Tuesday, September 20, 2011

Seniors and Depression: Not an Uncommon Pair


"Depression is not considered a part of the normal aging process. However, depression late in life is quite common: an astounding 19 percent of those aged 65 and older, or some 6.5 million, experience it. Forced relocation, such as having to move into a facility, can greatly increase the likelihood of developing depression in seniors.

Many elderly people report feeling useless, or feel as though they are not taken seriously, and that anything they say is perceived to have little value.

Depression often appears in nursing home residents. Individuals may begin to feel that their life lacks significant goals or ambitions, and they feel abandoned. Older adults living at home alone who have no social support are also at high risk of developing depressive symptoms.

In addition, late-life depression is associated with deteriorating physical health and multiple chronic medical conditions. Twenty five percent of seniors with restricted mobility and physical capabilities develop major depression within two years of the disability’s onset.

Some of the most common signs of depression in the elderly that family members or seniors themselves can observe are:
•Fatigue.
•Changes in sleeping patterns.
•Weight loss.
•Changes in appetite.
•Withdrawal.
•Isolation.
•Loss of interest in hobbies and pastimes.
•Decreased attention to personal hygiene.

Cases of depression in the elderly population are extremely underdiagnosed and therefore undertreated, so the first step in fighting or preventing depression is to consult a physician. Treating depression with the help of a healthcare professional can be a smoother and easier process than battling it alone.

What Can You Do?

There are a number of easy ways to enrich senior’s lives and help prevent depression. For example, caregivers at Griswold Special Care make sure that our clients go for walks on a regular basis, maintain a healthy diet and eating schedule, and discover new recreational skills or hobbies such as knitting or scrapbooking.

Also, keeping in regular contact with friends, neighbors and family members can positively influence an aging individual’s confidence and overall well-being. As many seniors report finding joy in making other people happy, volunteering and engaging in the activities that benefit the lives of others are additional tools to fight depressive symptoms. Moreover, involvement in recreational activities such as games or reading can increase, or at least maintain, brain activity. As a result, this participation has the potential to give seniors confidence in their cognitive abilities.

For seniors living alone, having a personal caregiver to assist with the tasks and activities of everyday living or a companion to share favorite hobbies with can be both beneficial and joyful. Here at Griswold Special Care, we personally match clients with caregivers to reflect the client’s personal preferences, interests, and characteristics, and also ensure that a caregiver becomes a true friend and a member of the family."

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Diane Walker, RN, MS, is the Vice president of Quality and Compliance at Griswold Special Care. Diane is responsible for developing ongoing educational programs for professional and family caregivers. Diane is the editor for the Caring Times, a publication and website for caregivers and healthcare professionals.

Tuesday, August 23, 2011

Five ways to manage costs of caring for aging parent

By Sandra Block, USA Today.
(http://www.usatoday.com/money/perfi/basics/2011-02-28-lifestages28_ST_N.htm#)
Last March, Brad Veitch, 60, of Moraga, Calif., discovered that his mother, Marion, had given thousands of dollars to swindlers who used the phone and mail to peddle hard-luck stories and get-rich-quick schemes. To stop the fraud, Veitch had to change his mother's phone number — twice.

By June, Veitch began to notice that his mother, a former executive for the American Red Cross, was becoming increasingly forgetful and agitated. Around that same time, Veitch lost his job as an administrator for a for-profit school.

Veitch's mother lives alone in a small town in California's San Joaquin Valley, a five-hour drive from Moraga. For a while, he drove to her home every other week, usually for three days at a time. She doesn't own a computer, so Veitch couldn't use the Internet to search for a job while caring for her. He also worried that he would miss calls from potential employers while on the road.

"So much of job searching today is networking," he says. "When you connect with a person and they say they'll call you back, it produces anxiety when you realize (you're) going to be gone for three days." Veitch says he's been out of work before, but this time, "The burden seems to be much greater, and I think it is because my emotional reservoir is depleted. So much of it has gone to Mom."

Veitch feared he would need to hire a caregiver, something he knew his independent-minded mother would oppose. But a group of friends from his mother's church has helped him avoid that step. One friend stops by in the morning to make sure she's taken her medication, another stops by for lunch or dinner, and two check in daily by phone. Their aid has let Veitch, who hopes to be working soon, reduce his visits to once every three weeks.

"The church has really done the day-to-day care," he says. "If they hadn't been there, I'd be hiring somebody to do that."

In many respects, Veitch's mother is fortunate: She has a committed support group and the financial resources to pay a caregiver if that becomes necessary. Many seniors don't have those advantages, which means their children are forced to shoulder at least some of the cost of their care. More than 40% of caregivers are spending more than $5,000 a year on a loved one's care, according to a survey by Caring.com, a consumer website.

