Taking care of an ill or elderly relative can place an additional toll on our already busy lives. As a caretaker, it is also important that you remain in good physical and mental health- which means taking breaks. Here are four red flags that you should not ignore: Becoming Forgetful: It’s normal to forget something once in a while, but if your memory is getting worse and you seem to be forgetting everything, it may be a sign that you…
Diabetes is becoming a nationwide epidemic. But, when your loved one is suffering from dementia or Alzheimer’s, diabetes treatment and monitoring is even harder because it often falls to you, the caregiver, to manage the problem. Moreover, because diabetes is so prevalent and tends to run in families, this means that you may have more than one diabetic in the household. Here are three reasons to make managing diabetes a priority: It Effects Eyesight: Diabetes can cause both transient and…
If you are caring for an ill loved one, you are probably dealing with multiple medications and dosing schedules. While it is important that anyone who is prescribed medication is taking medications properly, it can also be extremely confusing to caregivers. If you are struggling with the drugs, here are five tips to help you stay on top of your loved one’s treatment regimen: Note It Down: Keep a list of all medications taken by your loved one either in…
If you are taking care of a loved one who requires consistent care for a specific condition such as Alzheimer’s, it can be difficult to ensure that their overall health is intact. High blood pressure and diabetes are some of the most common problems faced by older Americans and these diseases can have severe consequences for the entire body when left unchecked. Here are 5 things to be aware of: Avoid The Emergency: Certain blood pressure and blood sugar measurements…
Taking care of a relative who is suffering from a degenerative disease such as Alzheimer’s or Dementia is an honorable venture. However, if you are new at taking care of an adult, here are a few things that can help ease the transition: Write Things Down: A medical diagnosis can be overwhelming under the best of circumstances and educating yourself about the condition is always the first step. Unfortunately, many individuals assume that they can remember everything that they are…
Everyone gets cataracts eventually. However, some individuals get cataracts sooner than others and not all cataracts cause the same amount of vision loss. As a caretaker, you may be responsible for ensuring that your loved one has regular and appropriate follow-ups when it comes to their vision and you will have to make sure that they receive appropriate care when it comes to cataract surgery. What Is A Cataract? A cataract is defined as an opacification in the crystalline lens…
Having someone in your family diagnosed with Alzheimer’s can be life-changing- especially if you are in a position to become that person’s caretaker. In addition to a lifestyle alteration, news of the diagnosis can also cause concern because Alzheimer’s does possess a hereditary component- meaning that if one of your parents have the disease, you have a higher chance of being affected as well. Fortunately, Alzheimer’s is the product of several factors including diet, and eating a healthy diet can…
Receiving a diagnosis of dementia or Alzheimer’s disease- which is actually a more severe form of dementia, can be hard on both the affected individual and their loved ones. Because these disorders affect an individual’s ability to properly function, it is important that a caretaker is designated that is able to help the individual with tasks as well as ensure that doctor’s orders are followed- including the proper use of prescribed medication. While Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia do…
As humans age, several changes occur throughout the body. While we know that some of these changes are normal, there are some symptoms that may be a sign of trouble. If you are caring for a loved one who is elderly or suffers from an illness, it may be up to you to recognize alarming symptoms. Here are four changes that can point to a problem: Rapid Visual Changes: While vision, especially nearsighted vision, gets naturally worse with age, rapid…
Caring for a loved one who is disabled or ill may feel like a strictly family related job. However, there are plenty of benefits to enlisting outside help. If you are a primary caretaker, here are a few reasons to consider calling for reinforcements: Self-Care Between work, family and other responsibilities, most Americans lead hectic, busy lives. The added responsibility for caring for a loved can leave you worn out which will, over time, have an impact on your performance…