Caregiver Support

Accepting and Managing This Difficult Emotion When Caring for Aging Parents If you were to list the top five emotions you experience in meeting the care needs of your aging parents, what would they be? Maybe you’d first think of feelings like compassion, love, and sometimes, even stress or frustration. Would anger make the list? In many cases, though family care providers might not like to admit it, the answer is a definite YES.  The truth is that a great many adult children struggle with the reality that their parents are growing older. Growing up, our parents may have exuded health, strength, and control, giving us an underlying impression that they would always be there for us. Witnessing a decline in their health shatters that notion, which might leave us feeling let down, disillusioned, anxious, fearful, and yes – angry.  As the tables turn and aging parents become the ones in need of care, family dynamics may become complicated. And the negative stereotype in our culture towards aging informs us that growing older is something we have to resist or…

Tips for Promoting Senior Independence and Safety As our parents get older, it is not an easy task to know what our role as adult children should be. We want what’s best for them, but if we’re not cautious, we could easily overstep our boundaries and find ourselves attempting to smother senior independence and parent our parents. This is especially true when safety is a concern. There’s a thin line to walk between affirming senior parents are safe, and supporting the independent way of life they need and deserve. After all, it was not all that long ago when our parents were taking care of not just all of their own needs, but ours as well. The transition from caregiver to care recipient is typically frustrating and painful for seniors. Keeping this in mind, there are specific facets of an independent life that a senior may now be missing. And if we aren’t careful in how we approach these losses, it can produce arguments, hurt feelings, and fractured relationships. For example, one element of senior independence that is often compromised…

The Growing Trend of Male Family Caregivers: What Support is Needed? If you were asked to paint a picture of a typical family caregiver, you’d likely portray a middle-aged woman, perhaps preparing a meal, helping with bathing or getting dressed, or transporting a loved one to medical appointments. And your assessment would be accurate; studies show that throughout Canada, 56% of family caregivers are women, 58% of caregivers who are aged 65 to 74 are women, and 65% of caregivers 75 and older are women. However, there’s now a growing trend of male family caregivers. And while there are some trending differences in caregiving difficulties between the genders (such as a higher likelihood of discomfort for men in performing personal care tasks), all caregivers, regardless of gender, need a strong system of support. “Even though they are often hesitant, or less familiar with the territory, many men are now assuming the responsibility of caring for aging parents, ill spouses or spouses with a disability, siblings who require care or friends and lovers in…

Elder Care Mediation Eases Family Conflict While Caring for Senior Parents When it comes to working together to ensure the needs of aging parents are met, even the closest of siblings may find themselves at odds. Stress levels and emotions are, of course, running high. Add to that your past family dynamics, which commonly resurfaces during stressful times, and it’s easy to see how family conflict while caring for senior parents can arise. Some of the most prevalent aspects of contention among siblings are money matters, varying viewpoints on medical treatments or living arrangements, and an inequitable balance of tasks pertaining to caregiving, just to name a few. Occasionally, no matter how hard you try, you and your siblings are just unable to reach an agreement on exactly how to best provide care for aging parents. An impasse similar to this is actually quite typical, frequently stemming from past, unresolved conflicts and challenging family dynamics. However, there is a remedy many families are not aware of that may be extremely helpful: enlisting the help…

Summer Heat Safety for Seniors The warmer weather may finally be here, but too much heat is not safe for anyone. It is even riskier if you are older or have health problems. It is important to get relief from the heat quickly. If not, you might begin to feel confused or faint.  Older people can have a tough time dealing with heat and humidity. The temperature inside or outside does not have to reach 100°F (38°C) to put them at risk for a heat-related illness. Headache, confusion, dizziness, or nausea could be a sign of a heat-related illness. Being hot for too long can be a problem (especially without air conditioning) and can cause several illnesses: Heat syncope is a sudden dizziness that can happen when you are active in hot weather. If you take a heart medication (beta blocker) or are not used to hot weather, you are even more likely to feel faint. Rest in a cool place, put legs up, and drink water to make the dizzy feeling go away. Heat cramps are the painful tightening of muscles in your stomach, arms, or…

COVID19 - Tool for if your loved one has to go to hospital In the new COVID19 world we are faced with numerous challenges and changes. When we have a loved one that must go into hospital for whatever the reason, your access and ability to assist is now limited due to hospital protocols and restrictions to limit the spread of COVID19. It is therefore important that families prepare in advance when we have a planned (or unplanned) trip to the hospital. Simple things like cell phones, chargers, pictures, books to read or other comfort supplies along with important information about your loved one will be critical regarding health history because you will not be there to relay this to the health care professionals. Amy's Helping Hands has created our More about me tool which can assist families in capturing important information and having a checklist of items to send when you have a loved one that has to go to the hospital.