Lotsa Blog

Contributed by Haley Burress

Caregiving, while rewarding, is extremely taxing on the mind and body. When so much of your energy and time is fixated on another, you might find that you forget to take care of yourself. In fact, you might even forget what it is like to function without doctor appointments, medication reminders, or sleepless nights. Instead of telling trusted friends and family, “I am overwhelmed, help me,” we tend to ignore or fail to recognize the problem until we are fully stressed out and unhealthy. Here are a few signs to look for in yourself, or in your caregiver friends, that can signal a need for a break or some extra help.

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Contributed by Tiffany Silverberg

Crises come in many forms – from natural disasters to home fires, from medical emergencies to building catastrophes. They often come with little to no warning and bring great personal, physical, financial, and emotional burdens. It’s during these times that we see people helping others. When crises strike, it’s wonderful to see communities come together to help those in need. Communities respond quickly to offer support and help those affected return to life in a new normal. Offering to coordinate a community of people to help others will increase efficiency and ensure that everyone’s needs are met. Becoming a leader during crisis might be the best helping hand you can lend. Here are some strategies for helping others help others!

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Contributed by Haley Burress

If something happens to your loved one that requires medical professionals to rush into your home, are you confident that vital information such as Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) orders or personal contact information are easily available for a paramedic to grab on the way out of the door? Having medical and emergency information in a central location of the home is extremely important when someone has complex medical issues that might require emergency care. Whether you are preparing this vital information for your elderly parents or for your medically complex child, here is what you need to know.

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Contributed by Dawn Allcot

If your parents are older and still living independently, you can’t be there for them around the clock. However, the burden still falls on you, as the adult child, to ensure your parents’ safety when they are alone. A caregiver is still a caregiver even if they don’t have to watch their parents 24/7. Reducing the fall risk in your parents’ home can help ensure they will be able to live independently while restoring your peace of mind as a child and caregiver.

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Contributed by Nora Stasio

Caregiving is not easy. When you spend your life engrossed in the well-being of another person, it’s easy to become overwhelmed and anxious. We are here to remind you that your physical health and emotional well-being are just as important as your loved ones. If you don’t allow yourself the chance to recover from the daily grind, you are setting yourself up to crash and burn. If you, caregiver, have an emotional/mental/physical breakdown, how can you possibly care for your loved ones?

Here are 7 methods that relieve anxiety and stress work for caregivers, so try them when you need some peace of mind.

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Contributed by Christine Binney

We all know the healing power of food when it comes to supporting our emotional well-being. Classic comfort foods like chicken noodle soup or macaroni and cheese often provide a nostalgic feeling that takes you back to the simplicity of your youth, while chocolates and ice cream might be just the fix to help you get over a breakup. But did you know that the hidden healing power of food is even more important to your well-being? By eating a diet rich in a variety of healthy foods that are packed with antioxidants and nutrients, you can improve cardiovascular health, reduce your risk of cancer, and prevent degenerative disease. In terms of living a long and healthy life, what is in your kitchen is just as important as what is in your medicine cabinet.
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Contributed by Tiffany Silverberg

It’s that time of year. The sun has warmed up and the lure of being outside grows stronger every day. It’s also a great time to get the whole family – from kids, to grandkids to grandparents and more – together to enjoy outdoor activities. The outdoors offer activities for elderly parents, but it’s important to know that certain activities can be waring and sometimes dangerous for the older participants. Elderly people can be easily exhausted. If you’re looking for a ways to get the whole family together, here are some tips and ideas for getting everyone outdoors in a safe way for all parties involved.

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Contributed by Nathan McVeigh

Now that National Public Health Week is in full swing (April 6-12), we are calling attention to a hidden safety hazard likely found within the home of caregivers and patients—namely, what’s inside the medicine cabinet. It is easy to overlook safety concerns inside a medicine cabinet considering the contents typically aim to heal and cure. That’s why it’s important to fully understand the medications your loved ones take, how to store them securely, and how to dispose of them properly.

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Contributed by Haley Burress

Ah, newborns. They smell so good, love snuggling, and give everyone a feeling of nostalgia and new beginnings. Newborns are pretty awesome, but let’s not forget that with a newborn comes two very frazzled, very nervous, very sleep deprived parents. These moms and dads need a lot more than an unannounced visit and a few new onesies. Help the parents of the newborn in your life feel appreciated and loved with a few of our gift ideas for new moms. We know that everyone is unique and different, but one thing rings true for all moms across the world – we want to feel like we aren’t in this alone. Before you plan your visit to your friend, neighbor, or sister-in-law who is a new mom, consider tucking in a few of our ideas into a gift bag to leave on her kitchen counter.

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Contributed by Christine Binney

Dealing with an injury not only affects your physical health, but your mental health as well. The physical toll and change in lifestyle will likely have a big impact on your emotional well-being. It’s important to know how to battle depression during injury so that you can focus on your process of recovery.

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