Great foods for elderly diabetics

Great foods for elderly diabetics

Great foods for elderly diabetics

Great foods for elderly diabeticsThe risk of diabetes increases significantly for those over 60 years old. Half of all diabetes cases occur in people older than 55 years of age, and nearly twenty percent of the U.S. population over 60 has diabetes.

If you’re aging mother or father has been diagnosed, there are ways that you can help them by improving their diet. Diet coupled with regular exercise and prescribed medications are key to keeping your loved one’s diabetes under control. The American Diabetes Association offers a list of super foods for both type 1 and type 2 diabetics.

These foods contain nutrients that are needed by people with diabetes like calcium, potassium, magnesium and vitamins A, C and E. Many of the selections are also high in fiber to keep glycemic index low to avoid spikes in blood sugar. Other benefits of these foods are keeping cholesterol and blood pressure in check, which helps with overall health.

Beans

It really doesn’t matter what type of beans you eat — they’re all great for you. They’re high in fiber. In just a half-cup you can get one-third of your daily requirement. Beans also provide the body with needed magnesium and potassium. Beans will also help meet daily requirements for meat. A half cup provides as much protein as an ounce of meat. Fresh beans are terrific. If using canned beans, be sure to drain and rinse them to eliminate as much sodium as possible.

Dark-green leafy vegetables

Spinach, collards and kale make great additions to a variety of meals. They’re virtually calorie free and can be enjoyed to your heart’s content on their own.

Citrus fruits

Citrus fruits contribute to your daily dose of soluble fiber and vitamin C. Some say that eating citrus fruits can also aid with smoking cessation if eaten immediately after smoking.

Sweet potatoes

These starchy vegetables are powerhouses of vitamin A and fiber. They also have a lower glycemic index than regular potatoes.

Berries

For such tiny fruit, any variety of berry is packed with antioxidants, vitamins and fiber. The article at the ADA suggests making a parfait by alternating berries with light, non-fat yogurt.

Tomatoes

No matter how you say it, tomatoes provide vitamin C, iron and vitamin E. There is some evidence to suggest that lycopene, found in tomatoes, also prevents prostrate cancer.

Fish (Omega 3)

Salmon is, of course, a great source of Omega-3. Just don’t consider a trip to Long John Silver’s with breaded and fried fish to count towards your 6 to 9 servings of fish per week. These types of fish are negating any healthful benefits they would have with deep-frying.

For the full list, please visit the ADA website. Here’s a link to their Living Healthy with Diabetes Guide.

Physicians Choice Private Duty currently serving Omaha, Eastern Nebraska and Western Iowa provides seniors and their families a complete understanding of the available care options and helps families maneuver through the challenges of the system. All Physicians Choice Private Duty services are directed by registered nurses or social workers with no long-term contracts. Contact us today for help with your senior care needs.

“Physicians Choice Private Duty solves the problems families face in finding home health care providers they can trust. Providers who will focus on strategies that keep parents in their homes. To learn more about our health care services, visit https://private-duty.firstcareco.wpengine.com/services/.“

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An overview of falls among older adults

An overview of falls among older adults

An overview of falls among older adults

An overview of falls among older adultsEach year, one in every three adults age 65-and-older falls. Falls can lead to moderate to severe injuries, such as hip fractures and head traumas, and can even increase the risk of early death. Fortunately, falls are a public health problem that is largely preventable.

How big is the problem?

  • One out of three adults age 65-and-older falls each year.
  • Among those age 65-and-older, falls are the leading cause of injury death. They are also the most common cause of nonfatal injuries and hospital admissions for trauma.
  • In 2007, more than 18,000 older adults died from unintentional fall injuries.
  • The death rates from falls among older men and women have risen sharply over the past decade.
  • In 2009, 2.2 million nonfatal fall injuries among older adults were treated in emergency departments and more than 581,000 of these patients were hospitalized.
  • In 2000, direct medical costs of falls totaled a little more than $19 billion — $179 million for fatal falls and $19 billion for nonfatal fall injuries.

