Coping with Stress

Family caregivers are frequently the subject of research studies about stress. Rightly so! As grown-up daughters and sons care for aging parents, they are faced with many new physical, emotional, financial, and practical demands. And this on top of their already busy lives!

Prolonged stress is indeed hazardous to your health. But you do have choices. Many adult daughters and sons report feeling they have no choice about caregiving. Although family obligation may be a factor in your situation, you do have a choice about how you handle your responses.

To learn more log on to our "Tips and Tools for Family Caregivers" page and then go to the sub menu "Coping with Stress" page. 

Got questions about home health care?

Do you have questions about home health care. We're created a page that offers answers to frequently asked questions to help you to be better informed. Home health care is a broad range of professional health care and support services provided in peoples' homes.

Go to our "Frequently Asked Questions" page to learn more about home health care and VNA Alliance.

Managing Medications

One of the best ways to help your aging parent stay independent is to help him or her manage medications. Not following the doctor's recommendations is a common cause of preventable problems. It is a common cause of falls and hospitalizations. It can also be the difference between generally good health, or a significant decline.

Go to our page on "Staying Independent", then go to the sub menu "Managing Medications". You'll learn about:
 

• Why Mom may not be taking her pills
• Tips for remembering
• Online tool for managing medications
   

Engaging activities for persons with dementia

It is usually obvious what a person with dementia is no longer able to do. But finding things your loved one CAN do may feel like a challenge, especially if memory loss is severe. Here are some tips.

Activities are important. They answer core human needs for

• identity and personal expression;
• life purpose and meaning;
• connection with others.

Boredom or lack of engagement may lead your relative to unsafe activities, such as wandering. Or to activities that frustrate you, such as "reorganizing" the dresser or tearing bits of paper. Or to a change in mood that may bring on agitation or depression.

Activities can be
• task oriented: getting dressed, setting the table, sweeping the steps, dressing a doll;
• physical: taking a walk, washing the car, dancing, singing, clapping;
• creative: painting, telling stories, making cards, stringing beads;
• mental: reading, doing simple puzzles, watching a nature video, playing bingo;
• social: having a visitor, going to church, reviewing old photos.

Ideally, create a daily routine for your loved one. Provide a balance of activity and relaxation. Too much activity itself causes stress. Remember that tasks of personal care, such as bathing and dressing, are activities, too.

• Consider your relative's history and interests. If he or she worked in an office, provide a desk and papers to "organize." If a homemaker, ask for help folding towels, dusting, or winding yarn.
• Focus on creating pleasure. Not on completing the activity or doing it "right." The goal is for your relative to feel engaged.
• Start the activity. A person with dementia is more able to participate than to initiate. Begin as a "team."
• Follow their lead. Stay flexible; change activities as your relative changes. If going out to eat becomes too much, just go for a drive. If interest in dancing wanes, just sway or tap feet.