Caregiver Training Blog

Up to 11 million people in this country have some form of age-related macular degeneration, and that number is expected to double by the year 2050, according to the BrightFocus Foundation. Because age is a major risk factor for this chronic disease, it's particularly important for elder caregivers to understand this leading cause of irreversible vision loss for people over the age of 60. Here's what you need to know.

What is Age-Related Macular Degeneration?

Age-related macular degeneration is the breakdown of the central area of the retina, also known as the "macula." While this condition is not painful, it can lead to to irreversible vision loss, including the inability to see fine details, compromising "straight ahead" functions, including everything from driving to recognizing faces.  Read More

While most people anxiously await the arrival of warm summer days, the arrival of hot weather, burning sun, and other seasonal factors present numerous health challenges to seniors. Keep these eight important things in mind when helping your aging loved one beat the heat this summer.

1. Hydrate, Hydrate, Hydrate
Being proactive about keeping seniors hydrated is especially important -- particularly considering that a full third of seniors in long-term care facilities experience dehydration. Dehydration in the elderly can quickly become a serious issue. When older adults become dehydrated, they may experience muscle cramps, disorientation, confusion, and many other threatening healthcare conditions. If they are severely dehydrated, they may go into shock which can be life-threatening.  If your loved one is non-verbal, he/she may be unable to communicate feelings of thirst. Not only that but the issue is compounded by the fact that feelings of thirst decline with age.

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Many caregivers don't know how their aging loved ones would want their healthcare matters handled in the event that they were unable to directly communicate their wishes for themselves. While the subject is difficult, it's a worthwhile topic to consider: waiting for a crisis to occur can lead to regrettable as opposed to informed decisions. Let's take a closer look at how caregivers can initiate the conversation with aging loved ones, as well as other critical end-of-life information.

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As a caregiver, you may be caring for someone who is unable to recall what he had for lunch earlier today, yet they may well be able to recount events from long ago. Not only is the act of reminiscing a valuable part of adding to your collection of cherished family stories, but it can also help you strengthen your connection while keeping your loved one's mind active. Here are five simple ways for caregivers and those they are caring for to take a walk down memory lane.

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All caregivers have heard this advice at one point or another: "Make sure to take care of yourself." Unfortunately, this is easier said than done. While you can't snap your fingers and make stress disappear, you can utilize certain techniques and resources to manage stress, lower anxiety, and ultimately improve quality of life for both you and your loved one. 

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Whether you've always shared a challenging relationship or his or her personality has changed with age, dealing with a difficult parent can make caregiving incredibly hard. While you can't change them, you aren't powerless in this situation. Instead, consider these six tips to help you provide the best care in the most comfortable setting for your difficult parent. Caring for difficult parents is not easy - but knowledge and understanding can help.

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“Caregiving is universal. There are only four kinds of people in the world: 
those who have been caregivers, those who currently are caregivers, those who will be caregivers,
and those who will need caregivers.”  Rosalyn Carter

Becoming a caregiver to another person is not only labor and time-intensive but it also comes with a significant amount of responsibility. Are you caring for a family member? Are you a professional caregiver caring for someone on a daily basis? Or, are you just a loyal and trusted friend who has taken on the responsibility of caring for someone in need? Regardless of who you are caring for and your own personal caregiving circumstances, it is essential to care for the caregiver while caring for another person. Caring for yourself could simply mean accepting help from others or taking time for yourself away from your caregiver responsibilities.  

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While caring for a loved one offers a unique sense of fulfillment, it also comes with many responsibilities. According to "Stress in America: Our Health at Risk," a study from the American Psychological Association, more than half of all caregivers feel overwhelmed. Not only that, but they are far more likely to feel stress -- and its consequences -- than those who are not caring for someone. Read on to learn what you need to know about caregiver stress and how you can combat it in your own life.

Caregiving offers fulfillment, but it's also hard work.

The Facts on Stress and Caregiving
Do you lay awake at night? Binge eat or miss meals? Skip routine doctor check-ups? If so, you're not alone. Unfortunately, these behaviors are common in caregivers and can lead to long-term consequences.

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While caregiving is incredibly rewarding, it comes with a distinct set of psychological, emotional, and intellectual challenges. From dealing with the grief of losing a patient or watching your loved one decline, to ensuring meticulous oversight of medications, caregiving is challenging and can take its toll on both professional and family caregivers. Fortunately, there are a plethora of resources available to guide, educate and offfer help for caregivers. Here's a list of the top four resources available that can help you to succeed in your role as a caregiver.

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For many caregivers, the time eventually comes when professional help is needed. Perhaps for just some much-needed respite for the primary caregiver or maybe full-time professional help is needed daily. Regardless of the circumstances, many people are immobilized by the process. How do you choose? What do I need in a private duty caregiver?  There's no one-size-fits-all solution for your individual needs and circumstances; rather, a variety of factors go into identifying a professional caregiver and/or in-home caregiving agency. However, understanding the traits, characteristics, and habits of the most successful caregivers can help you find a caregiver sure to make a significant contribution. Let's take a closer look at six beneficial caregiver traits of a good private duty caregiver.

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