Dear Friends,
We head into June with thoughts of summer which for many of us has been a long time coming. The summer months make caregiving a bit easier for most of us, especially those of us in cold climates. At least we don't have to worry about pushing wheelchairs through snow, or having Mom or Dad - or even us - slip on the ice and get hurt.
However, summer can bring safety concerns as well. Aging folks tend to get dehydrated easily, often because their sense of thirst has diminished. Heat will make dehydration much more likely. Heat stroke is also a threat to many an elder, even during times when younger people feel fairly comfortable.
Keeping an eye on elders during hot weather is essential. I still remember my mother-in-law sitting in her condominium with the windows closed and the air conditioner turned off. No matter how often someone checked on her and set things right - generally by putting the AC on to cool and move the air without chilling her - as soon as no one was around she'd turn it off. There was never any explanation for this. She just thought it was the thing to do.
Needless to say, she took some close watching. This was only the tip of the iceberg with her issues, so she soon needed to move to a nearby nursing home, where she thrived.
An elder sitting in a stifling apartment is one thing. The danger is kind of easy to spot. However, when we take our elders out in the sun hoping that they will have a good time, we still need to watch them carefully. Offer liquids often. Keep the elder out of strong, direct sun for all but the shortest periods. Watch for fatigue, dizziness or other signs that he or she may have had enough fun for the day. If so, it may be time to go home where it's cool and restful.
Have a good time this summer and help your elder enjoy the nice weather. Just be cautious. You may want to read this newsletter's title article on heat stroke for more information. Even caregivers aren't immune to heat issues.
Carol
Quick Links...
Please visit our sponsor
|
|
Hello!
Welcome to Minding Our Elders! Our hope is to break
the isolation that caregivers often feel. We'd also like
to share ideas, comfort and information that will help
you along your caregiving journey. Thanks for reading.
|
|
Keep a Close Eye on Elders to Prevent Dehydration, Heat Exhaustion or Heat Stroke
|
|
Heat can be a killer. Rarely does a summer pass when we don't read about social workers in large cities trying to find isolated elders and get them into air conditioning, since many seniors are living on tight budgets and can't afford this so called luxury.
For these seniors, air conditioning, when the city temperatures reach the mid-nineties, is not a luxury. It can be a life saver. Cooler air and plenty of fluids are necessary for our elders' health and welfare. Caregivers must be hyper-vigilant during hot weather to make sure our loved ones have basic heat relief. Hiring an in-home agency can help at this critical time.
My Dad, in his twenties, suffered a traumatic closed brain injury because of heat, so all of my life I've been aware of what extreme heat can do to us. I've also come close to collapsing from heat, since my body doesn't cool efficiently. My running joke is that our ancestors came from cloudy England and our bodies haven't caught up to a sunnier climate of North Dakota.
|
|
Baby boomers are next target of Alzheimer's disease
|
|
"Most of America's baby boomers will spend their retirement years either with Alzheimer's or caring for someone who has it"-Generation Alzheimer's
The Alzheimer's Association recently released a groundbreaking study titled "Generation Alzheimer's: The Defining Disease of the Baby Boomers." Readers will be familiar with many concepts contained in this report, but seeing stark statistics and the agonizing human cost of Alzheimer's disease (AD) gathered into one document has enormous impact. "Generation Alzheimer's" aims to wake up boomers, telling them unflinchingly what could happen to our society-and to them-if finding a cure for AD is not made a top priority.
Hard facts from the Alzheimer's Association
Some cold statistics stated in this comprehensive report show us the stark reality of the disease if its effects are left to multiply. Consider the following points:
|
|
How to handle an elder's controlling behavior
|
|
Many caregivers have times they want to cut and run. They feel they've given their all to their elders, and then their elders want more. The parent wants the adult children to be there all the time. They won't accept hired help.
If the caregiver wants to go out with a spouse or friends, the parent whines about being left alone or wants to go along. The parent complains about the carefully prepared food, the specially chosen clothes, anything at all.
Family Dynamics Plays a Key Role
Sometimes the dynamics between caregiver and care-receiving parents are just a continuation of the family dynamics from the past -- dynamics that were always there - a child trying to please a parent who can't be pleased. The controlling behavior is abusive and likely handed down from generation to generation. This behavior is so entrenched in the family that it seems only therapy could change anything and family therapy is not likely to happen at this late date.
|
|
Managing stress hormones to protect our brain
|
|
's no secret that the fight and flight response our bodies have as part of our DNA can quite often get stuck in overdrive. No longer does this response, which causes the body to pump out hormones to help us flee danger, kick in only in life threatening situations. For many of us, daily life keeps these hormones flowing at top speed.
Gradually, as we age, the overload of stress hormones can take a toll on our cardiovascular system or/or our brain. Heart attacks, strokes and memory issues can be the result.
Yet some stress is necessary and good. According to an article on The Franklin Institute Online, "...an appropriate stress response is a healthy and necessary part of life. One of the things it does is to release norepinephrine...(which) is needed to create new memories. It improves mood. Problems feel more like challenges, which encourages creative thinking."
|
|
About Carol
|
|
Caregiving expert Carol Bradley Bursack, Author,
speaker and columnist, presents a collection of
articles, stories, news and research for you to
browse. Please check the blog and Web site links for
more information and feel free to email Carol at
carol@mindingourelders.com to chat or ask
questions. Minding Our Elders is a registered
trademark.
If your group or organization would like to buy "Minding
Our Elders: Caregivers Share Their Personal Stories"
in bulk, please email carol@mindingourelders.com
for information. Bulk rates are available.
|
|
|
