Caregiving – Care Matters https://caremattersllc.com Care Management Sat, 16 Dec 2017 19:48:55 +0000 en hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.7 Care Documentary https://caremattersllc.com/care-documentary/ Fri, 10 Nov 2017 15:44:39 +0000 https://caremattersllc.com/?p=5098
As a resource for caregiving, public health awareness, and community support, Care Matters, LLC is spreading the word about "Care" — an insightful and deeply–moving film about the world of in–home elder care. Care Matters is not affiliated with the producers of "Care", and all video clips are used as permitted by caredocumentary.com.

About the Film

Care delves deep into the world of home elder care through the eyes of both paid caregivers and their elderly clients. Through personal stories, Care reveals the deep humanity and poignancy of care work, as well as the challenges faced by elders, their families and their care workers.

Source: caredocumentary.com

Attend a Film Screening

Care Matters is arranging to host a screening of the Care documentary film. Submit your contact information and we'll notify you about the days, times, and location of the event.

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Video Clips

]]> Caregivers Draw Support By Mapping Their Relationships https://caremattersllc.com/caregivers-draw-support-by-mapping-their-relationships/ Mon, 23 Oct 2017 05:19:59 +0000 https://caremattersllc.com/?p=4348
A care map is a helpful way to visually represent all the people and services involved in a family caregiving situation.

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]]> Do I Need an Aging Life Care Professional? https://caremattersllc.com/do-i-need-an-aging-life-care-professional/ Tue, 11 Aug 2015 03:57:40 +0000 https://caremattersllc.com/wp/?p=1731

Aging-Life Care Professional

If you’re struggling with the decision to use a Care Manager, it may be helpful to consider the following questions:

  • Are your loved one’s health concerns and required care becoming greater and more complex than you can comfortably manage?
  • Are there other demands or responsibilities in your life that prevent you from giving full attention to your loved one’s needs?
  • Will distance or accessibility make it difficult to supervise or monitor your loved one’s care and well-being?

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]]> Care for the Caregiver https://caremattersllc.com/self-care-for-the-care-giver/ Sat, 08 Aug 2015 17:28:56 +0000 https://caremattersllc.com/wp/?p=1743 Caregiver Stress

Caregiving can impact a person’s health; diabetes, hypertension, and pulmonary disease have all been linked to care-giver stress. This occurs when the caregiver focuses on their loved one’s health and do not sufficiently care for their own physical needs. Care giving and its responsibilities are demanding, so care givers must actively practice self-care to ensure their own well-being and to continue caring for their loved one. Self care for the care giver should include:

  • Favorite activities that are independent in proximity and orientation to the individual being cared for
  • Socializing with family and friends
  • Exercise and a healthy diet

Respite Care

Respite provides relief to persons who are caring for individuals with Alzheimer’s disease or a related dementia. Time away from caregiving responsibilities is essential to the well being of caregivers; respite care helps to reduce caregiver stress. Respite help is typically available through adult day programs or through respite care assistance programs provided by organizations like The Alzheimer’s Association. Respite care assistance programs also provide financial assistance to caregivers to secure respite services.

Education

Another positive method for CG coping is education; being able to anticipate the declines — with education about the disease — helpa to reduce frustration. An informed caregiver has more reasonable expectations of decline (symptoms, course, and basic characteristics of the disease). An informed CG can also prepare for the possible challenges they’ll face ahead as the dementia worsens.

]]> Dementia’s Impact on the Caregiver https://caremattersllc.com/dementias-impact-to-the-caregiver/ Sat, 08 Aug 2015 16:57:42 +0000 https://caremattersllc.com/?p=1725

Caucasion woman showing concern for elderly caucasion woman with a blank stare

Dementia like many other diseases affects not only the individual but also their family. Family members quite often become the primary caregivers as the expense for outside support is extremely costly.Primary caregivers assist the individual with activities of daily living (ADLs) and supervise support care through the responsibility of managing medical needs and additional supportive staff. These responsibilities are a cumbersome burden that often leads to physical and emotional disturbances for the caregiver (CG).

"Marital discord and divorce, depression and anxiety, loss of employment, restriction of social life, invasion of privacy, impoverishment, and substance abuse have all been linked to care-giving stress."
-- Albert and Freedman

Caregiver’s Health

As a family CG, witnessing a loved one progress through dementia can be heartbreaking as you see your family member’s memories disappear and skills erode. In addition to the emotional pain, providing care for an individual with dementia can be very fatiguing not only from the physical demands but also the mental challenges.

Symptoms of Caregiver Depression

  • Feelings of hopelessness
  • Loss of interest in activates
  • Irritability and frustration
  • Insomnia or excessive sleeping
  • Changes in appetite
  • Extreme fatigue
  • Feelings of worthlessness
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