Renee Rife is our February employee of the month! We want Renee to know that we appreciate all the hard work she puts in, as well as the extra shifts she takes when necessary. We are grateful for the way Renee takes good care of her clients and how their families can rest assured that they are in good hands. We congratulate you Renee, and thank you for all that you do.
Month: January 2019
How Home Care Can Help Older Adults After Surgery
An older adult may have surgery for a number of reasons. They may have heart surgery, cancer surgery, or a joint replacement. Whatever the reason for surgery, your aging relative is bound to need some help during the recovery period. The extra care they need may be more than your current schedule can handle. Fortunately, home care can be hired on a temporary basis to assist a senior while they recover. Here are some of the things a home care provider can do for your loved one after a surgery.
Keeping Needed Items Close By
A home care provider can make sure the older adult has all of the items they use frequently on hand, eliminating the need for them to get up often. This can reduce the risk that they will fall. For example, by placing the telephone where the senior can reach it, there will be no need for them to try to rush to the phone, risking losing their balance or tripping.
Assisting with Pet Care
If the older adult has a pet, they may be unable to manage some of the basic care. A home care provider can assist with feeding and watering pets. They can also take dogs outside or clean cat litter boxes. Knowing their pet is being taken care of allows the older adult to relax and enjoy their pet without worrying.
Help Moving Safely Around the House
Your aging relative may have difficulty walking safely. Their balance may be compromised, or they may have weakness that could cause them to fall. A home care provider can help them by reminding them to use assistive devices and offering physical support.
Prepare Meals
After a surgery, your aging relative might not be able to stand in the kitchen to make meals, lift heavy pots, or bend to get ingredients and tools. A home care provider can cook meals for them, sticking to any special food requirements and the older adult’s preferences.
Transportation
People are often restricted from driving after a surgery. Home care can offer transportation to follow-up medical appointments, the pharmacy, the grocery store, or anywhere else the senior may need to go.
Wound Care
The older adult will probably come home with instructions for taking care of the surgical incision. However, they may have difficulty following the instructions on their own. A home care provider can assist with cleaning and bandaging the incision according to the doctor’s guidelines.
Sources
https://orthospecialtyclinic.com/2016/02/13/1548/
https://www.verywellhealth.com/things-to-have-at-home-after-your-surgery-3156905
https://www.webmd.com/healthy-aging/features/home-self-care#1
IF YOU ARE CONSIDERING IN-HOME CARE IN DES MOINES, IA, FOR AN ELDERLY LOVED ONE, CONTACT GOLDEN HEART SENIOR CARE OF DES MOINES, IA AT 515-631-5033. OUR CARING STAFF CAN ANSWER YOUR QUESTIONS!
4 Ways for Caregivers to Take a Break
Caregivers to older adults often have very little time to themselves. It can be hard to take a break when you’re scheduling medical appointments, going to them, organizing pills, making meals, and the hundred other things you do every day. Let’s face it, you’d love a minute to yourself to read a good book or chat with a friend, but how can you get the time? Below are 5 sneaky ways to make room for a break in a busy caregiver’s day.
#1: Take a Break in the Waiting Room
If you sit in the waiting room while your older family member is in with the doctor, use it as a break. Bring a snack, a good book, or other portable activity with you and pull them out when the older adult is called in for their appointment. Sit in the least populated part of the waiting room and bury your nose in your book or listen to some music on your phone. Resist that urge to use your smartphone to research the senior’s medical condition or schedule more appointments. Instead, nibble on your snack and just relax.
#2: Catch Up with Friends During Naps
Many older adults nap for at least a short time during the day. Use that time to call a friend for a chat. Staying in touch with other people in your life is important because being a caregiver is stressful. You need the support of your friends and family members. So, pick up the phone and make a call or send an email to someone you care about.
#3: Go for a Walk
Okay, caregivers may not be able to do this one alone, but a walk can still offer you a chance to relax even if the older adult is with you. The fresh air will refresh you and getting out of the house for a bit can lift your mood as well as the mood of the senior. Your improved mood and theirs could make the rest of your day a little easier!
#4: Teach the Senior Your Hobby
If you feel like you never get a chance to do the hobby you love, consider teaching the older adult to do it, too. For example, if you love to knit, try teaching the senior a basic stitch or two so they can make a scarf, dish cloth, or blanket. That way, you can sit together and knit. You get some time to do your hobby and they have something to do, too! If the older adult has dementia, they may not be able to knit, but they might enjoy “helping” you by rolling yarn into balls while you knit.
IF YOU ARE CONSIDERING IN-HOME CAREGIVERS IN ALTOONA, IA, FOR AN ELDERLY LOVED ONE, CONTACT GOLDEN HEART SENIOR CARE OF DES MOINES, IA AT 515-631-5033. OUR CARING STAFF CAN ANSWER YOUR QUESTIONS!