Ten Caregiver Tips For Care of the Elderly

The caregiver role is complex and differs for everyone depending on the needs of the care-receiver. Many times, in the beginning, there may only be a few needs, such as providing transportation or helping with shopping or cooking.

Over time, needs increase, requiring additional services, until the care-receiver is fully dependent on the caregiver. Here are some tips to help you get started:

1. Every caregiver should know as much as possible about the care-receiver. You should know their characteristics and personality style. For example, you should know their likes, dislikes, family members, ailments, etc.  You should know if the care-receiver is outgoing or reserved, task-oriented or people-oriented. Once you get to know them better you will be able to understand their needs and behavior patterns.

2. Every caregiver should know and understand his/her responsibilities, duties, and tasks. As a caregiver, you have a responsibility to be sensitive to the needs of the care-receiver, and to find a way to satisfy their needs.  This may require you to enlist the help of others. The duties of the caregiver usually change and increase over a period of time. Set up and follow a care plan.  Recording essential daily information will assist everyone on the Care Team. It also allows another caregiver to take your place fairly easily.

3. Stay updated on the health condition of the care-receiver.  As the health of the elder deteriorates and more needs start to surface, it is important for the caregiver to find out how to cope with them.  Keep a log of his/her daily activities (medicine taken, food intake, sleep habits, temperament, etc.) so that you will always have a snapshot view of their current health. This information will help the doctor get a more complete picture of the condition of the care-receiver.

4. Assist as little as possible in tasks the senior can usually handle himself/herself. Just as it is not easy being a caregiver, it is not always easy being a care-receiver.  The gradual loss of independence and control over just about everything is difficult to accept. Remember, seniors have the right to their dignity and pride.

5. Caregivers should express warmth and concern towards the welfare of the care-receiver.

If the care-receiver has a poor self image or feelings of inferiority, the caregiver may have to provide reassurance while ignoring negative behavior.  A caregiver must have patience (and stamina) for change in moods.

6. Be a good listener. Many times seniors may simply want you to listen. They want to share their stories. Caregivers must be careful to avoid put downs and choosing sides.  Pay attention and be able to connect the dots between past, present, and future. Listen intuitively or use your sixth sense to hear underlying messages.

7. Smile a lot. Be a good friend and companion. Be as positive as possible.

8. When friends and family neglect to call or visit, do not hesitate to remind them.

9. Ask for help. Advocate for what you need. Sharing the care of a loved-one benefits everyone.

10. Maintain your self-composure and avoid stress. Elder abuse can occur as a result of caregiver stress.

It is imperative that you are aware of and deal with stress.

For more info: http://www.seniorsresourceguide.com/articles/art00974.html

Congratulations to our CAREGiver of The Month of July

Congratulations to our CAREGiver of The Month of July, Shirley P. Shirley has been a CAREGiver with Home Instead for 5 ½ years. She has received more complimentary letters from clients than any other CAREGiver. She is reliable, dedicated and compassionate. It is not a job for her to serve and care for others, it is her passion. We honor you Shirley and are so proud you are a part of the Home Instead Senior Care team.

Give A Caregiver A Break!

The So Cal Offices of Home Instead Senior Care, Stroke Association of Southern California, and the Los Angeles caregiver resource Center invite you to:

GIVE A CAREGIVER A BREAK!

Nominate a worthy caregiver to receive a free cruise for two on

Royal Caribbean's Liberty of the Seas

January 21-26, 2012

5 Night western Caribbean Cruise From Fort Lauderale with stops in Belize & Cozumel - Round-Trip Airfare to Florida included

Are you or is someone you know....

... devoted to being the primary caregiver for an aging loved one

... a resident of either Los Angeles, Orange, or Ventura County  

... WILLING TO GO ON A FREE CRUISE!

To enter submit 500 words or less why you or someone you know DESERVES A CAREGIVER BREAK and the nominee will be eligible for a FREE CRUISE FOR TWO!

To enter, visit HomeInsteadCaregiverCruise.com or email your entry nomination to 

HomeInsteadCaregiverCruise@gmail.com or send by mail to:

Caregivercruise Getaway Contest

c/o Stroke Association of Southern California

PO BOX 2098

Santa Monica, California 90406

All electronic entries must be received by September 11, 2011 and all mailed entries postmarked by September 11, 2011 and received by September 12, 2011.  For all the contest rules, terms, and conditions please visit www.HomeInsteadCaregiverCruise.com

Loneliness is a 'Hidden Killer'

Loneliness is a 'hidden killer' that poses as great a health risk as obesity, say campaigners

Loneliness is the ‘hidden killer’ of the elderly which threatens health as much as obesity or smoking, campaigners warned yesterday.

A group of charities says the emotional cost may be known, but the physical damage has been neglected.

Almost one in ten elderly people suffers ‘intense’ loneliness, leading to increased risk of depression, lack of exercise and poor eating habits.

Loneliness has been linked to cognitive disorders such as dementia

Greater recognition is needed among health professionals of the links between poor health and loneliness, it is claimed.

The Campaign to End Loneliness is being organised by Age UK Oxfordshire, Counsel And Care, Independent Age and WRVS and funded by the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation.

In a report, they call for better awareness of the ‘horror’ of loneliness and its ‘pernicious impact’ on older people.