The economic downturn has made that burden even heavier. Unemployment, wage cuts and furloughs have diminished many families' incomes, leaving less money for caregiving. The problem is particularly acute for women, who are the majority of caregivers. Nearly 40% of female caregivers say the downturn has made it harder for them to care for loved ones, according to an April 2010 survey by Volunteers of America.
The downturn "has had an immense impact on women and their ability to care for older loved ones," says Jatrice Gaiter, executive vice president of Volunteers of America. "Women weren't making as much in the first place, and a lot have low-level service jobs that don't allow them to have a lot of extra money."
There are steps you can take to cut costs that won't compromise your parent's care. Five ways to manage caregiving costs:

•Claim your parent as a dependent. Depending on the amount of support you provide, you may be eligible to trim your tax bill by claiming your parents. To do this, your parent's income, excluding Social Security, must be less than the amount of the personal exemption. For 2010, the personal exemption was $3,650; for 2011, it's $3,700. In addition, you must provide more than 50% of a parent's financial support. If the parent lives with you, you can include a percentage of your mortgage and utilities, says Graham Weihmiller, president of Griswold Special Care, a provider of in-home care. You can claim more than one parent as a dependent if both meet the income and support tests, he says.

•Deduct your parent's medical expenses. If you contribute to a parent's health care expenses, you may qualify to deduct those costs, even if you can't claim the parent as a dependent. To claim this deduction, you must provide at least 50% of the parent's financial support, but you don't have to meet the income test, Weihmiller says. In addition, the deduction is limited to medical expenses that exceed 7.5% of your adjusted gross income. Qualified expenses include the cost of a nursing home, in-home health care, dental care and prescription drugs. You can include your own unreimbursed medical expenses when calculating total costs.

•Find out if you qualify for government help. Fifteen states offer a Cash & Counseling program for low-income seniors who are eligible for Medicaid. These programs provide eligible seniors with funds to pay for in-home care, including care provided by family members, says Robin Joy, vice president of marketing for Caring.com. A few other states offer similar grants to seniors who have limited income but earn too much to qualify for Medicaid. Your local Area Agency on Aging office can provide information about programs in your state.

•Pay a family member to provide care. More than a third of caregivers surveyed by Caring.com have been forced to quit jobs, take early retirement, reduce hours or take leaves of absence. If you're in that situation, using a parent's savings to pay yourself a salary can replace some of that lost income.
To avoid conflicts and confusion, draw up a contract outlining the terms of the agreement and share it with other family members, Joy says. If your parent applies for state assistance, you may need the document to show how his or her money has been spent. You can find more information about caregiving contracts at Caring.com.

•Don't overlook your own long-term care needs. Veitch says he and his wife have purchased long-term insurance policies because they don't want to be a burden to their children.
But many families with competing demands on their finances have a hard time paying the premiums. Jeannie Parr, 53, of Columbia, Md., says she's looked into long-term care insurance, but has some immediate concerns, such as contributing to a college savings plan for her son, Sebastian, 5.
Parr hopes family history is on her side. For most of her 88 years, Parr's mother was healthy and active. "My mother was a role model," she says. "She did water aerobics a couple of times a week."
There are low-cost steps you can take, says Alyson Burns, director of the AARP's Long-Term Care Awareness Campaign. For example, it costs nothing to draw up a living will and a health care proxy, she says. If you plan to stay in your home, low-cost modifications such as railings and better lighting can reduce the risk of disabling accidents. Long-term care should be "top of mind for everyone over age 35," Gaiter says. "You must prepare and take care of yourself."

Tuesday, August 16, 2011

All About Nutrition

The more I research, the more studies conclude that nutrition, proper diet, and exercise help to prevent many diseases. So, today is all about nutrition. Here are 3 interesting facts and helpful hints offered on Dr. Carroll Parish's News and Views blogsite at: http://carrollsviews.blogspot.com/

THE POWER OF CINNAMON

"Just half a teaspoon of cinnamon a day significantly reduces blood sugar levels in diabetics, a new study has found. The effect, which can be produced even by soaking a cinnamon stick in your tea, could also benefit millions of non-diabetics who have blood sugar problems but are unaware of it. The active ingredient in cinnamon is a water soluble polyphenol compound called MHCP. In test tube experiments, MHCP mimics insulin, activates its receptor, and works synergistically with insulin in the cells. In a study using Pakistani volunteers, cinnamon also lowered blood levels of fats and "bad" cholesterol, which are also partly controlled by insulin. And it also neutralized free radicals, damaging chemicals which are elevated in diabetics. Cinnamon's essential oils also qualify it as an "anti-microbial" food, and has been studied for its ability to help stop the growth of bacteria as well as fungi, including the commonly problematic yeast Candida. So, start using that cinnamon!"
 

