Caregivers of Older Adults Blog | Caregiver Info (2)

Lewy body dementia (LBD) is one of the most common forms of dementia. However, it is frequently misdiagnosed as more commonly known illnesses, such as Alzheimer's disease or schizophrenia.

Caring for someone with dementia can be scary, confusing, and overwhelming. If you feel like you’re in the dark, you’re not alone.

Below, we take a closer look at the symptoms of LBD and unpack what caregivers should know about this complex disease.

We often talk about the emotional difficulties of being a family caregiver, but there are plenty of physical challenges too. One of the questions that comes up most often is how to change the sheets when your aging or sick loved one can't be moved from the bed.

Changing sheets regularly is important for the health and hygiene of your loved one. It’s a critical step toward preventing infections and bedsores. Refreshing an occupied bed isn’t easy, but it’s certainly possible.

Let's break down the nine steps involved in resetting a bed while a person is still in it.

When you're a family caregiver, stress can feel like a part of daily life. Most caregivers know that exercising, eating right, and spending time with friends can help keep burnout at bay. But there's another form of self‑care that perhaps you haven't tried—one that research shows can literally train your brain to calmly react to stressful situations.

We're talking about meditation.

Self‑care keeps your body and mind in peak condition. But it's hard to find time for self‑care when you spend your days caring for someone else. Perhaps you're parenting young children while also caring for aging parents. Maybe you're a caregiver for your spouse or an elderly friend or family member. Your caregiving role could be all the more challenging if your loved one has dementia. 

Being a family caregiver can be stressful. Mental burnout will occur quickly if you don’t stay on top of self‑care. Start by making small, wellness‑focused changes to your life. You’ll soon experience the benefits. Many aspects of self‑care seem obvious, like getting enough sleep, taking time to relax, eating a healthy diet, and getting regular exercise. Unfortunately, though these activities have proven benefits for mental health, they're often overlooked. 

Caregivers are often the first to notice when a senior’s mood or behavior seems “off.” If the senior in your care seems unusually irritable or less interested in previously enjoyable activities, take note. Consistent mood changes, trouble sleeping, and even a decline in personal hygiene are potential signs of depression, which could mean it’s time to seek outside help.

As seniors age, maintaining an active lifestyle often becomes a challenge. But exercise and physical health are important for everyone, regardless of age. Caregivers can help seniors stay active and fit by suggesting fitness routines that utilize gentle movements. One such activity is yoga, a mind and body practice that focuses on posture and breathing techniques.

As seniors spend more time at home or grow sentimental about objects from days gone by, many struggle with a cluttered home. But clutter isn’t just an eyesore. It can quickly turn to hoarding behavior, compulsively saving items with no real value.

Few people would say that the aging process is easy, but there are ways to help make things easier. Many seniors struggle with mobility issues that can interfere with routine daily activities and lead to declines in independence and quality of life. Assistive devices offer a valuable "helping hand" not only for aging seniors but also for their caregivers. To help in caring for a senior at home, we look at how assistive devices can improve mobility, as well as communication, care and hygiene, and dexterity.

Have you ever seen a caregiver effortlessly transfer someone to or from a wheelchair? While it may seem like they just have the magic touch or some sort of superpower, it's more likely that they've simply learned the techniques that make safe wheelchair transfer a routine task.

Anyone can learn these techniques. Just read below and watch the accompanying videos for basic information and pro-tips on how to safely transfer someone to and from a wheelchair. 

While peri-care can initially be intimidating, it is a very important part of the private caregiver/patient relationship. Let's take a closer look at the importance of perineal care, as well as how to perform this critical duty to ensure the ongoing health of your loved one.