What outcomes are linked to falls?

  • Twenty percent to 30% of people who fall suffer moderate to severe injuries such as lacerations, hip fractures or head traumas. These injuries can make it hard to get around or live independently and increase the risk of early death.
  • Falls are the most common cause of traumatic brain injuries, or TBI. In 2000, TBI accounted for 46% of fatal falls among older adults.
  • Most fractures among older adults are caused by falls. The most common are fractures of the spine, hip, forearm, leg, ankle, pelvis, upper arm and hand.
  • Many people who fall, even if they are not injured, develop a fear of falling. This fear may cause them to limit their activities, leading to reduced mobility and loss of physical fitness, which in turn increases their actual risk of falling.

How to prevent falls in older adults?

Older adults can take several steps to protect their independence and reduce their chances of falling. They can:

  • Exercise regularly. It’s important that the exercises focus on increasing leg strength and improving balance. Tai Chi programs are especially good.
  • Ask their doctor or pharmacist to review their medicines — both prescription and over-the-counter — to reduce side effects and interactions that may cause dizziness or drowsiness.
  • Have their eyes checked by an eye doctor at least once a year and update their eyeglasses to maximize their vision.
  • Make their homes safer by reducing tripping hazards, adding grab bars and railings, and improving the lighting in their homes.

Additional ways to lower hip fracture risk include:

  • Getting adequate calcium and vitamin D in their diet.
  • Undertaking a program of weight bearing exercise.
  • Getting screened and treated for osteoporosis.

“Physicians’ Choice Private Duty Assisted Living solves the challenges families face in caring for aging parents, with a focus on strategies that keep them in their homes. To learn more about our solutions, visit https://private-duty.firstcareco.wpengine.com/services/“

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New discovery could influence future Parkinson's treatments

New discovery could influence future Parkinson’s treatments

New discovery could influence future Parkinson’s treatments

New discovery could influence future Parkinson's treatmentsA recent discovery that suggests Parkinson’s disease is preceded by a period where healthy regions of the brain take over the functions of damaged ones could someday aid in early detection of Parkinson’s.

A recent study was conducted by neurologist Bart Van Nuenen and involved people that were clinically considered healthy and free from Parkinson’s disease manifestations, but who had a genetic predisposition towards Parkinson’s.

Parkinson’s disease is the result of the dying of brain cells that produce dopamine. The physical manifestations of Parkinson’s — tremors, rigidity and slow movement — do not occur until 50 to 70 percent of these dopamine-producing cells are dead.

Previously, it was uncertain why the disease took so long after onset to manifest into physical symptoms. For Van Nuenen’s study he examined

These groups allowed for a study of the preclinical phase of Parkinson’s, conducted with the aid of MRI scanners for functional brain research (fMRI scanners). During the study, test subjects were asked to perform various tasks while an fMRI of their brain was done. A control group of individuals who do not have a history of disease in their family was also tested. The findings were that both groups were clinically healthy and both performed the test comparatively well.

The difference, however, showed up on the MRI scans. The brain activity of the group predisposed to Parkinson’s differed from the control group. There was enhanced activity in the extrastriate body area of the brain — a region that remains unaffected in later stages of Parkinson’s. It seemed that this brain area was compensating for declining functions of other areas of the brain affected by the disease. This is the reason that the predisposed test subject could still move normally and suppress Parkinson’s symptoms.

Van Neunen sought to conclusively prove that the overactive portion of the brain contributes to compensation of the disease by also conducting an experiment using transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS). TMS was used to temporarily deactivate the compensating portion of the brain. When this portion of the brain was deactivated, Parkinson’s patients were unable to perform a series of hand movements correctly. The same test performed on a healthy control group did not have the same effect.