According to a poll of 2,200, fewer than one in five has ever seen or heard information about loneliness as a health risk.

 

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Andrew Barnett, of the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation, said: ‘We need to consider the practical ... emotional and psychological implications of growing numbers of older people.’

The World Health Organisation has rated loneliness as a higher risk to health than smoking and as great a risk as obesity.

Researchers also say lack of social interaction increases the chances of suffering degenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s.

Loneliness is increasing, partly due to greater numbers living on their own as they live longer and families disperse. More than half of those over the age of 75 live alone and about one in ten suffers ‘intense’ loneliness.

For more information visit www.campaigntoendloneliness.org/

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-1352479/Loneliness-hidden-killer-poses-great-health-risk-obesity.html#ixzz1TG4pGYDs

Free Caregiver Cruise Giveaway | CaregiverStress.com

Are you or someone you know devoted to caring for a senior loved one?

We recognize the dedication and love it takes, but also the stresses that can come along with it. So we're giving one lucky caregiver hero a free, 5-day cruise - and while they're gone, we'll provide professional care for their loved one. And if you are nominating a friend or family member, you could be entered into a drawing to win a laptop and camcorder!

Nominate yourself or someone you know for a chance to win!

Nominate Yourself	Nominate a Friend or Family Member
You could win a cruise or an Apple iPad Enter by signing up for our email newsletter	You could win a laptop computer and camcorder Enter by nominating a friend or family member Your friend or family member could win a cruise by signing up for our email newsletter

Free Caregiver Cruise Giveaway | CaregiverStress.com

Family Caregiver Support Web Seminar Series | American Society on Aging

Family Caregiver Support Web Seminar Series | American Society on Aging

The Party Of The Century

The Party of the Century!


Burbank Celebrates its Centennial in Style


Friday, July 8 from 5:00 to 10:00 P.M.


On the anniversary of its incorporation in 1911, the City of Burbank will celebrate its 100th year with the Party of the Century in Downtown Burbank, Friday, July 8 from 5:00 to 10:00 P.M.


Featuring awesome food from Downtown Burbank restaurants, an air parade, multiple stages, top local bands and DJs, a mascot parade, children's entertainers, stilt walkers, Centennial memorabilia and community booths, the Party of the Century will be the ultimate night on the town for kids and families alike.
Encompassing six city blocks including San Fernando Boulevard, Palm Avenue, AMC Walkway, Orange Grove and Olive Avenue, it will express the civic pride and community spirit that have characterized Burbank’s first 100 years.
Things will really heat up when the sun goes down. That's when the grand finale with a stunningly choreographed firework show will cap festivities in a profusion of light and sound.


PARTY HIGHLIGHTS
It all starts at 5:00 P.M. with a flag salute and live broadcast on the steps of City Hall (275 E Olive Avenue) featuring KNBC Weatherman Fritz Coleman, civic dignitaries, former Mayors and a host of celebrities from Burbank’s rich film and television production history.
During the ceremony, a time capsule will be opened and contents revealed. A new capsule filled with mementos from the Centennial will be buried later in the year for the benefit of future generations.
After the capsule opening, Mickey Mouse will present one of the largest cupcake displays ever. Big enough to feed 2,000 people, this super-sized confection made from thousands of regular-sized cakes stacked high on a custom-built stand, will be given away on a first-come, first-served basis. Concocted by a dream-team of master bakers from Porto’s Bakery & Cafe, Martino’s Bakery, United Bakery and Yummy Cupcakes, this tasty tower of flour is guaranteed to satisfy every sweet tooth.
Just after the ceremony at approximately 5:45 P.M. will be the Air Parade, an awe-inspiring pageant in the sky that pays homage to Burbank’s close ties to aviation. Included will be McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornets. B-25 Mitchell bombers, Burbank/Glendale/Pasadena Police Notar helicopters, helicopters from Los Angeles County Sheriff “Air 5” Rescue, Los Angeles County Fire, Long Beach Police and the Orange County Sheriff departments, Aero Squadron World War II planes and more.
Then, there will be the Mascot Parade led by Bugs Bunny and featuring Burbank High’s Bulldog, the John Burroughs Indian, Hootie the Owl, Domino’s Noid, Geoffrey the Giraffe, the H.T. Bee, Sergeant McGruff the Crime Dog, Burbank Fire Department’s L’il Squirt and many more. Characters will cavort down Olive Avenue to San Fernando Boulevard, where there will be numerous photos ops with the public.
There will be multiple stages with continuous performances by rock and rollers Captain Cardiac and the Coronaries, the Alley Cats, a USO Show by Wartime Radio Revue, a DJ spinning Burbank’s favorite tunes, a Fabulous Fifties stage with the retro crooners High Street, celebrity lookalikes, jazz and blues band The Bluez Express, a kids stage featuring Radio Disney talent, and more.
Downtown restaurants will be offering special menus in celebration of the Centennial.
To finish, a stunning Fireworks Grand Finale choreographed to Burbank-related movie and television soundtracks, such as themes from Laugh In, The Tonight Show, Looney Tunes Cartoons, Happy Days and films by Tim Burton and Ron Howard.


For further information, the public is asked to please call 818.238.5180 or visit www.downtown-burbank.org