Caregiving

A woman lays in her hospital bed trying to recover while moderating visiting hours.
How to Moderate Visiting Hours

Contributed by Haley Burress

Fortunately, when you get sick or have a newborn arrival, well-wishers are often in high supply. People want to stop over to cheer you up, snuggle the baby, or simply sit with you. Unfortunately, well-wishers don’t always know when to leave and let you rest. Whether you are welcoming a newborn into your home or are facing a serious illness, it is important for your own well-being to set up some realistic visiting hours. Once you put visiting hours in place and let folks know about the best times to visit, you will find that your stress goes down and you actually enjoy stopovers from your friends and family.

Continue reading →

A mother holds the hand of her sick child while she's in the hospital.
How to Comfort a Sick Child During an Extended Hospital Stay

Contributed by Michelle Hassler

For an injured or sick child, being away from home is a scary thing. Experiencing pain and discomfort while in a strange place with unfamiliar people can a traumatic experience – especially with the number of tests and treatments that can occupy the day. Whether your child is in recovery or receiving treatment, hospital stays are physically exhausting and mentally draining for all involved. However, there are several ways that you can help to comfort your child during an extended hospital stay to make their experience as positive and comfortable as possible.

Continue reading →

A husband and wife are cleaning their kitchen after reading how to organize your home for spring cleaning.
Spring Cleaning: Organize Your Home for Multigenerational Living

Contributed by Michelle Hassler

Spring serves as a symbol for rebirth, renewal, and rejuvenation. When could be a better time to organize your home? Before your calendar becomes flooded with summer activities and outings, dedicate some time toward meaningful organization. In a multigenerational household, a diverse amount of needs must be met each day. Organization will help to encourage independence, avoid confusion and promote a harmonious living space.

Continue reading →

Two men ask for help from each other while sitting on a park bench.
Learning How to Ask for Help From “Strangers”

Contributed by Nora Stasio

The other day, I was telling my Grandmother about Lotsa Helping Hands. “If you’re going through a hard time, you can find volunteers from your area to come and give you a hand with things,” I explained.

 

“I don’t like that,” she said. “Strangers coming to your house?”


 Continue reading →

When faced with the hospital waiting room, it's important to have an emergency bag full of things you'll need during an impromptu hospital stay.
10 Items to Have In Your Emergency Bag

Contributed By Dawn Allcot

If you’re a caregiver, you never know when a midnight emergency room visit will result in hours in the emergency room waiting area or even a hospital stay for your loved one. Likewise, if you’re a caregiver who lives apart from your aging parent, you never know when you’ll be called to stay the night in their home. In either of these scenarios, having an emergency bag packed in advance saves time and energy. Here are 10 things to keep in your emergency bag. Keep your emergency bag in your car at all times so you will always be prepared for any contingency, wherever you are.

Continue reading →

This hospital room, complete with a hospital bed, TV, and nice view, will be more enjoyable when you follow our hospital checklist.
Your Hospital Checklist for Checking Into Surgery

Contributed by Christine Binney

There’s no doubt about it; heading into surgery is scary. Even if you have a trusted doctor, great statistics for success and a strong network of support, surgery is still extremely nerve-wracking. The good news is that being well prepared to check into the hospital can help alleviate much of your anxiety. Use this handy hospital checklist so you can feel confident and prepared when checking into surgery.

Continue reading →

It's important to get the vital information to the right people when crisis hits.
Vital Information: What Caregivers Need to Know

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.

Continue reading →

With a handful of medications that may not be up-to-date, it's time to take the Medicine Cabinet Clean-out Challenge.
Medicine Cabinet Clean-Out Guide

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.

Continue reading →

Parents hiking with their special needs child and his sibling.
How to Help a Parent with a Special Needs Child

Contributed by Dawn Allcot

Having a special needs child offers special blessings, along with special challenges. If you’ve been watching a friend struggle with a child with autism, Down’s Syndrome, Muscular Dystrophy or any other condition, you may be unsure how to help.

Guess what? Most parents of special needs children could use the same kind of help as other parents:  a healthy meal delivered to lighten their weekday cooking load, daily housekeeping, weekly grocery delivery, or just an ear to listen when they need a friend.

Continue reading →