The test showed that it’s likely that during the preclinical phase compensation occurs and delays the clinical manifestation of Parkinson’s disease. Van Neunun believes that this discovery will lead to new treatments for Parkinson’s, which currently focus on increasing dopamine. With the new evidence treatments can possibly be developed that focus on therapy focusing on stimulating the compensation mechanism in the brain.

Physicians Choice Private Duty currently serving Omaha, Eastern Nebraska and Western Iowa provides seniors and their families a complete understanding of the available care options and helps families maneuver through the challenges of the system. All Physicians Choice Private Duty services are directed by registered nurses or social workers with no long-term contracts. Contact us today for help with your senior care needs.

“Physicians Choice Private Duty solves the problems families face in finding home health care providers they can trust. Providers who will focus on strategies that keep parents in their homes. To learn more about our health care services, visit https://private-duty.firstcareco.wpengine.com/services/“

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Cold Turkey: It's never too late for seniors to benefit from quitting smoking

Cold Turkey: It’s never too late for seniors to benefit from quitting smoking

Cold Turkey: It’s never too late for seniors to benefit from quitting smoking

Cold Turkey: It's never too late for seniors to benefit from quitting smokingIt’s a sad irony to see someone still smoking cigarettes who requires an oxygen tank to breath, but it’s a sight often seen around nursing homes. Seniors who think it’s too late to benefit from ceasing smoking are wrong according to an article in Everyday Living. In fact, it suggests that quitting smoking for seniors can be more beneficial than for other age groups.

Smoking risks to seniors

Smoking at any age is risky, but even more so for older adults. Some health problems exacerbated by smoking:

  • Cancers of the lungs, mouth, esophagus and numerous others
  • Weak and brittle bones
  • Conditions such as heart disease, heart attack and stroke
  • Increased respiratory infections like pneumonia and bronchitis
  • Damage to the respiratory system that can result in emphysema, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), as well as difficulty breathing

The American Lung Association has a number of sobering statistics concerning older adults who smoke. For instance: “men 65 or older who smoke are twice as likely to die from a stroke, and women smokers are about one and half times as likely to die from stroke than nonsmoking counterparts.”

Smoking doesn’t only affect the lungs and lead to increased stroke risk. The American Lung Association also states the risk of dying from heart attack is “60 percent higher for smokers than nonsmokers 65 or older.”

Benefits of quitting smoking for seniors

  • Increased ability to taste and smell
  • A reduced risk of heart attack and cancer
  • Fewer respiratory problems
  • Improved circulation
  • Not exposing children or grandchildren to secondhand smoke
  • Savings on cigarettes
  • Longer life and more energy

At first those who quit smoking may experience a decrease in energy without nicotine to give them a boost, but as their body recovers and begins to function more efficiently they can experience increased energy as their lungs and circulatory system begin to work with less effort. Exercising will become easier, as will everyday physical tasks such as walking.

Here are some suggestions to help you quit smoking from Everyday Living:

  • Use smoke cessation aides like nicotine gum, lozenges or patches.
  • Don’t go it alone. Seek encouragement from friends and family, support groups or counselors.
  • Try substitution. Often people smoke after set actions like finishing a meal. Set up small rewards for yourself at these times like a cup of coffee, a healthy snack or candy.
  • It’s hard to quit around others who smoke. It’s probably best not to hang around other smokers.
  • Keep physically busy and occupy your hands. Go for walks, play cards, or knit.
  • Stay away from alcohol while your trying to quit. Many people get increased cravings when they’re imbibing. Being a little tipsy can also cave your judgment and willpower and might increase your chances of slipping up.

Keep in mind that getting an elderly loved one to quit can be a touchy subject even if their immediate health demands it. Often smoking has been a part of their life for decades and they may get defensive. It’s best to offer gentle encouragement rather than nagging. This Thanksgiving remind your elderly loved one that you’re thankful for them and want them to be around as long as possible to share memories with you and their grandchildren.

