“Caregiving 101” TV Podcasts

Caregivers’ Burnout

November 29, 2009

Many caregivers are actually passing on BEFORE the person for whom they are caring because of emotional and physical burnout. Immune systems suffer, caregivers neglect themselves. Forgive yourself and others. Realize you are human and may need some help. Delegate to others, hire help. Get rest, laugh, cry. Join Starr Calo–oy as she shares this weekly tip. Check out her Caregiving Tips books for more information on this important topic.

Marriage Promo

May 31, 2009

We began teaching marriage classes because of our own experience with marriage classes; they saved our marriage. We’ve been teaching marriage classes in our home for over 20 years and are currently writing a book on marriage. We’ll teach subjects such as “Knowing Your Differences” (men and women are different), “Personalities”, “Boundaries”, etc. My favorite word in the english language is “Yield”. You just need to yield to one another. Join Starr as she shares more information about the upcoming marriage classes and check out her Marriage 101 Web site for more information on marriage, radio and TV shows.

Oral Care

May 24, 2009

When people get older, they may not be able to brush their own teeth. Always cover mirrors in the bathroom for Dementia patients. Take their hand and help them brush their teeth or brush their teeth in bed. Brush their teeth in the shower when you are bathing them. Preserve their dignity – “Mom do you mind if I help you with this. I see that it is very hard for you” … smile … use antiseptic mouthwash for when you can’t do real good jobs. Watch for sores. Use toothets to sponge their mouths just before they pass away. It doesn’t have to be perfectly done. Use a natural toothpaste so it won’t hurt if they swallow some. Join Starr Calo–oy as she shares this weekly tip. More information on this topic as well as many others can be found in Starr’s Caregiving Tips books.

The Other Side of Caregiving

May 17, 2009

Sometimes the caregiver needs caregiving. It is hard to be completely helpless and dependent on others. Caregivers need to realize that it is difficult to be cared for all the time – especially if the loved one is well–minded. Put items on trays next to the loved one so they don’t always have to ask for help all the time. See our checklist on our website. Realize that some day this could be you and treat them accordingly. Caregivers need to get rest and separate from their loved one daily for a time. Join Starr Calo–oy as she shares this weekly tip. Check out her Caregiving Tips books for more information on the subject.

Safety Precautions

May 10, 2009

Hobbies

May 3, 2009

Add activities to your loved one’s life by looking into their past. They can still enjoy their life and not just sit around all day. Get out old collections or photos and have them tell you about it. Travel is great! Plan the trip with your loved one … it may be somewhere they have always wanted to go. Get them a tutor to teach them something they have always wanted to learn – find the tutors from colleges, schools, etc. Go to different sporting games or set the TV for watching sports on TV. Try to re–create the fun that your loved one used to have. Join Starr Calo–oy as she shares this tip from her Caregiving Tips books.

Resources

March 29, 2009

Make a list and keep it handy, including: Meals on wheels, Alamo Area Mobile Podiatry, Visiting Angels, ElderLawAnswers.com, diaper delivery, www.226serv.com. Join Starr Calo–oy as she shares this weekly tip. Check out her Caregiving Tips books for the full list and more information in our Resources section.

Caring For Yourself

March 22, 2009

If the caregiver is ill, they can’t take care of their loved one. Too much caregiving will cause our immune system to drop. Create a support system - line up services and family members that can help you when you need them. Stay healthy, eat well, excercise daily, take a break, get a check–up. Join Starr Calo–oy as she shares this weekly tip. Check out her Caregiving Tips books for more information on this important topic.

Dementia & Anger

March 15, 2009

Don’t argue with a dementia patient. See more tips in our caregiving books. Leave the room, change, and come back in as if you were someone else or had not been in there. Bring them ice–cream. You are really “managing” the dementia. Don’t rush them. Realize that they are not seeing things with a well, rational mind. You cannot convince them of your idea or change their minds. Don’t force issues such as eating. Join Starr Calo–oy as she shares this weekly tip and check out Starr’s Caregiving Tips books to find more valuable ideas.

Distance Care

March 8, 2009

Have a meeting with your siblings and make plans. Invite the neighbors, doctors, and attorneys. Disperse copies and post on the wall all important papers such as living wills and DNR’s. Plan nightly calls to your loved ones. Keep all important information available, (ie. Social Security number, Medicare Information, Doctor and Hospital Information). Contact Area on Aging if they need more care than you can provide them. Join Starr Calo–oy as she shares this weekly tip. These tips and more are available in her Caregiving Tips books.

Illness & Death

March 1, 2009

Make a caregiver notebook with all pertinent information for your loved one in case some one else needs to take over. Keep a list of doctors, medications, insurance policies and where to locate them, daily routines, eating habits, etc. It is just like you would give to a baby–sitter if you had to leave. You may need to leave just because you have a cold. Remember, you don’t want to get your loved one sick. Join Starr Calo–oy as she shares this weekly tip. See her Caregiving Tips books for more tips concerning this very important topic.

Brushing

January 25, 2009

When people get older, they may not be able to brush their own teeth. Always cover mirrors in the bathroom for Dementia patients. Take their hand and help them brush their teeth or brush their teeth in bed. You can also brush their teeth in the shower when you are bathing them. Preserve their dignity – “Mom do you mind if I help you with this. I see that it is very hard for you.” ...smile... Use antiseptic mouthwash for when you can’t do a real good job. Watch for sores. Use toothets to sponge their mouths just before they pass away. It doesn’t have to be perfectly done. Use a natural toothpaste so it won’t hurt if they swallow some. Join Starr Calo–oy as she shares this weekly tip. More tips on this important subject can be found in her Caregiving Tips books.

