Caring for the caregiver

08/11/2019

As a loved one ages, family members often have to step up to care for them. Unprepared for the reality of caregiving, these new caregivers can face a rude awakening. They might think their duties can easily fit into their own work-life schedule. They might assume that nothing unexpected will happen or that burden of caregiving will not increase over time. Unfortunately, they're often wrong.

1. CAREGIVING IS DIFFICULT
New family caregivers an be surprised by the difficulty of caring for an aging or infirmed loved one. It is hard work and can be much more demanding than expected. This is especially true when they are already juggling other family and work responsibilities.

2. FAMILY DYNAMICS
One surprise awaiting a new caregiver is to discover that not all members of the family will be open to assisting in caregiving. As a caregiver, be sensitive to the fact that other members of the family might not have the same approach and willingness to help that you do.

3.THE BURDEN CAN GROW
As time oases, the caregiver may find themselves under ever-increasing demands. As loved ones face deteriorating conditions from disease, age, and injuries, it can make the family caregiving challenge even harder.

4. SOMETIMES ONE PERSON ISN'T ENOUGH
The challenge of family caregiving may well become one that individual caregivers simply are not equipped to effectively manage. This is often not do to a lack of willingness on the part of the family caregiver but more due to lack of medical knowledge, difficulty in keeping employment, and facing family demands.

Family caregivers should always remember that they are not alone. There are a host of great community help available and support you need.

23/08/2019

who is looking for a place to join a great team?
look NO more..... this is the place if you are in or near POCATELLO.

**ATTENTION**

If you are caring, compassionate, reliable, professional and enjoy helping people....Please apply.

If you would like to work for a company that is ranked in the TOP 10 Places to Work in Idaho in 2019 (5th year in a row, to be exact) and is growing rapidly....Please apply.

If you have reliable transportation, current car insurance and registration, can/have passed a background check, and have a high school diploma....Please apply.

If you are a C.N.A. or have previous caregiving experience....Please apply.

If you would like to know more about the benefits that we offer to our employees (Sick, Vacation, Retirement Savings, Health Plans)....Please apply.

If you can answer YES to all of the above...Please apply.

Send your resume' to CareConnectionOfIdaho@gmail.com.

23/08/2019

To ALL my fellow caregivers...…. Please give yourself a "time out" at least once a week to free up your mind and allow some quit time, music time, sports time, nature time or whatever YOU choose for your time.

28/06/2019

07/06/2019

Pocatello area

Did you know that the Area V Agency on Aging offers a caregiver support group?

03/06/2019

10 daily apps to help caregivers take care of their loved ones

Being a caregiver for a family member or career can be as taxing as it is rewarding, and the role often goes underappreciated. While a support network of family and friends/ co workers is crucial, apps can help alleviate some of the stresses that come with caregiving.

From helping to keep track of appointments to assisting in health emergencies, apps are tackling all areas of caregiving.
Here are 10 notable apps that can help support caregivers every day.

1. AARP CAREGIVING
This app allows users to monitor symptoms, coordinate care with other family or caregivers, and keep track of appointments and medication. It also features a help center, where caregivers can find answers to urgent or commonly asked questions.

2. CAREZONE
Dubbed a "health info organizer," Carezone helps caregivers keep track of medical information by organizing medication, allergies, insurance cards and ID cards all in one place.

3.ALZHEIMERS CAREGIVER BUDDY
Helps caregivers manage their personal stress, navigate family conflict an reach a 24/7 helpline. It also covers how to cope with new and sometimes overwhelming behavior, like aggression or hallucinations.

4.CARE.COM
Need a helping hand? This app helps you find temporary, qualified care for your loved ones. Caregivers can even book interviews and facilitate payment through the app, making hiring a professional easy when needed.

5. ELDER 411
From safety in the home to communication tips, this app makes caregiving easier to navigate by starting with the basics. It even includes tips on how to manage stress as a caregiver.

6.FIRST AID BY AMERICAN RED CROSS
with so much to remember as a caregiver, its helpful to have a reminder of the basics--and that includes first aid and CPR instructions to help in the event of an emergency.

7.IPHARMACY PRO
People living with health challenges are sometimes prescribed numerous medications to help ease and manage symptoms. But keeping track of everything that comes with that can get difficult. This app helps caregivers easily identify medications, check for any potential drug interactions, and track prescriptions.

8.CARINGBRIDGE
Communication is critical when dividing caregiving duties among multiple people--and that is where caringbridge connects several caregivers through one app, allowing people to keep track of appointments changes in health and other essential information.

9.SYMPLE
Symple features an interactive graph and spreadsheet that a caregiver can use independently or send to a Doctor for evaluations.

10.PACIFICA
Caregivers have to navigate a lot of responsibility, which studies say sometimes leads to an increased risk of depression, stress and other health problems. This app is for the caregiver.

20/05/2019

Thank you, all!

16/05/2019

Habits of Exceptionally Happy Caregivers.

Happy Caregivers Care for Themselves.

The American Medical Association describes the role of a caregiver as a potential “occupational hazard.”