For more Nebraska residents wishing to quit smoking more information is available from the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services at QuitNow.ne.gov.

Physicians Choice Private Duty currently serving Omaha, Eastern Nebraska and Western Iowa ” provides seniors and their families a complete understanding of the available care options and helps families maneuver through the challenges of the system. All Physicians Choice Private Duty services are directed by registered nurses or social workers with no long-term contracts. Contact us today for help with your senior care needs.

“Physicians Choice Private Duty solves the challenges families face in caring for aging parents, with a focus on strategies that keep them in their homes. To learn more about our solutions, visit us today..”

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Online learning helps family caregivers handle dementia

Online learning helps family caregivers handle dementia

Online learning helps family caregivers handle dementia

Online learning helps family caregivers handle dementiaIt’s often hard to know where to begin when caring for a loved one who has dementia or Alzheimer’s. There are a variety of resources that can be found online, from YouTube videos to blogs. Another resource at your disposal is an e-learning course. Each class can be completed within five to 15 minutes. No preregistration required and you can take the short classes at your own pace. At the end of each course there is a printable checklist.

The course will give the family caregiver a good idea of what to expect and offers specific advice on how to care for your loved one. It starts with a thorough grounding in what dementia is and the stages of Alzheimer’s. In the third section of this online coursework there are specific examples of ways to cope with disruptive behavior that may be displayed by the person suffering from Alzheimer’s.

In the fifth section of the course, family caregivers are taught how to keep their loved one safe in several ways by avoiding hazardous situations. This section also discusses financial safety and offers prevention tips.

Links to the coursework and sections of each session are below:

1. Understanding Alzheimer’s and Dementia

  • Introduction
  • What is Dementia?
  • Causes of Alzheimer’s and Dementia
  • Types of Dementia
  • Alzheimer’s and the brain
  • Symptoms
  • Diagnosis and test
  • Treatments
  • Stages of Alzheimer’s
  • Conclusion – Class 1 Checklist

2. Capturing Life’s Journey

  • What capturing memories means
  • Techniques for capturing memories
  • Create a journal
  • Use the journal
  • Lessons & self-care tip – Class 2 Checklist

3. Managing Behaviors

  • This section provides 14 lessons on specific ways to handle certain behaviors

4. Encouraging Engagement

  • Benefits of activities
  • Opportunities around the house
  • Types of activities
  • Techniques to encourage engagement
  • Using the senses
  • Lessons & self-care tip – Class 4 Checklist

5. Safety

  • Keeping your loved one safe
  • Hazardous situations
  • Financial safety
  • Prevention
  • Lessons & self-care tips – Class 5 Checklist

Physicians Choice Private Duty currently serving Omaha, Eastern Nebraska and Western Iowa provides seniors and their families a complete understanding of the available care options and helps families maneuver through the challenges of the system. All Physicians Choice Private Duty services are directed by registered nurses or social workers with no long-term contracts. Contact us today for help with your senior care needs.

“Physicians Choice Private Duty solves the problems families face in finding home health care providers they can trust. Providers who will focus on strategies that keep parents in their homes. To learn more about our health care services, visit https://private-duty.firstcareco.wpengine.com/contact/.”

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Real Stories: Providing care when it’s needed most

Real Stories: Providing care when it’s needed most

Real Stories: Providing care when it’s needed most

Todays post features real-life stories of how Physicians Choice Private Duty helped an elderly person and their loved ones through a tough decision-making process that ensured each persons individual care needs were met. Names have been changed to respect privacy.

Lynne

Lynne, a 94-year-old woman with a devoted husband, desperately wanted to stay at home. To do so, she contacted Physicians Choice Private Duty for help. We made some suggestions for a safer living environment and provided some intermittent care for her so she could remain in her home, with her husband, independent and safe.