Low Vitamin D Levels Could Cause Liver Disease

by Dr. Simi Paknikar
"We are all aware that low levels of vitamin D can cause weak bones. A recent study indicates that it could be associated with liver disease as well! Researchers claim that low vitamin D could be one of the reasons behind the development of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). NAFLD occurs due to accumulation of triglycerides in the liver cells. Outpatients of suspected metabolic syndrome with normal liver enzymes, no excessive alcohol intake, negative for hepatitis B and hepatitis C, no cirrhosis or chronic liver disease were subjected to liver ultrasound to estimate the presence and degree of fatty liver disease. 25(OH) vitamin D levels were measured to estimate any deficiency of vitamin D. The researchers found that patients with NAFLD had low levels of 25(OH) vitamin D. They also found that the lower 25(OH) vitamin D levels, the worse is the degree of fatty liver disease. This association was independent of other possible influencing factors like age, sex, triglycerides, HDL and fasting blood glucose levels."

Finally, one last helpful hint for today:

DIETARY FIBER

You don't usually see it or taste it, but fiber works wonders for your body. Dietary fiber is a known cancer fighter found only in the cell walls of plant foods. For years, studies have pointed to the fact that increased fiber intake decreases the risk of colorectal cancer. According to a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine (1999) this protective effect may be due to fiber's tendency to add bulk to your digestive system, shortening the amount of time that wastes travel through the colon. As this waste often contains carcinogens, it is best to removed it as quickly as possible. The Journal of Clinical Nutrition (1999) reported that fiber may also help protect against breast cancer, an effect noted especially with consumption of whole grains and wheat bran. Studies indicate that that high amounts of fiber may also prevent breast cancer by binding to estrogen. When bacteria in the lower intestine break down fiber, a substance called butyrate is produced which may inhibit the growth of tumors of the colon and rectum as reported in the Journal of Oncology Research in 2000. Fiber may also have a protective effect against mouth, throat and esophageal cancers according to a study published in the International Journal of Cancer in 2001. Most Americans only take in about 10-15 grams of fiber per day. However, studies have shown that to have a cancer preventing effect one needs about 30-35 grams per day. So what should we do? Eat more vegetables!
 
For more hints on nutrition, visit: Dr. Carroll Parish's News and Views blogsite at: http://carrollsviews.blogspot.com

Monday, August 8, 2011

Deep Breathing: An Effective Tool for Stress Relief--by Katherine McPherson


Sometimes relaxing is much easier said than done. We all know that stress is part of life, and that if it goes unchecked, it can be destructive to your health. Helpguide.org states:
When stress overwhelms your nervous system your body is flooded with chemicals that prepare you for “fight or flight”. While the stress response can be lifesaving in emergency situations where you need to act quickly, it wears your body down when constantly activated by the stresses of everyday life. The relaxation response puts the brakes on this heightened state of readiness and brings your body and mind back into a state of equilibrium.
Fortunately, there are ways to intentionally help your body relax, and deep breathing is a powerful tool to do this. The Pioneer Woman has an excellent post on how to effectively do soft belly breathing. Check it out here.

See other information from Helpguide.org on effective ways we can all use to reduce stress here.

Tuesday, August 2, 2011

Get Creative!

Almost one million people in the US live with Parkinson's disease, a disease that currently has no cure. Living with the diagnose can feel overwhelming, frustrating, and cause fear, especially as the chronic disease progresses.

So, what can you do if you or a loved one has been diagnosed with the disease? How can you help them cope?

Certainly you'll want to comply with your doctor's professional advice and treatment plan...but are there additional helpful tips that alleviate the symptoms of the disease?

According to the Parkinson's Disease Foundation the answer to that question is yes. Though there is currently no medical cure for Parkinson's, the Foundation suggests activities - such as painting, drawing, dancing, singing, making jewelry or playing an instrument - may actually ease Parkinson's disease (PD) symptoms. Stating that "many people with PD report that creative endeavors temporarily relieve their symptoms." (http://www.pdf.org/en/creativity)

So, if you or someone you love struggles with Parkinson's Disease, plan a little time to paint, draw, sing, or dance. Enjoy making a simple necklace or bracelet together.

Don't know where to begin? Google: "make simple jewelry." Or, "learn how to paint."

Most of all...though you may feel powerless, overwhelmed, or filled with fear...DON'T EVER give up--Instead, get creative!

Friday, July 29, 2011

Planning Activities for Loved Ones with Dementia

Elderly Woman Doing Jig Saw Puzzle
Photo from here
   
Planning and doing activities with a loved one who has dementia can provide meaning and encouragement to both the memory-impaired individual and his/her caregiver. Finding activities that are well-suited for your loved one can be challenging but it is rewarding when you have a positive experience. The Alzheimer's Association has provided tips and guidelines in their online brochure, "Activities at Home." You can read the whole brochure by following this link.

