Caregiver Tool Kit: Packing a Day Bag for Your Aging Loved One in Paradise Valley, AZ

As a home care provider for an aging loved one you probably already know that being prepared makes a major difference in how well you are able to provide care for your loved one. Making sure that you have everything that your loved one may need will give you both peace of mind, particularly if you plan on being away from the home.

Consider the following items when packing a caregiver day bag:

  • Any prescription medications that your loved one takes along with copies of the prescriptions. Make sure the medications are in the official prescription bottles
  • Any over-the-counter medications that your loved one might need throughout the day such as pain relievers, antacids, stomach relief, eye drops, cough drops or allergy pills
  • An extra pair of eye glasses along with a case or reading glasses, depending on your loved one’s needs
  • Hard candy or gum
  • A non-perishable snack such as granola bars, trail mix or dried fruit
  • Medical information such as allergies, medical conditions and emergency contact information
  • First aid supplies including triple antibiotic cream, bandages, tweezers, and alcohol pads
  • Antibacterial gel and wet wipes for fast hand cleaning and germ control
  • Tissues
  • A paperback book, crossword puzzle book or other entertainment
  • Medical supplies for any chronic condition that your loved one may have such as diabetic testing supplies, insulin, portable catheters, incontinence supplies or oxygen

Keep all of these items in a lightweight canvas bag or messenger bag so that they are all easily accessible. Having these items at hand will help you to address needs as they arise with your aging loved one. By having these things readily available you can feel more confident about running errands or taking day trips with your aging loved one. Your loved one will also feel more relaxed knowing that he can enjoy his outings with you without worrying that he doesn’t have something that he will need. Don’t hesitate to talk to your loved one about things that he might want to include that you might not have thought of when putting together your day bag. Also remember to throw in a few things for yourself so you feel prepared for your own needs as well!

When researching options for caregivers in Paradise Valley, AZ call us at (480) 535-6800. Home care counselors at Endeavor Home Care are available to talk with you about your in home care needs including how to reduce caregiver stress while providing better, affordable care. We are an elder care agency providing caregivers in Paradise Valley, AZ.

Home Care Services and the Flu

While providing home care services for an aging loved one, you will hear a considerable amount about the flu. You will hear that it is exceptionally dangerous and can cause incredibly serious consequences for seniors. Hearing this, however, does not necessarily prepare you to provide appropriate care for your aging loved one. If you are considering hiring home care services for your aging loved one it is critical that you are fully educated on influenza and can share this information with the in home care provider to ensure that your senior loved one is receiving the level of care that he needs throughout the dangerous flu season.

Here are some important facts about the flu:

  • Up to 20% of the population will get the flu each year
  • Each year more than 200,000 people end up admitted to the hospital due the flu and around 36,000 will die
  • The flu spreads primarily through coughing or sneezing. It can also be spread when a person touches a surface that has been contaminated with the virus
  • The virus can be spread for up to a day before the symptoms even develop and up to five days after they appear

It is important to keep these things in mind when preparing for the flu season with a home care services companion because the health of the companion will be vital to the health of your aging loved one. It is vital that the in home care provider does not come to work if she has been in contact with people that are infected with the flu or is feeling any symptoms.

Symptoms of the flu include:

  • High fever
  • Chronic headache
  • Fatigue
  • Dry cough
  • Sore or scratchy throat
  • Runny nose
  • Stuffy sinuses
  • Achy muscles and joints
  • Nausea and diarrhea

It is also important to keep track of any of these symptoms arising in your aging loved one so that prompt medical attention can be sought. Though most home care services companions are familiar with potential complications related to the flu, it is important that you discuss them with the companion to ensure she understands your expectations regarding the care of your loved one should he contract the flu.

Complications can include:

  • Ear infections
  • Sinus infections
  • Pneumonia
  • Dehydration

When researching options for home care assistance in Chandler, AZ or the surrounding areas, call us at (480) 535-6800. Home care counselors at Endeavor In Home Care are available to talk with you about your in home care needs including how to reduce caregiver stress while providing better, affordable care.

Keeping the Family Involved in Elderly Care

It is no longer the norm for all members of the family to live within close proximity of one another. Instead, relatives are far-flung throughout the country and rarely have the opportunity to be together. This can make providing elderly care for aging loved ones extremely difficult. The adult children that are not living close to home can feel disconnected and ignored in the decisions that are made regarding their parents, while the ones that are living close to the parents can feel pressured and overwhelmed by the responsibility. Keeping the family involved in elderly care can help maintain bonded family relationships and in sure that your aging loved ones receive the highest level of care possible.

The first step in keeping the entire family involved in elder care services is having a meeting with all of the members of the family that will be a part of the elderly care arrangement. Generally this is all of the siblings being involved in the care of aging parents, though other family members are known to provide care as well. Getting together for such a meeting can be virtually impossible, but thanks to technology it is possible to bring everyone together in the form of a video chat or instant message chat room. Make sure that everyone is available and that each person has the opportunity to discuss his feelings regarding the elderly care of his aging parents so that these opinions can be taken into consideration.

Once it has been decided which siblings desire to be involved in the elderly care of your aging loved ones, devise a plan for their involvement. This can include daily phone calls, weekly video chats or ongoing letter writing correspondence with your parents. You can also request that your siblings provide ongoing financial support or help out by being responsible for arranging physician appointments and keeping up with the schedule. Though keeping all members of a long-distance family involved in elder care services can be difficult, it can also be extremely fulfilling and ensure that family relationships are kept close.

When researching options for in home care in Paradise Valley, AZ or the surrounding areas, call us at (480) 535-6800. Home care counselors at Endeavor In Home Care are available to talk with you about your in home care needs including how to reduce caregiver stress while providing better, affordable care.

Protecting Your Marriage While Providing Senior Care

Providing senior care for an aging loved one is an incredible undertaking. You are dedicating your time, energy and effort to making sure that this senior is able to enjoy the highest quality of life possible and that his daily physical, medical and cognitive needs are addressed in a safe, effective and efficient way. While providing home care for an aging loved one, however, it is important to remember that you are still an individual with a life of your own. Many caregivers report feeling as though there personal relationships, particularly their marriages, suffer once they take on the responsibility of being a home care provider for an aging loved one. It is essential not just for your own personal health, but also the relationship that you maintain with your aging loved one that you don’t allow your role as a caregiver to completely overtake your life. You must continue to focus on your marriage, and allow this relationship to give you strength, confidence and stress relief as you face the challenging and often overwhelming realities of being a family caregiver.

Some of the ways that you can protect your marriage while providing senior care for an aging loved one include:

  • Take the time every few hours to send your spouse a text message or make a brief phone call. Often just a short message is enough to ease tension and help you feel better
  • Write each other love letters and hide them in the car, by the coffeemaker or anywhere else where you know the other will find them
  • Hire home care services for one night per week so you can spend some time just focused on your spouse
  • Create plans for special outings or trips that you can look forward to. Make a commitment to hire respite care for this time so you’re able to enjoy your special plans together
  • Agree not to use your spouse as a “vent”. Don’t take your frustration or anger out on your spouse. If you feel as though you need a place to let out tension or frustration, find a therapist that will listen to you and help guide you in coping techniques.

When researching options for in-home senior care in Mesa, AZ or the surrounding areas, call us at (480) 535-6800. Home care counselors at Endeavor In Home Care are available to talk with you about your in home care needs including how to reduce caregiver stress while providing better, affordable care.