Tricia

Tricia is a moderate-to-severe dementia patient residing in a long-term care facility. Her children asked Physicians Choice Private Duty to provide a safety net to allow her to remain in the facility but receive extra stimulation and safety support. By providing caregivers, she is able to participate in the activities in the facility and is safely monitored overnight to eliminate the risk of falls. Her family has peace of mind that Tricia is safe and cared for.

Deborah

Deborah, a dementia patient, is under the care of Adult Protective Services for neglect. Finding it difficult to take her medications, eat properly and go to the doctor, Physicians Choice Private Duty now assists Tricia with a medication reminder system as well as provides necessary transportation to the doctor. Other services were brought in to make sure she had food. Thanks to Physicians Choice Private Duty, she remains at home.

Randy

Randy is an elderly gentleman who lives alone and is in need of bathing and strength training. Physicians Choice Private Duty helps by providing a caregiver once a month so he is able to remain in his apartment. Our caregiver provides a bath, cleans his apartment, provides him with social stimulation and goes through his exercise program. He remains in his apartment safely.

Physicians Choice Private Duty currently serving Omaha, Eastern Nebraska and Western Iowa provides seniors and their families a complete understanding of the available care options and helps families maneuver through the challenges of the system. All Physicians Choice Private Duty services are directed by registered nurses or social workers with no long-term contracts. Contact us today for help with your senior care needs.

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“Physicians Choice Private Duty solves the problems families face in finding home health care providers they can trust. Providers who will focus on strategies that keep parents in their homes. To learn more about our health care services, visit https://private-duty.firstcareco.wpengine.com/services/.”

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November #agingchat on traveling with seniors

November #agingchat on traveling with seniors

November #agingchat on traveling with seniors

November #agingchat on traveling with seniorsAging Chat, co-hosted with Health Technologist @mark_hanson, is a Twitter chat held on the second Wednesday of every month covering a variety of topics related to aging and senior news and trends in societal technological fields. With the holiday season fast approaching, November’s chat, held earlier this week, focused on how to best meet the needs of seniors when traveling. We touched on the topic in a recent blog post about traveling with loved ones suffering from dementia.

Below is a recap of #agingchat, which we put together via Storify. You can read a full transcript of the chat here.

http://storify.com/EncompassSenior/summary-of-the-agingchat-november-15

“Physicians Choice Private Duty solves the problems families face in finding home health care providers they can trust. Providers who will focus on strategies that keep parents in their homes. To learn more about our health care services, visit https://private-duty.firstcareco.wpengine.com/services/“

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November is an important month for caregivers

November is an important month for caregivers

An often-selfless job, caregiving plays a vital role in ensuring the care and safety of our loved ones as they age. That’s why November is the perfect time to pay homage to the many caregivers in the U.S. — both family and professional — as it’s considered both Home Care and Hospice Month as well as National Family Caregivers Month.

About Home Care and Hospice Month

Started by the National Home Care and Hospice Association (NAHC), November was chosen to honor the ethics, empathy and effective work in giving quality in home care of the many professional registered nurses, home health aides and personal care aides all across the U.S. As a large portion of the population ages, Home Care and Hospice Month aims to raise awareness for the increasing need for healthcare professionals, currently one of the fastest growing industries in the country. Many Americans suffer from multiple, chronic conditions, and, according to NAHC, “By keeping them out of hospitals and in their homes, home care saves money.”

2012’s themes (via NAHC):

Home Care:

Celebrating Freedom: Quality Care at Home

Hospice:

Taking Care and Compassion to the Next Level

Private Duty:

The Right Care at the Right Place at the Right Time

Home Care Aide Week:

Celebrating Love in Action, November 11-17, 2012

About National Family Caregivers Month

Started in 1994 by the National Family Caregivers Association (NFCA) to celebrate family caregivers during the week of Thanksgiving, this annual event has grown into a month long appreciation of family caregivers, as proclaimed by every president since President Clinton in 1997.