Some helpful information that has been pulled from this brochure includes:
 
Effective activities:
• Bring meaning, purpose, joy and hope to the
person’s life
• Use the person’s skills and abilities
• Give the person a sense of normalcy
• Involve family and friends
• Are dignified and appropriate for adults
• Are enjoyable

10 quick tips for activities at home
  1. Be flexible and patient
  2. Encourage involvement in daily life
  3. Avoid correcting the person
  4. Help the person remain as independent as possible
  5. Offer opportunities for choice
  6. Simplify instructions
  7. Establish a familiar routine
  8. Respond to the person’s feelings
  9. Simplify, structure and supervise
  10. Provide encouragement and praise

Tuesday, July 26, 2011

Minimizing Risks to Alzheimers

I read an interesting article exposing factors that we may be able to influence to minimize our risks of Alzheimer's disease; the complete article was published at: http://www.alz.org/alzheimers_disease_causes_risk_factors.asp#whatyoucando 
The first suggestion is to protect your head from head trauma: "There may be a strong link between serious head injury and future risk of Alzheimer’s, especially when trauma occurs repeatedly or involves loss of consciousness. Protect your brain by buckling your seat belt, wearing your helmet when participating in sports, and “fall-proofing” your home."

The second suggestion is to take care of your heart: "Growing evidence links brain health to heart health...The risk of developing Alzheimer’s or vascular dementia appears to be increased by many conditions that damage the heart or blood vessels. These include high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, diabetes and high cholesterol."

The third suggestion offered is to take care of your body: "Other lines of evidence suggest that strategies for overall healthy aging may help keep your brain as well as your body fit. These strategies may even offer some protection against developing Alzheimer’s or related disorders. Try to keep your weight within recommended guidelines, avoid tobacco and excess alcohol, stay socially connected, and exercise both your body and mind."

So, let's break it down. Here are some practical steps we can take that may help us minimize our risks of Alzheimers.
  1. Protect your head from trauma.
  2. Eat healthy to protect your heart and avoid foods high in cholesterol and fat. Instead eat foods rich with antioxidant levels; like: spinach, raisins, blueberries, brussels sprouts, broccoli, blackberries, beets, red bell peppers, prunes, cherries, oranges, or corn. You might also try to take in more fish, like: halibut, salmon,or tuna. Nuts can be beneficial too: try eating more almonds, pecans, or walnuts. (For a fuller list, read: http://www.alz.org/we_can_help_adopt_a_brain_healthy_diet.asp)
  3. Finally, as recommended above: "avoid tobacco and excess alcohol, stay socially connected, and exercise both your body and mind." Plan routine walks with friends or enjoy evening strolls with loved ones.
We can't always control our genetics or family history...but there are some things we can do that may help. Choose a few above and commit to embracing gradual life changes to help influence your overall health. Next week, we'll explore a little more about Parkinson's disease.

For more helpful hints on Alzheimers visit: http://www.alz.org

Monday, July 25, 2011

Bird Feeder Activity--by Katherine McPherson

It can be relaxing and enjoyable to observe nature. Bird watching is an activity that almost anyone can do. The following is a simple, affordable and effective way you and your loved one can make a bird feeder. Young family members would also enjoy doing this and learn about nature by doing so.

Materials for this project include:
  • A large open pine cone
  • Peanut butter
  • String
  • Birdseed
  • Resealable plastic bag


To make the bird feeder:
  • Spread peanut butter all over the pine cone.
  • Put the bird seed in a resealable plastic bag and put the peanut butter-covered pine cone in the bag. Shake to cover with seed.
  • Put the pine cone in the freezer for approximately 30 minutes to firm-up the peanut butter and make the next step more manageable.
  • Tie a string around any part of the cone (I use the mid section) and secure the other end of the string to a tree branch, hook or other object in view.
Watch as birds find your feeder and enjoy the meal you left them. Identify what species of birds you have attracted and see if you seem to have any "regular visitors". Cornell has put together a great resource to identify common feeder birds. You can access their website by clicking here.

Hopefully today's post may help create moments of joy by spending time together and creating something that will inspire fun and conversation.

Become a Pen Pal--Katherine McPherson

A simple card can be a joy to send or receive
Becoming a pen pal can be a great activity for someone who is not as social as s/he used to be. Receiving a note from a friend can be uplifting, and a letter or card is especially touching in today's world of text messaging and email. Additionally, engaging with a pen pal will encourage your loved one to regularly think about someone else.Thinking about others has benefits that include decreased anti-social behavior and depression, and increased optimism and self-worth.  

Maybe a daughter, son, friend or cousin would be a good pen pal to the person whom you are caring for. Ideally, correspondence should be regular (weekly or bi-weekly is an ideal starting point) and reciprocal. Notes do not need to be elaborate, but rather just positive and thoughtful. Even sending a simple note card with a message such as "sending a hug and good thoughts your way" can bring benefits to the receiver. Other ideas for notes are:
  • an article you read during the week
  • a quote that inspired you
  • a joke that made you smile
  • a fun memory
  • a bible verse that speaks to you
  • a small paper craft like a heart chain or a snowflake
  • a picture
  • a recipe you recommend
  • a cartoon
Depending on your loved one, making the card can also be enjoyable and especially fun to receive. All that is needed is some paper and imagination- you never know when inspiration will strike. Just remember to have fun and enjoy knowing you will be helping create a bright spot in another person's day :)

A Refreshing Drink--by Katherine McPherson

My favorite flavored water combination: orange and cucumber
Proper hydration is essential to all of us, but it is particularly important for someone who has impaired health. Encouraging your loved one to drink fluids is important, and water is nearly always the best choice. An idea that may help you and your loved one stay hydrated this summer is to make flavored waters. Flavored waters are a great way to meet your daily hydration needs without adding excessive calories, added sugars, artificial ingredients or caffeine. You may be surprised at how delicious and refreshing this simple mixture can be.