Personal Care At Home

January 18, 2009

You don’t need a license to care for 3 persons or less in your home. There may be issues of privacy and availability that are better addressed at a home than at a nursing home. Your loved one may get much more personal care in a personal care home. Our website has a checklist for what to look for in a home. Join Starr Calo–oy as she shares this weekly tip from her Caregiving Tips books.

Caregivers’ Burnout

January 11, 2009

Many caregivers are actually passing on BEFORE the person for whom they are caring because of emotional and physical burnout. Immune systems suffer, caregivers neglect themselves. Forgive yourself and others. Realize you are human and may need some help. Delegate to others, hire help. Get rest, laugh, cry. Join Starr Calo–oy as she shares this weekly tip. Check out her Caregiving Tips books for more information on this important topic.

Alternative To Consider

December 6, 2009

Viewers’ Questions

June 7, 2009

A single person with no kids can care for mom because they have more time than someone who has a family. What do I say? Don’t let them make you do it by yourself (list all the things you do for mom and for yourself – Ask them what all they want to do – if nothing – get money to get help doing it – sell the house and belongings to pay for help and for her care to cover the extra expenses.) If you are the only child or only one around, go to a support group. Offer to care for another loved one for someone else to make some extra money. Does it feel bad when leaving dad? What do I do? Just leave! Give them a treat at the end of the visit or leave at food time – (don’t stop going because you are feeling guilty). Does mom have dementia? Do you need a facility? What do you suggest? Join Starr Calo–oy as she shares this weekly tip. See the checklist in the Caregiving Tips books. The answers to some of these questions and more are in these books.

Dementia & Violent Behavior

April 26, 2009

Sometimes patients with Dementia will become violent – even though they may have always been nonviolent. This is only because of the Dementia – it is from the brain. Look to see if they are experiencing pain, fatigue, wrong medications or medication interaction, noise, soiled adult diapers, hungry/thirsty, bathroom need, stressful activity or time of day. Don’t argue with them! Join Starr Calo–oy as she shares this weekly tip. Check out her Caregiving Tips books for more information on the subject.

Changing Adult Diapers

April 19, 2009

Adult diapers are very different than child diapers. It is difficult to get an adult to begin using diapers or to keep them on!. Talk to your loved one to distract them while you are changing their diaper. Roll your loved one over one way and then the other to get them on the padding and then put on the diaper. Keep them CLEAN! Join Starr Calo–oy as she shares this weekly tip. More information on this topic as well as many others can be found in Starr’s Caregiving Tips books.

Caregivers’ Anger

April 12, 2009

The caregiver may feel isolated, abandoned by other family members, unforgiveness to the loved one for whom they are caring (resentment), exhaustion. Maybe they had to give up their job to care for the loved one. Get involved with a support group or counsel with your religious leader. If you are yelling/screaming, not touching, and/or neglecting your loved one, get help. Join Starr Calo–oy as she shares this weekly tip. Check out her Caregiving Tips books for more information on the subject.

Paranoia

April 5, 2009

Dementia patients often are paranoid and will refuse to eat, drink, take medication, etc. Don’t fight the paranoia, they will fight you more the more you try to combat it. They will eventually move on from it. They may not believe that you or others are who you say you are. To help: watch medications, sleep, foods (sugars/caffeine), keep them at home. Make routine exactly the same (as much as possible). Paranoia can come and go. Realize they are not pretending. Join Starr Calo–oy as she shares this weekly tip. More tips on this important subject can be found in her “Caregiving Tips A–Z: Alzheimer’s & Other Dementias” book.

Bathing

February 22, 2009

This topic is completely covered in Starr’s “Caregiving Tips A–Z” books. Don’t be embarassed. You MUST keep clean all parts of your loved one. Don’t rush baths and other grooming. Be sure they are comfortable and safe – do not leave them alone. Cover them with a towel to protect their dignity. Cover mirrors so they don’t get scared. Be sensitive to their needs. You may not be able to shower them. You may need to bathe them in bed or in the bath room. Distract them by talking to them and just clean them. Join Starr Calo–oy as she shares this weekly tip. More information on this topic as well as many others can be found in Starr’s Caregiving Tips books.

Dementia & Anger

February 15, 2009

Don’t argue with a dementia patient. See more tips in our caregiving books. Leave the room, change, and come back in as if you were someone else or had not been in there. Bring them ice–cream. You are really “managing” the dementia. Don’t rush them. Realize that they are not seeing things with a well, rational mind. You cannot convince them of your idea or change their minds. Don’t force issues such as eating. Join Starr Calo–oy as she shares this weekly tip and check out Starr’s Caregiving Tips books to find more valuable ideas.

Rummaging & Pillaging

February 8, 2009

Rummaging, pillaging, and hoarding are discussed in more detail in our books. They might think they are cleaning up or they may be remembering a time when things were scarce and are stockpiling. It is not about the value of the item. They may do this at their home or in stores or in your home. Have duplicates of hearing aid batteries, glasses, keys – things you REALLY need! Don’t leave purses in plain sight and remove clutter. Don’t get upset with them, keep a sense of humor about it. Join Starr Calo–oy as she shares this week’s tip. Find out more about this topic in her Caregiving Tips books.

Rummaging & Pillaging

February 1, 2009

Rummaging, pillaging, and hoarding are discussed in more detail in our books. They might think they are cleaning up or they may be remembering a time when things were scarce and are stockpiling. It is not about the value of the item. They may do this at their home or in stores or in your home. Have duplicates of hearing aid batteries, glasses, keys – things you REALLY need! Don’t leave purses in plain sight and remove clutter. Don’t get upset with them, keep a sense of humor about it. Join Starr Calo–oy as she shares this week’s tip. Find out more about this topic in her Caregiving Tips books.