“Day in and day out, more than 65 million family caregivers in this country fulfill a vital role on the care team,” says the NFCA website. “No one else is in a better position to ensure continuity of care.” National Family Caregivers Month is a time to thank, support, educate and empower family caregivers.

Physicians Choice Private Duty currently serving Omaha, Eastern Nebraska and Western Iowa provides seniors and their families a complete understanding of the available care options and helps families maneuver through the challenges of the system. All Physicians Choice Private Duty services are directed by registered nurses or social workers with no long-term contracts. Contact us today for help with your senior care needs.

“Physicians Choice Private Duty solves the problems families face in finding home health care providers they can trust. Providers who will focus on strategies that keep parents in their homes. To learn more about our health care services, visit https://private-duty.firstcareco.wpengine.com/services/“

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keeping-parent-at-home-omaha

How caregivers can vacation with dementia patients

How caregivers can vacation with dementia patients

keeping-parent-at-home-omahaTo say that taking care of a person with dementia or Alzheimer’s is difficult is an understatement. Even so, traveling a long distance with such a person is daunting, but not impossible. An article from U.S. News even highlights a woman who took frequent trips, even on a cruise ship, with her husband who suffered from Alzheimer’s, but it’s not for everyone.

People suffering from dementia become anxious easily. There are a lot of unknowns when going on a trip that may concern them. It’s probably best to travel when the roads and airways are less busy. If traveling for the holidays, this may mean leaving several days before the holiday to avoid the rush. This is a great idea, too, because traveling with your loved one will take longer than expected.

Even if you’re traveling alone with your loved one, you’re not always alone in caring for them. You can ask flight attendants or hotel staff for assistance.

A very comprehensive collection of advice on traveling with an Alzheimer’s patient can be found at the Alzheimer’s Compendium. The article makes it clear that traveling with a person with dementia is very possible, but there are some warning signs to look for in your loved one that will suggest if it’s better to risk travel or not. These include (via Alzheimer’s Compendium):

  • Consistent disorientation, confusion, or agitation even in familiar settings
  • Wanting to go home when away from home on short visits
  • Delusional, paranoid, or uninhibited behavior
  • Problems managing continence
  • Teary, anxious, or withdrawn behavior in crowded, noisy settings
  • Agitated or wandering behavior
  • Physical or verbal aggression
  • Yelling, screaming, or crying spontaneously
  • High risk of falling
  • Unstable medical conditions

If it is possible to travel with your loved one, here are some things to consider:

  • Test the waters with a shorter trip close to home before going on longer trips.
  • Never let dementia patients travel unsupervised.
  • The Alzheimer’s Compendium suggests bringing a bag of essentials available at all times. Pack it with medications, travel itinerary, change of cloths, water, snacks, activities and a list of emergency contacts.
  • Be flexible. Have a contingency plan that will allow you to leave early if your loved one becomes ill, agitated or wants to go home. It’s very important to get the trip delay/interruption insurance if traveling by plane.
  • Talking about the trip too far in advance may cause anxiety and agitation for your loved one.

When traveling by airplane

  • Have a recent picture of your loved one with you. Take one on the day of the trip so you can show people what he was wearing if he gets lost.
  • Talk with his doctor about medications that can be prescribed to keep your loved one calm. Also check if he might need something for travel sickness.
  • Speak with the airline and airport security along the way and well in advance of your trip. Discuss special arrangements and precautions you should consider. You can also arrange for an attendant to escort you through security and on and off the plane. Possibly arrange for a wheelchair if your loved one will ride in it. Keep in mind that most airlines ask for 48 hour advance notice when requesting assistance.

When traveling by car

  • If your loved one becomes agitated in the car, stop as soon as possible. It can be dangerous to try to calm him while driving.
  • Have regular rest stops and check that basic needs are met during those times. Stay with your loved one at rest stations, gas stations or restaurants as places that cause confusion may trigger wandering.
  • If possible have your loved one ride in the back seat with someone who can comfort them if needed.