All you do is cut up fruit (oranges, lemon, lime, apples, strawberries, grapefruit and tangerines are all common choices), cucumbers or herbs (mint) and add them to a pitcher of water. You can use any of these additions alone or in combination. Keep the pitcher covered in the refrigerator for up to three days and just refill it as it becomes around half-way empty. Try using pretty cups that are not overly large (large cups can be intimidating to some) and adding a garnish (wedge of fruit) for visual appeal. Enjoy!

Tuesday, July 19, 2011

Enjoy New Moments...And Laugh!

"C-mon! Don't forget...it's OK to laugh." I encouraged my friend.

LIFE had gotten pretty serious. Caring for her mother (who suffered with Alzheimer) had taken its toll. She was grief stricken. Missing what "once was". Wanting memories to live in the present. But memories had long surpassed her mother's capabilities.

We've all experienced loss. Wished for things that were gone. Longed to go back to "the good ole days." But sometimes, the best choice we can make is to press on; enjoy new moments with our loved ones; and laugh.

So, today, think of something "NEW" you can do with your loved one, like:
  1. Bake together.
  2. Take a short walk.
  3. Watch a funny movie.
  4. Listen to a song.
  5. Color!
Let go of "what was" and "embrace the moment."

In Ecclesiastes 3, Solomon wrote great words of wisdom, saying: "There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven...a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance...a time to embrace and a time to refrain...a time to keep and a time to throw away..." (NIV)
Today is a day for laughing, dancing, embracing, and knowing what to keep and what to throw away. So, enjoy new moments and remember to LAUGH a little!

Tuesday, July 5, 2011

10 Signs of Alzheimers

Years ago a dear friend of mine laughingly shared stories about her mother's ongoing memory loss. But (years later) as her mother's condition worsened, my friend became more and more concerned.

In the past we believed memory loss was just a normal part of the aging process; but, in recent years that myth has been exposed. Instead, memory loss can often be linked to a digressing disease called Alzheimer's. I wish my friend and I had known about this disease and its early symptoms.

According to the Alzheimer's Association, there are 10 signs of Alzheimer's .  (If you or a loved one begin to notice any of these symptoms, seek a doctor's medical advice.)


10 Signs of Alzheimer's:

(Information posted from (http://www.alz.org/alzheimers_disease_10_signs_of_alzheimers.asp)
  1. Memory loss that disrupts daily life
  2. Challenges in planning or solving problems
  3. Difficulty completing familiar tasks at home, at work or at leisure
  4. Confusion with time or place
  5. Trouble understanding visual images and spatial relationships
  6. New problems with words in speaking or writing
  7. Misplacing things and losing the ability to retrace steps
  8. Decreased or poor judgment
  9. Withdrawal from work or social activities
  10. Changes in mood and personality
For a more in depth description on each of these 10 signs, visit: http://www.alz.org/alzheimers_disease_10_signs_of_alzheimers.asp

Thursday, June 30, 2011

Foil Packet Dinners--Written By Katherine McPherson

In an ideal world, dinner would be a great time to relax and enjoy spending time with your family while consuming delicious and healthy food. As a caregiver, you may feel a responsibility to provide your loved one with good nutrition. Sometimes this is easier said than done. Often, we have competing priorities and lack of time. This can be further complicated by various family food preferences. If this sounds familiar, I hope this dinner idea can help you.
Currently, I have an abundance of squash and zucchini in my garden. So I simply sliced these vegetables along with some onion and used them as the base for individual tin foil dinners for each person at our house. This mixture was then seasoned with salt and pepper and a pat of butter was added to each packet. Individual chicken breasts that had been marinating in Italian dressing were placed on the vegetables. I sealed up each packet and put everyone's dinner on a cooking sheet together. I baked them at 375 degrees for 45 minutes (until the chicken was done at 170 degrees in the thickest part of the breast). Lastly, I transferred each dinner from its packet to a plate (be careful when opening the packets) and added some Parmesan cheese to each serving. I served this alongside some steamed broccoli and it was a complete and fresh meal. It took less than 10 minutes to put together and clean-up was minimal.

