldercare can far outweigh the benefits.

Shared Eldercare Challenges 
For many adult siblings, the childhood differences that we assumed were long gone seem to resurface in light of this new role as caregiver. 

Anyone who provides long-term assistance to a loved one is considered a caregiver. It could be an ill spouse, child or an aging relative, or a friend. For many, this role of caregiver happens gradually and many do not even identify themselves as caregivers. Are you are assisting someone on a regular basis with their daily aspects of living such as bathing, dressing, managing medications, assistance with doctors appointments, household chores, meals, etc.?  Then yes - you are a caregiver. Perhaps you started caring for someone by just checking in on them occasionally, then you realized they needed assistance with meals, and maybe a subsequent illness or a fall meant an increased need for care. Caregiving can be a very rewarding experience and give you much-needed peace of mind knowing that your loved one is receiving the greatest of care. But with that said caregiving is not always easy.

We can more easily find information or support for primary caregivers who live with or provide daily or weekly care for an aging parent spouse or other older adult, but that’s not necessarily the same for the long distance caregiver. Today’s families are often scattered throughout the country and even the world making it much more difficult when parents become ill and in need of care. Therefore, the once a month or perhaps the Thanksgiving or Christmas visit becomes an even more crucial time to get a clear picture of what the immediate needs are and to try to anticipate and prepare for the inevitability of changes ahead. Perhaps with little time to take care of the most necessary details, your visit may become consumed with duties leaving little time to delight in the quality conversations and reminiscing that is so essential to your family. Unfortunately that is so often the case for distant caregivers who are separated by miles but with their thoughts and hearts still so in need of connecting.

Winter is quickly approaching and if you are a caregiver of an elderly person you are probably concerned about their well-being. As a responsible caregiver, you want to make sure you are taking the necessary precautions to make the wintertime comfortable, warm, relaxing, and safe for the seniors. There are things that you can do to make sure you are providing proper eldercare for your loved one. 

Winterize the Seniors Room/Home

If you are caring for a senior at their home or yours it is important to make sure the home is winterized. Check for cool air coming through cracks or windows. Check the heating system to make sure it is working properly. Stack warm blankets and clothing close at hand. Seniors are at great risk for hypothermia, depression, and falls during the winter months.

The holidays are a time of homecoming when we gather with family and share good food, good times and good conversations, but for people who don't live near their parents, going home for the holidays can also provide time to assess how elderly parents are doing at home.

Your parents may be fine, but when people get older, it can be easy to miss signs of poor health, memory problems and other issues that should be addressed before things worsen. Make your holiday visit as special as ever, but keep an open mind and a watchful eye.

Pay Attention

All people, especially ones living with disabilities, benefit from long-term care and support programs. Programs that provide medical care, support services like personal home care aides, and more contribute to overall well-being.

In a study by AARP, it shows the Americans lack a national solution for adequate home and community-based long-term care services. We depend on the state governments to fulfill the need. But few of states are prepared to handle the upcoming surge of older adults.

The study driven by AARP is called Long-Term Care Services and Support Scorecard, and it’s funded by the Commonwealth Fund and the SCAN Foundation.