Caregiving

Things I wished I had known when I became a caregiver
Things I wish I had known when I became a caregiver
I was thrust into the caregiver role on April 4, 2007, the day my darling father died. My parents had moved to Arizona 25 years before but came back home to Maryland every summer. 12 years before, they sold their house, I sold my townhouse and, together, we bought an old farmhouse on 2 acres of land. Our own little nirvana. When dad died, mom just came home to stay - and, for that, I'll be forever grateful. She's now 95 and the pride of my life. My journey becoming a caregiver has so enriche...

All Hail the Underappreciated Caregiver!
We Need a Holiday for Caregivers!
Here's to the unsung heroes of adult diapers and puree'd meals! I propose that we have a holiday to honor the person who takes care of your mom or dad, or other person who needs it. I haven't suggested any particular date, because I don't know if somebody has already declared this holiday somewhere. Does anybody know...?

Helping the elderly walk
Helping the elderly walk - ensuring their safety and your sanity at the same time.
I am my 95 year old Mom's full time caregiver, and the job is getting a bit harder post her broken hip on November 11, 2011. After my initial panic at trying to figure out how to help her in her recovery from a broken hip, I calmed down and started to center my thoughts on how to help my elderly Mother walk. I promised my Dad before his death in 2007 that I would keep her with me as long as possible - as long as I could keep her safe and helping her walk is a big part of the latter part of th...

Helping the bedridden
Helping the bedridden live a richer life
Well, 11/11/11 was not a particularly good day for our family as our darling Mom, Gertie, broke her hip and has set me off on a quest to figure out how to help the bedridden. Since she's 95, we've chosen to forgo surgery so I'm preparing for helping a bedridden patient for as long as I have to. I've got plenty of time to work on this article as here we sit again in the hospital. Mom is in hospice with the best hospice service in Montgomery County, MD (Montgomery Hospice) but their inpatient ...

Caregiver and elder care article directory
Looking for support for a caregiver or one who needs elder care?
I'm the keeper of my 94 year old Mom, Gert, and I've amassed quite a few caregiver or elder care articles. I thought I'd put them into one spot so that those in need could easily find them. The below are not only my articles, but some of my favorite articles (on Squidoo or not) about senior citizen care and support for caregivers. And, if you're at all interested, you can read more about my evolution into caregiver for Gert in my lens Anatomy of a Caregiver - What Makes Me Tick. Or not... T...

Helping a hospitalized senior citizen
Ways to help a hospitalized senior citizen
It's a sad fact that, if you're a caregiver or have a senior citizen you love dearly, you're going to have to (one day) probably help a hospitalized senior citizen. Being prepared is the name of the game and I should know... My name is Lori, and I am my 94 year old Mom's full time caregiver. This job means that I'm there through thick and thin, through laughter and tears, and through hospitalizations. I've spent enough time in a nalgahyde hospital recliner to have figured out some tips to he...

Being a Caregiver
Caring For Others
Taking care of another person can be very stressful. It is a task that is better shared if possible. It can be done as a job or a duty. If it is only your job you can go home and rest your brain. If it is your family duty then it is your lifestyle also. There are many support groups, organizations, on-line forums and books that can be utilized to help you through the process. It is imperative that you take advantage of any help in your task of caregiving as possible.