Maybe your loved one has different food preferences than you or has dietary restrictions that can be limiting for the whole family. Other foods that are convenient in tin packets include potatoes (just slice them very thin or dice them), bell peppers, mushrooms and hamburger patties. Any seasoning or herbs can be used (pesto is another good one for chicken and either potatoes or zucchini). Some people may add shredded cheddar cheese, cooked bacon or barbecue sauce after baking. Modifying this concept to suit everyone's diet is simple and allows minimal preparation to accomplish different meals for the whole family. In addition, others can help by making their own packets and all meals that are cooked together are done at the same time. Assembling each meal could even be done the day prior to baking. Just pull the packets out of the refrigerator and put them in the oven when you are ready. This means you have one less thing to coordinate and this can make a huge difference in a busy day. This meal is also very forgiving as it does not over-cook easily and the foil packet keeps the meat moist (which makes it tender).

I hope this idea may help you and your family have an easy, affordable, healthy and delicious home-cooked dinner together.

Tuesday, June 28, 2011

Practice an Attitude of Gratitude

Ever get discouraged? Bogged down by responsibilities? Overwhelmed by your endless "to do lists"? I know I sure do. But, a few weeks ago I met an amazing person who shared a life principle that really helps.

He shared that maintaining an attitude of gratitude (which simply means to practice giving thanks) helps produce joy. Oh, I know, sometimes it doens't seem like there's anything to be thankful or grateful for...but over the last few weeks I tried to live by his principle. And you know what? It made me joyful!


I'm convinced that gratitude helps to overcome fatigue. It squelches frustrations. And, helps lighten the load!
So, wanna try it out? If so, ask yourself these questions:
  • Who has helped me during a time of great difficulty?
  • Who encourages or inspires me to be better than I ever thought possible?
  • Who empowers me to live with greater excellence?
  • Who showers me with genuine belief and praise for my talents?
  • What is your favorite memory?
  • What can I be thankful for? The key is to find gratefulness in the simplest of things: people in your life, your pet, your home, food on the table, moments with loved ones, running water, air-conditioning...
Begin to express thanks out loud, especially when you feel discouraged. You might also consider sending a note of thanks to people you appreciate.

It may not feel natural at first...but...practicing praise and maintaining an attitude of gratitude produces strength and joy.

Tuesday, June 21, 2011

Take Time To Rest

"Rest isn't laziness...Rest is a certain step toward renewal." (Virelle Kidder, Meet Me At the Well, pg. 52.)

What helps you rest? Do you even remember anymore? Or have you tirelessly served to the extent you have nothing left to give?



Today's Tip: Take Time To Rest

What brings you peace? Write a list of a few things that only takes a few minutes but brings you peace; allow yourself a little time each day to do them. Begin small. Take a five minute walk alone, or sit quietly enjoying the scenery. Take time to replenish your soul. Stimulate your mind with a good book.

The best way to maintain the strength to serve those you love is to remain healthy and strong. It's ok to care for your own needs too.

Feeling a little edgy? Feeling worn out? Time to take a little time for you and rest.

Friday, June 17, 2011

Enjoy a Superfood Smoothie

Enjoy a Superfood Smoothie

Photo from here
Summer is in full swing and when temperatures go up appetites can go down. Taking care of our bodies (including maintaining a healthy diet) can be a challenge when balancing busy lives and competing priorities. Consider trying the following recipe for a blueberry smoothie as either breakfast or a snack. Loaded with blueberries, yogurt and flaxseeds, it makes good nutrition possible for both those who struggle with enjoying healthy foods and caregivers who are super busy (sound familiar?). Who doesn't need more fruit, omega-3s and calcium in their lives?

You may already know that blueberries are one of the healthiest foods we can consume. Livestrong.com reports some of the advantages of this fruit include:
  • Rich in Antioxidants to Strengthen and Support the Immune System
  • Relieves Urinary Tract Infection Symptoms
  • Source of Fiber
  • Beneficial for Short-Term Memory
Fresh blueberries can be frozen to enjoy in this smoothie or you can purchase them already frozen (this is a budget-friendly way to enjoy this fruit year-round).

Blueberry Smoothie
1 c. frozen wild* blueberries
½ c. plain or vanilla yogurt
1 c. lowfat milk
2 TBS ground flaxseeds
Put all ingredients into the blender and puree. Enjoy! Makes 1 large or two small servings.

For anyone who wants to learn more about the health benefits of blueberries, check out this link.
More on the nutritional information for flaxseeds here.

*wild blueberries have higher levels of antioxidants in them than cultivated blueberries. You can usually find wild blueberries in the frozen section of the supermarket, but any type of frozen blueberry will work fine in this recipe.

Tuesday, June 14, 2011

The Best Place to Start is with...

I don't like to admit my limitations. Sometimes I even try hiding my short-coming and press on under the illusion I can do anything...that is until exhaustion overrides my determination.

Ever share similar struggles?


Today's Tip:

Regardless of what obstacles we face in life, the best way to meet the challenge is with honesty...Honesty with our own expectations...Honesty with our limitations...Honesty with our frustrations.