At the destination

  • Be ready to prevent wandering and be ready to find him if he does so. Enroll your loved one in Safe Return, a program that is in place to help find Alzheimer’s patients when they become lost, or think about getting a GPS locator for him to wear.
  • Take a cell phone picture of your loved one every day so if he becomes lost, you can show people what he looks like and what he was wearing.
  • Take along a travel door alarm and consider using a childproof doorknob cover.

Traveling during holidays with someone who has dementia can be difficult, but with proper planning and preparedness many of the obstacles to traveling with a loved one who has dementia can be overcome.

Physicians Choice Private Duty currently serving Omaha, Eastern Nebraska and Western Iowa provides seniors and their families a complete understanding of the available care options and helps families maneuver through the challenges of the system. All Physicians Choice Private Duty services are directed by registered nurses or social workers with no long-term contracts Contact us today for help with your senior care needs.

“Physicians Choice Private Duty solves the problems families face in finding home health care providers they can trust. Providers who will focus on strategies that keep parents in their homes. To learn more about our health care services, visit https://private-duty.firstcareco.wpengine.com/services/.”

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Lessons from ‘Caregiverville’

Lessons from ‘Caregiverville’

Author/blogger Jane Heller is no stranger to playing the role of caregiver. In an article she wrote for Huffington Post, Heller tells the story of taking care of her husband, Michael, who suffers from Crohn’s Disease. From visits to the emergency room to attempting to corner ever-evasive doctors in the hospital, Heller offers humorous lessons from her time spent in the place she calls “Caregiverville.” And throughout it all, some things remain the same: It’s a stressful, trying experience that can often leave us exhausted and crying, but in the end it teaches us that we can overcome just about anything.

Some of Heller’s lessons:

  • “Nagging Wives Save Lives.” This one is for all the men “incapable of asking for directions,” as Heller puts it. Not only this, but they’ll never admit when they’re sick, let alone volunteer to go to the hospital when they clearly need to go to the hospital. ER doctor Illene Brenner, whom Heller interviewed, recommends never letting men come to the ER unless they’re unaccompanied by a sister, girlfriend, wife or mother.
  • “Box the Doc.” Have you ever sat at your loved one’s bedside in the hospital for hours waiting for the doctor to arrive so you can get some real answers to your questions? And if by a miracle the doctor actually shows up, he or she suddenly disappears before your questions are answered to your satisfaction. To alleviate this, Heller developed the “Box the Doc” technique, where she literally boxes a doctor in the room. “The minute they enter the room, you rise up out of that visitor’s chair, move stealthily behind them, plant your feet in the threshold and block the door,” she writes. “They’d have to barrel you over in order to escape and they won’t. So box them in and then fire away.”
  • “Be a Crybaby.” As a caregiver, sometimes a good cry is in order because “nothing else will do,” Heller writes. The trick is to cry when your caregiveer won’t notice. Find a place where you’re alone — the shower, your car, etc. and let it all out. The poor-me thoughts are inevitably followed by the realization that feeling sad is OK and won’t hurt anyone. Heller writes about how she feels after a good cry: “I’m capable of dealing with the challenges ahead. I don’t love the puffy, red eyes that come with crying or the blotchy complexion, but when my little jag is over I feel empowered, truly I do.”

Do you have any lessons from Caregiverville you’d like to share? Let us know in the comments or on Twitter.

Physicians Choice Private Duty currently serving Omaha, Eastern Nebraska and Western Iowa provides seniors and their families a complete understanding of the available care options and helps families maneuver through the challenges of the system. All Physicians Choice Private Duty services are directed by registered nurses or social workers with no long-term contracts. Contact us today for help with your senior care needs.

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“Physicians Choice Private Duty solves the problems families face in finding home health care providers they can trust. Providers who will focus on strategies that keep parents in their homes. To learn more about our health care services, visit https://private-duty.firstcareco.wpengine.com/services/“

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