Caregivers face incredible stress and are at risk of psychological and physical problems. Side effects of caregiving include general burnout, self-neglect, depression, family conflicts and more. Well-rested, happy caregivers are crucial to the job. But the job is exhausting. So caregivers must balance caring for someone else and caring for themselves. Otherwise, they can burn out and even develop serious health problems.

Caregivers instinctively put a senior’s comfort and happiness above their own. But both are equally important. If caregivers sacrifice their own happiness for the sake of their job, they won’t be any good to the seniors they serve. Nurture your mind and body. Caregivers must replenish themselves physically and mentally.

Keep an eye on your health. According to Nurture Your Soul™, 70% of caregivers become sick with some type of health issue. And 50% of caregivers die before the person to whom they’re providing care.

Find support. Take time each week to vent to friends or family members. It’s healthy. Some caregivers might even consider seeing a counselor they can rely on to help sort out frustrations.

Eat healthy. A nutritious diet keeps energy levels up and health risks at bay. Seniors need to eat healthy too. So caregivers might think of preparing low-fat meals and snacks that incorporate a variety of fruits and vegetables, and enjoying them with the senior, as a part of the job. To save time, they can ask friends or family members for help with meals as needed.

Exercise. Staying active physically helps reduce stress and improve mood. It’s the ideal way to ward off health issues and diseases that can put a caregiver’s job at risk.
Meditate. Consider activities that help you relax mentally. Yoga, meditation, deep breathing and music are just some of the ways to help a caregiver slow down and put things into perspective.

Set personal goals. A class, a new hobby, a vacation, whatever the dream, caregivers should set and write down personal goals that remind them of what they want to achieve outside of their job.

Keep a journal. Writing down frustrations is a good way to let them go. A journal is also a good place to record what went well for the day. Those words can serve as inspiration the next morning.

Be grateful. Caring for a senior brings challenges and stress but also the opportunity to make someone else’s life easier and more enjoyable. It could be a last chance to spend time with a loved one who’s near the end.

Take a day off. Friends and family members (or part-time elder companions) should fill in for caregivers on a regular basis. That way they can focus on themselves and their goals. This time is for caregivers to do what they like to do, not to run errands for their job.

Happy caregivers practice good habits in self-care. And they see the benefits when it comes to caring for others, So do the seniors they care for each day.

What habits do you recommend to help caregivers stay happy?

14/05/2019

Happy National decency day!!!!

Caregivers are some of the most decent humans out there.

09/05/2019

When was the last time you actually did something for YOU?!?!

02/05/2019

Happy Thursday Caregivers!!! You all Rock!!!

18/04/2019

This is awesome, wish Care Connection of Idaho the best.

16/04/2019

National Healthcare Decisions Day (NHDD) exists to inspire, educate and empower the public and providers about the importance of advance care planning. NHDD is an initiative to encourage patients to express their wishes regarding healthcare and for providers and facilities to respect those wishes, whatever they may be.

If you are interested and need help please contact me and I would be more than happy to help you and your loved ones make a plan today!

16/04/2019

😝

12/04/2019

Feel GOOD friday!

10/04/2019

Happy caregivers equals happy clients.

Authenticity build the best caregiver / client relationship. A smile. The authenticity you need to be real, you need to be yourself. You are trained for the professional aspect of the care, but giving yourself to somebody is something that comes from the heart. I think caregivers should be those who are called to do it, not just those who are going for Financial aspect.
If you go to help somebody you should know how to help. You should not go and cause harm because if you are not professionally efficient, then you can cause more harm. Not making the bed, or talking on the phone, but the CLIENT - their skin integrity, their well-being, their environment, their happiness and health, you can and do make an incredible difference in someone's life, when you're adequate is on point.

There are some Basics that if as a caregiver you follow, you are more than likely going to always be the first choice, of both your clients, and your agency!

1. Always... I mean always... We're clean scrubs, never wrinkled, never mismatched, fitting properly. Scrubs for a caregiver are a badge of honor, they say: I am part of the nursing profession, although my job may not seem Medical in nature, it is vital to someone's well-being and life and I CARE.

2. Always address your client as Mr. or Mrs. it is a sign of respect, so they are not a ma'am or Mom, or Dad- they are not your parents or grandparents, they are someone's however, and you do not take their place.

3. Respect the home, do not go raffling through drawers or cabinets unless you are putting away clothes and dishes.

4. Always ask, " would you like eggs?" Goes over better then " eat your breakfast" I made eggs, what if they don't like them? Would you like to get up now goes over better than " rise and shine" I am here!! Also ask the children and or agency what the desired plan of cares are.. Do not assume!

5. Always watch your client, don't sit while they Wonder around, your job is companion, safety guard, private caregiver, not "vacation buddy"
" family friend" or "Banker". clients and their families depend on you to keep them safe.

If the client didn't need a little more help in their homes... You wouldn't be there, and you need to always remember they are your number ONE PRIORITY.

Those are just a few things that will help you in your career, stay tuned, I will add more as time goes by, but if you are currently looking for an agency that covers all of this and more, please contact us and we would be happy to direct you in the right way.

Caregivers make a difference!

Have a great day!

Solutions for change

Photo credit: a wonderful caregiver putting happiness and smiles in her clients life's!

08/04/2019