In her book, Meet Me at the Well, Virelle Kidder writes, "Caring for others' deep needs exhausts us to our core. There's a limit to how much anyone can do."

Admitting we can't do it all is difficult. But, asking for help and acknowledging our feelings is healthy. Take time today, to renew your strength. Find a place to relax and evaluate where you need help. Be honest with yourself...NO ONE can do it all.

If you are at a place where you need help caring for your loved one, don't hesitate to contact us at our Broward County Office: 954-578-7189 or through our national site at: http://www.griwoldspecialcare.com/

Thursday, June 9, 2011

It's a Great Time for a Picnic


It's a Great Day for a Picnic: Written by Katherine McPherson


 photo from here
Sandy, a talented caregiver, has a way of engaging clients who typically don’t like to do activities. She takes Jane, a lady whom she cares for, on a “picnic”. Jane has dementia and is hesitant to leave her couch and television (which is always on the news). Sandy encourages Jane to help her pack a lunch of finger foods. They don’t leave the house (due to Jane’s declining mobility), but they do go to the sunroom for lunch. It can be an effective way to change the scenery for Jane (because let’s face it- the news is not always uplifting), and it makes lunch seem more like an event. Finger foods are tasty and they eliminate the need for silverware, which can be a challenge for Jane to use at times.  Some foods they enjoy include small sandwiches (cucumber, chicken salad and egg salad are favorites), pickles or chips, sliced fruit and cookies.  Sandy’s thoughtful idea makes a positive impact on Jane’s day by creating a fun and positive environment, helping her relax, have an enjoyable meal and participate in light-hearted conversation. Maybe having a picnic could create a joyful experience for you and your loved one too.

Tuesday, June 7, 2011

Take Time To Journal

Ever, "find yourself currently overwhelmed by your responsibilities, torn in two by the needs of other, or waking up begging for strength to get you through the next day, then we might be related. Do people count on you to be strong but your emotional tank was empty long ago?...Ever want to quit?" (Excerpt from Virelle Kidders book, Meet Me at the Well.)

Caring for those that are aging, disabled or a combination can be tiring. Watching their deterioration disarms the best of us. But there is hope. You don't have to remain overwhelmed. Our mission is to offer helpful hints to caring for loved ones who demand long term care.

One of the greatest helps you can offer your loved one is nurturing your own health and well-being. Each Tuesday, we hope to offer you helpful hints to caring for your own needs in order to help empower you to assist those you love most. On Thursdays, our mission will be to offer helpful suggestions to engage your loved one in healthy activities.

Today's Tip: Take time to journal.
Write out your feelings. Express your emotions.

What should you write about? Address thoughts like: What do you wish? What do you miss? What do you still love to do? What do you enjoy or appreciate about your loved one? How are you feeling? Write it down...yes both the good and the bad emotions. Really, you can write about anything. The point is to provide you a healthy outlet for yourself. Journaling provides the opportunity to express things that may otherwise go un-said, allowing an outlet for pent-up emotions. Journaling also provides a time for quiet reflection.

Take time to write...release stored up frustrations...and feel renewed through quiet reflection.

Written by: Julie Gorman with excerpts from Virelle Kidder's Book: Meet Me at the Well

Wednesday, May 18, 2011

An Article Published from the AOA site

Check out the following article published from the AOA site: http://www.aoa.gov/AoARoot/Preparedness/Resources_Individuals/index.aspx: Resources for Individuals, Families and Caregivers

In order to respond to an emergency or disaster in a community, every individual, family, caregiver, and aging services network professional must have a well-developed personal preparedness and response plan. These resources and links can assist you in developing plans suited to your individual needs, across a wide variety of disaster and emergency situations, as well as provide information about possible sources of assistance following a disaster. Resources for The Aging Services Network and Other Professionals All segments of the national Aging Services Network have important roles and responsibilities in emergency preparedness and response activities. The information in this section is intended to provide tools and resources that will assist you in developing and establishing priorities, best practices and actions in preparing for, and responding to, an emergency or disaster.

Preparing for an Emergency or Disaster

The following resources can assist individuals, families and their caregivers in preparing and planning for an emergency or disaster.

Monday, May 9, 2011

Five ways to manage costs of caring for aging parent


(Recently Griswold's San Antonio office featured this article by Sandra Block, USA Today.)

Five ways to manage costs of caring for aging parent

Feb 28, 2011
By Sandra Block, USA Today.

Last March, Brad Veitch, 60, of Moraga, Calif., discovered that his mother, Marion, had given thousands of dollars to swindlers who used the phone and mail to peddle hard-luck stories and get-rich-quick schemes. To stop the fraud, Veitch had to change his mother's phone number — twice
By June, Veitch began to notice that his mother, a former executive for the American Red Cross, was becoming increasingly forgetful and agitated. Around that same time, Veitch lost his job as an administrator for a for-profit school.

