Caregiver Connection: July, August and September 2023

STORIES IN THIS ISSUE:

SUMMER SAFETY TIPS

As temperatures rise during the summer, it is important to take the proper precautions to prevent heat-related illnesses, including heat exhaustion and heat stroke. People ages 65 and older, individuals with pre-existing conditions, are most at risk in hot weather. Below are tips for you and those in your care to stay safe during the hottest times of the year:

  • Stay hydrated. Drink plenty of water, at least eight cups daily, even if you don’t feel thirsty. Try setting reminders throughout the day, using the alarm or virtual assistant on your cell phone to set reminders to drink water
  • Eat fruits and vegetables. Some fruits and vegetables contain high concentrations of water. Pick your favorites and keep them in a cooler with you when you travel for easy access.
  • Stay in an air-conditioned environment. Do not rely on fans to cool you down.
  • Limit outdoor activity and exercise, especially during the hottest times of day. Avoid going outside between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m.
  • Wear loose, lightweight clothing. You should also wear a hat to protect yourself from the sun.
  • Always wear sunscreen. A sunburn impacts the body’s ability to cool itself.
  • Avoid using an oven or stove. These appliances will make your home hotter.
  • Keep medications stored above 86 degrees Fahrenheit—hot temperatures affect medication stability.

It is also important to know if you or someone else is experiencing heat exhaustion or heat stroke. Learn more about the symptoms:

HEAT EXHAUSTION

  • Fatigue, weakness or exhaustion
  • Headache, dizziness or fainting
  • Muscle cramps
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Paleness
  • Rapid pulse
  • Sweating

Those feeling heat exhaustion symptoms should rest in a cool place (preferably an air-conditioned environment) and drink cool fluids, especially water. Seek medical attention if symptoms worsen or persist longer than one hour.

HEAT STROKE

  • Body temperature above 103°F
  • Confusion
  • Dizziness
  • Nausea
  • No sweating, even if it is hot
  • Red, hot and dry skin
  • Unconsciousness

If someone is suffering from a heat stroke, seek emergency assistance immediately.

Source: Community Mercy Hospice

KUDOS

With much appreciation and gratitude to those who joined us for the Mini-Conference on May 4 "Self-Care for the Caregiver." It was a great success! We had wonderful, insightful, presenters who made the most of our morning together.  Our caregivers learned new skills and left feeling refreshed and supported.  

If you missed the conference and would like to watch a portion of it again, you can visit our BCDA YouTube Channel to see the recording.

CAREGIVER BURNOUT

14 WARNING SIGNS OF CAREGIVER BURNOUT

  1. Lack of energy
  2. Overwhelming fatigue
  3. Sleep problems (too much or too little)
  4. Changes in eating habits; weight loss or gain
  5. A feeling of hopelessness
  6. Withdrawing from, or losing interest in, activities you once enjoyed
  7. Neglecting your own physical and emotional needs
  8. Feeling like caregiving is controlling your life
  9. Becoming unusually impatient, irritable or argumentative with the person you’re caring for/others
  10. Anxiety about the future
  11. Depression or mood swings
  12. Difficulty coping with everyday things
  13. Headaches, stomachaches and other physical problems
  14. Lowered resistance to illness

CAREGIVER BURNOUT PREVENTION

Now that you know what to look for, here are some tips to help you preempt caregiver burnout.

  • Ask for help. Needing help doesn’t make you a bad caregiver. It simply means you can’t do it alone (no one can do it alone).
  • Give yourself permission to take breaks. Get out of the house. Visit with friends. Pamper yourself with a massage. Take a long bath.
  • Take care of yourself. Don’t skip your own doctor’s appointments because you’re too busy. Exercise, eat well and get enough sleep.
  • Get up 15 minutes earlier and use the time just for you. Sit with your coffee or tea and enjoy it. Journal about your struggles and feelings. Meditate, pray, stretch...do whatever you want to do.
  • Make a list of your daily activities and tasks. See if you can delegate any of them. Perhaps your spouse can make dinner twice or a week. Maybe a friend or relative can run errands or help with laundry. People often want to help—take them up on it.
  • Check into family-leave benefits from your place of work. Take a huge weight off your shoulders by giving you more hours in your day.
  • If your loved one is receiving hospice care, ask your hospice provider about local support groups. Communicating with others who are in your situation helps immensely, as does opening up and sharing your frustrations—and your joys.
  • If an opportunity comes along for a brief getaway for you, consider hospice respite care for your loved one. Your hospice program should offer short-term inpatient admission for your loved one (meaning more than 24 hours and up to five days and nights maximum) to relieve family members or other persons who are caregivers.

There is support, there are shortcuts, and there are strategies for reorganizing your priorities to make you a happier person and a better caregiver.

THE BOOK NOOK

While each caregiving journey is unique, there is one certainty–you will face unfamiliar tasks and situations, and no training manual comes with it. As a caregiver you are faced with challenges and often question where to turn. "Caregiving with Confidence" by Pamela Reynolds, takes the guesswork out of caregiving, to prepare you for a better caregiving experience. The author draws upon her extensive experience with both personal and professional caregiving to provide useful insight into navigating the complex maze of caregiving. She outlines clear, practical guidance on the most complex aspects of caregiving in five easy to understand categories: advocacy, medical, environmental, social and financial. Also included are checklists and guides to assist you in getting organized and prepared.