Caregiver Training Blog

Although caregivers play an increasingly vital role in society while making momentous contribution to the lives of the ones they serve, they are often overlooked -- particularly when it comes to acknowledging and managing their own needs and wellbeing. This is what makes the Powerful Tools for Caregivers (PTC) program so special. Having reached over 80,000 caregivers in 36 states since its inception 12 years ago, this program offers invaluable assistance to this largely overworked and underserved segment of the population.

Caregiving is a challenge, but there are ways to cope, connect, and thrive in the role.

Wandering and elopement are common yet problematic behaviors among seniors with dementia and Alzheimer's disease. In fact, more than 34,000 patients with Alzheimer's wander out of their homes annually; in institutionalized settings, it is estimated that as many as 24 percent of patients wander. Unfortunately, as the population continues to age, incidences of wandering and elopement are also increasing. Let's take a closer look at this issue, along with coping and prevention methods. 

If your loved one suffers from dementia, wandering may be a threat.

Prescription plus OTC meds can add up to a dangerous equation.

Visiting someone with dementia can be overwhelming when it comes to expectations -- particularly if you're unfamiliar with the disease and its progression. Let's take a closer look at some tips and techniques designed to ensure that both you and your aging loved one get the most out of visits.
1. Keep it Short

The phrase "short and sweet" absolutely applies when it comes to visiting someone with dementia. Limit your visit to no more than an hour, particularly if you're spending time with someone who tires easily. And remember, quality of time is much more important than quantity of time.

Cardiologists. Neurologists. Gastroenterologists. Ophthalmologists. Urologists. As a caregiver of an older adult, you are probably struggling to juggle the long list of healthcare providers your loved one is seeing in addition to a primary care physician. But is it time to add one more to the list? Let's take a closer look at the role of geriatricians, and whether one might be a valuable addition to your aging loved one's healthcare team.

A geriatrician is trained to meet his/her specific needs.

While many people assume that seniors stop having sex after a certain age, this couldn't be further from the truth. In fact, 61 percent of men and 37 percent of women over the age of 60 are sexually active, according to a study by the National Institute on Aging. While the topic may seem awkward, caregivers can play an important role in ensuring that seniors are maintaining safe, healthy sexual relationships. Here's what you need to know.

The risk of severe eye issues increases significantly after the age of 65, according to a special report on aging and vision loss from the American Foundation for the Blind. Glaucoma, along with age-related macular degeneration, cataracts, and diabetic retinopathy, earns a spot among the four leading eye diseases. Let's take a closer look at this common condition, along with what seniors and their caregivers can do to promote optimal vision and quality of life.

About Glaucoma and Aging Eyes

Glaucoma comprises a group of diseases that cause vision loss by damaging the eye's optic nerve. There's no single type of glaucoma, although many forms -- including the most common types, primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) and angle-closure glaucoma (ACG) -- involve a problem with the eye's drainage system in which fluid drains too slowly leading to buildup, pressure, and eventual damage to the optic nerve and surrounding parts of the eye. If left untreated, loss of vision can occur.

A third of all older adults fall every year, but less than half of seniors discuss fall-related concerns with healthcare providers, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This is particularly troubling considering that falls are the leading cause of both fatal and nonfatal injuries in seniors. Read on to learn more about falls and older adults, along with preventative measures caregivers can take to ensure the ongoing health and safety of the seniors in their care.

A Closer Look at Falls and Seniors

Millions of older Americans fall every year. Just how severe is the problem? The CDC determined that in 2013 alone, U.S. emergency rooms treated 2.5 million nonfatal senior falls resulting in 734,000 hospitalizations. Common fall-related injuries include lacerations, hip fractures and head traumas. Unfortunately, these injuries can not only detrimentally impact your aging loved one's mobility and independence, but can also increase the risk of premature death.

In addition to injuries from falls, seniors also suffer from another troubling phenomenon: fear of falling. Even seniors who survive falls with no injury can develop a fear of falling, leading to limited activities and loss of strength and flexibility. Unfortunately, this becomes a vicious cycle: the corresponding decrease in physical fitness may actually increase the risk of actual falls.

More than half of Americans have had a cataract or cataract surgery by the age of 80, according to the National Eye Institute (NEI). However, just because cataracts are common among the elderly doesn't mean seniors have to live with poor vision and declines in quality of life. Here's what seniors and caregivers of seniors need to know to manage cataracts and promote optimal eye health.

Blurred vision? Cataracts may be the cause.

As many as a third of caregivers not only experience high levels of stress, but also report having less time to spend with friends and loved ones. These factors don't just affect your quality of life, they can also affect your quantity of life: research links chronic caregiver stress with a shortened mortality rate of up to eight years! Unfortunately, many caregivers suffer unnecessarily because they are unaware of programs and services available to help them, including respite care. Let's take a closer look at this valuable service designed to help families cope with the demands of caregiving.

Simply put, respite care offers temporary relief for caregivers. Available for a few hours on a one-time basis or for regular extended sessions -- even overnight -- respite care offers caregivers the important opportunity to take a break and tend to their own needs, as well as the needs of other family members.

Respite care serves a very different need than hospice. While hospice is focused on a dying person's needs, respite directly serves caregivers.