Veitch's mother lives alone in a small town in California's San Joaquin Valley, a five-hour drive from Moraga. For a while, he drove to her home every other week, usually for three days at a time. She doesn't own a computer, so Veitch couldn't use the Internet to search for a job while caring for her. He also worried that he would miss calls from potential employers while on the road.

"So much of job searching today is networking," he says. "When you connect with a person and they say they'll call you back, it produces anxiety when you realize (you're) going to be gone for three days." Veitch says he's been out of work before, but this time, "The burden seems to be much greater, and I think it is because my emotional reservoir is depleted. So much of it has gone to Mom."

Veitch feared he would need to hire a caregiver, something he knew his independent-minded mother would oppose. But a group of friends from his mother's church has helped him avoid that step. One friend stops by in the morning to make sure she's taken her medication, another stops by for lunch or dinner, and two check in daily by phone. Their aid has let Veitch, who hopes to be working soon, reduce his visits to once every three weeks.

"The church has really done the day-to-day care," he says. "If they hadn't been there, I'd be hiring somebody to do that."

In many respects, Veitch's mother is fortunate: She has a committed support group and the financial resources to pay a caregiver if that becomes necessary. Many seniors don't have those advantages, which means their children are forced to shoulder at least some of the cost of their care. More than 40% of caregivers are spending more than $5,000 a year on a loved one's care, according to a survey by Caring.com, a consumer website.

The economic downturn has made that burden even heavier. Unemployment, wage cuts and furloughs have diminished many families' incomes, leaving less money for caregiving. The problem is particularly acute for women, who are the majority of caregivers. Nearly 40% of female caregivers say the downturn has made it harder for them to care for loved ones, according to an April 2010 survey by Volunteers of America.
The downturn "has had an immense impact on women and their ability to care for older loved ones," says Jatrice Gaiter, executive vice president of Volunteers of America. "Women weren't making as much in the first place, and a lot have low-level service jobs that don't allow them to have a lot of extra money."
There are steps you can take to cut costs that won't compromise your parent's care. Five ways to manage caregiving costs:

•Claim your parent as a dependent. Depending on the amount of support you provide, you may be eligible to trim your tax bill by claiming your parents. To do this, your parent's income, excluding Social Security, must be less than the amount of the personal exemption. For 2010, the personal exemption was $3,650; for 2011, it's $3,700. In addition, you must provide more than 50% of a parent's financial support. If the parent lives with you, you can include a percentage of your mortgage and utilities, says Graham Weihmiller, president of Griswold Special Care, a provider of in-home care. You can claim more than one parent as a dependent if both meet the income and support tests, he says.

•Deduct your parent's medical expenses. If you contribute to a parent's health care expenses, you may qualify to deduct those costs, even if you can't claim the parent as a dependent. To claim this deduction, you must provide at least 50% of the parent's financial support, but you don't have to meet the income test, Weihmiller says. In addition, the deduction is limited to medical expenses that exceed 7.5% of your adjusted gross income. Qualified expenses include the cost of a nursing home, in-home health care, dental care and prescription drugs. You can include your own unreimbursed medical expenses when calculating total costs.

•Find out if you qualify for government help. Fifteen states offer a Cash & Counseling program for low-income seniors who are eligible for Medicaid. These programs provide eligible seniors with funds to pay for in-home care, including care provided by family members, says Robin Joy, vice president of marketing for Caring.com. A few other states offer similar grants to seniors who have limited income but earn too much to qualify for Medicaid. Your local Area Agency on Aging office can provide information about programs in your state.

•Pay a family member to provide care. More than a third of caregivers surveyed by Caring.com have been forced to quit jobs, take early retirement, reduce hours or take leaves of absence. If you're in that situation, using a parent's savings to pay yourself a salary can replace some of that lost income.
To avoid conflicts and confusion, draw up a contract outlining the terms of the agreement and share it with other family members, Joy says. If your parent applies for state assistance, you may need the document to show how his or her money has been spent. You can find more information about caregiving contracts at Caring.com.

•Don't overlook your own long-term care needs. Veitch says he and his wife have purchased long-term insurance policies because they don't want to be a burden to their children.
But many families with competing demands on their finances have a hard time paying the premiums. Jeannie Parr, 53, of Columbia, Md., says she's looked into long-term care insurance, but has some immediate concerns, such as contributing to a college savings plan for her son, Sebastian, 5.
Parr hopes family history is on her side. For most of her 88 years, Parr's mother was healthy and active. "My mother was a role model," she says. "She did water aerobics a couple of times a week."
There are low-cost steps you can take, says Alyson Burns, director of the AARP's Long-Term Care Awareness Campaign. For example, it costs nothing to draw up a living will and a health care proxy, she says. If you plan to stay in your home, low-cost modifications such as railings and better lighting can reduce the risk of disabling accidents.
Long-term care should be "top of mind for everyone over age 35," Gaiter says. "You must prepare and take care of yourself."