Contributed by Dawn Allcot
Are you a proud and self-proclaimed control freak? Do you feel like you have to do it all, otherwise you will let your family down? Are you overwhelmed by all the burdens of caregiving? Caregivers have a tendency to take on too much leading to illness, burnout, and even depression.
Contributed by Haley Burress
Have you and your family noticed that Dad’s hearing loss is moving from a running family joke to a more serious problem? Most auditory issues are progressive, so you are likely to see the signs of hearing loss increase over the years. But once you notice that Dad’s hearing issues are affecting his quality of life, what are your next steps? Believe it or not, with a little bit of research and a whole lot of finesse, you can have an honest conversation with him about his increasing signs of hearing loss. We’re here to help you get started.
Contributed by Nora Stasio
TBI stands for Traumatic Brain Injury. Those who’ve experienced TBI can tell you, the combination of physical and emotional pain it brings is nothing short of traumatic. When the proper functioning of the brain is compromised, everyday tasks can suddenly become a chore. Once familiar faces may seem strange and seemingly simple questions can leave the patient baffled.
Contributed by Michelle Hassler
Believe it or not, our bones are constantly growing and changing. With age, bones become weaker and less dense than they used to be. This change in bone density can result in osteoporosis. Osteoporosis is a disease that results in brittle and fragile bones that are more susceptible to fractures. This bone disease develops when the body neglects to produce enough new bone and/or loses too much bone. So how can you tell your bones are changing? Sadly, you can’t. There are no signs of osteoporosis. The best thing you can do for your bones is know how to build them up and understand how you might be at risk for these untraceable signs of osteoporosis.
Contributed by Christine Binney
One of the most important lessons that parents can teach their children is how to take care of themselves. Children need to learn to be self-sufficient, responsible and confident so that you can let them independently explore their worlds while staying safe. While it is tempting to want to do everything for your children, but you are doing them a disservice if you don’t prepare them to be self-reliant. Here are some great ways that you can help kids learn to take care of themselves.
Contributed by Dawn Allcot
All children love crafts and activities. Autistic children may need extra encouragement to play but once they get started on these creative activities, they will love the sensory stimulation, different colors, and the ability to see how they are affecting the materials. Taking part in these activities with an autistic child will also strengthen the bond between you and the child while encouraging social interaction and interaction with the child’s environment.
Contributed by Nathan McVeigh
The most pressing burden all caregivers carry is to meet peoples’ needs, not just by persevering through its demands, but by doing so day in, and day out. Whether it’s caring for the elderly, caring for someone with special needs, or caring for someone who’s experienced major trauma or illness, the physical, emotional, and relational demands of caregiving take their toll over time. While there are several strategies to lighten your burden, some are quicker to apply than others.
Contributed by Nora Stasio
When you’re a full-time caregiver, vacation days are few and far between. For many of us, weekends are exactly the same as weekdays. It’s easy to become exhausted after days, weeks, and months of the same busy routine. And when that fatigue sets in, it affects your brain. You may begin to find you’re not thinking as clearly as you used to. But that’s understandable – no, you’re not going crazy! You’re just worn out.
Here are 6 tips that should help tired caregivers stay alert and feel more energized in order to competently care for loved ones.
Contributed by Michelle Hassler
Losing a loved one can feel like drowning. Like being submerged underwater, you experience intense pangs of panic, pain and hopelessness. You manage to break through the surface – gasping for air, disoriented and weak. Whether the loss is sudden or anticipated, seldom are you prepared to deal with the intense flooding of emotions that surge when you lose someone close to you. Everyone copes with grief differently. Some people boldly or loudly express their pain, while others quietly slink through the hours hiding an all-consuming hurt. Knowing how to deal with grief after a loved one passes will help you to find a life raft, get back on your feet, and begin to navigate life again. Here, we’ll try to help you navigate the waters of dealing with grief.
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.