Senior Insomnia
We have all experienced it. It’s been a long week, we have worked late, and the relational tension is high. And in the middle of the night, we are up thinking about all of it, unable to find the respite that only sleep can bring.
Insomnia affects countless millions of Americans each year. It is not a disease, per se, but it is a condition which prevents individuals of any and every demographic from living a full, rich life. And, as is the case with so many other conditions, senior citizens are affected worse than most.
Senior insomnia can be caused by a million different factors, and s often treated with just as many strategies. The emotional and physical challenges that seniors face are oftentimes more intense, and even with sleep aids, the problems can continue for a very long time.
So what can we do to help our seniors get some sleep? The best place to start might also be the simplest: exercise.
It might sound too silly or obvious to be true, but physical exercise can be the best friend of anyone who wants to sleep. Why? Well for starters, because it exhausts the body. Running, tennis, or even walking can dispel that pesky pent up energy that can keep a senior’s mind from racing when it ought to be resting.
But the benefit is not just physical. Emotionally, exercise can increase the feeling of wellness in any person, let alone a senior struggling with insomnia. It is undeniable: people who exercise on a regular basis on average feel better about themselves and better about life. This is not a coincidence. Exercise produces natural endorphins that make people feel better. They are more confident, and they are happier knowing they are helping their body instead of working against it.
All of those effects work positively for seniors battling insomnia. By getting regular workouts, seniors can increase the feeling of helplessness, sadness and depression. And at night time, this can translate to deeper, less interrupted sleep.
So before you encourage mom or dad to grab a prescription for sleeping pills, get them some walking shoes instead. It might help them sleep easier.
Attending a Support Group
Support Groups can be a touchy topic for many people, but they have been a lifeline for many more. When my father was diagnosed with a terminal illness, my mom dragged my dad to a support group specific to his illness. She needed to know all she could about what they were facing, she wanted to be as prepared and proactive as possible. At first my dad resisted strongly because he didn’t want to know what might happen to him, and he didn’t want to be depressed by what he thought would be a devestating look at his new reality.
They were both pleasantly surprised. My mom found support and encouragement from other care givers, and my dad was encouraged to find others facing the same challenges and pushing through them.
So why join a elder care support group?
For support group participants, these meeting prove to be more than just an empathetic experience, a sharing of woe, or “wow our lives are rough” sessions, but also creative problem solving sessions. Participants share what kind of home modifications, diet changes, exercises, and medical care had brought them relief and strength, as well as passing along current research, medical breakthroughs, and technological advances that might improve their quality of life.
Support groups are like a gold mine, giving you the chance to meet with other people who have done the legwork in your local area and found resources close to home such as doctors, caregiver support, social and community events, and educational or informational classes on your particular disease or related care topics. Patients and their family members can pass on names of highly recomended doctors as well as which medical providers to avoid.
In addition to being an excellent informational resource, support groups can provide emotional stability and encouragment, a safe and healthy arena to process through the difficulties of having a terminal illness or the challenges of providing care for someone who has a terminal illness. Knowing that you’re not alone, that there are others who understand what you’re going through can be so encouraging.
Avoiding Caregiver Burnout
December 1, 2009 by admin
Filed under Advice, Home Care, Long-Term Care
There aren’t many jobs as noble as being a caregiver! Indeed, it is a worthy cause, and one which society is beginning to celebrate more and more. But for the caregiver, the nobility and grace are lost in the sheer emotional and physical demands of his or her duties. It is exhausting, stressful work! Many caregivers work themselves to the point of exhaustion, and then burn out quickly. This is, appropriately, referred to as “Caregiver Burnout.”
Caregiver Burnout is not something that HAS to happen to any caregiver. It is an occupational hazard, but occupational hazards can be avoided! Here are some signs that you as a caregiver need to watch for in yourself:
- Are you frequently exhausted
- Do you feel helpless? Do you easily become irritated by little things?
- Do you ever start resenting the person you’re caring?
- Are you becoming anxious?
- Do you find that you’re crying more than you normally do?
- Is your health fragile?
If you answered yes to some of these questions, you need to be on your guard. Things should not continue this way. And they don’t have to.
Here are a few ideas to keep Burnout at bay:
- Proper Diet: Don’t underestimate the importanace of eating right! If you don’t, you won’t have the physical or emotional energy to keep up with all your duties. You need energy, just like your car needs Gasoline! So put enough of the right stuff in the tank!
- Exercise: This is another basic that is easily overlooked. Proper exercise helps helps to build and sustain your energy levels. So go out and take a walk!
- Do things you Like: It is NOT selfish to schedule time for yourself. If you don’t, you will only feel less satisfied and more upset. Your hobbies should not end just because you are a caregiver. Your life is not over. So find a way to actively pursue the things you used to pursue.
- Ask for Help: Contrary to the opinions of many caregivers, it is really okay to admit that you need some help. You are not responsible for the entire well being of your family circle. Let people know you need a hand, and they will likely give it. Remember there are some really helpful services like Respite Care and Adult Day Care homes that are designed especially with you in mind. Take advantage of them!
- Find people you can talk to: You need to vent sometimes. You need someone who will hear you without judging you. A support group can be extremely helpful! Otherwise, schedule time to talk with your best friends, or a family member who knows how to listen. And when you find that person, let your guard down and be honest.
- Learn this word: “No.” I understand it’s a difficult one for you to pronounce, but if you don’t learn to say it, you will end up taking on all kinds of thins you never wanted to take on. For some reason, people often see all that caregivers do, and think they are superheroes. So they ask the caregiver to do even more! Don’t get more stressed than you already are. Just say “No.” It doesn’t make you a jerk. Don’t worry, they’ll understand.
- Encourage Independence: The person you care for might be relying on you a little too much. Consider encouraging him or her to do those things they still can do themselves! This not only lightens your load, it encourages a sense of well-being and dignity.
Remember not to overdo it! Stay balanced in a healthy way. You don’t have to burn out! In fact, you really can experience the fulfillment of your incredibly important job if you keep things in perspective!
Understanding Different Types of Elder Care
October 21, 2009 by admin
Filed under Adult Day Care, Assisted Living, Home Care, Memory Care, Nursing Homes, Respite Care, independent living
If you’re looking into Elder Care options for you or a loved one, chances are, you’ve already been confused by the terminology. You understand what a nursing home is, but there are so many other types of care and terms to describe them, it can be very confusing. There’s Assisted Living and Independent Living; Home Care and Care Homes, Respite Care and Adult Day Care, Continuing care and Memory Care. The list goes on and on.
In order to know what type of care you’re looking for, you need to understand your terms. Here are some helpful definitions to some of the most common terms out there to get you one step further down the road.
Assisted Living
Think of it as a half-way option for who adults who desire independence but need some assistance. When health and aging make it too hard for a senior to live alone, many people turn to Assisted Living Facilities, which allow a healthy degree of independence for their residents, while still maintaining a helpful, supportive community around them.Adult Day Care
A community respite care service offered at staffed facilities to care for seniors who are in need of care during daytime hours. Oftentimes, these Adult Day Care facilities focus primarily on patients with Alzheimer’s or other types of Dementia.ADL’s
“Activities for Daily Living.” These are daily activities that most adults do without thinking, but can be increasingly difficult for elders as their health begins to deteriorate. These include getting dressed, eating, taking showers, etc. Home Care Services and Assisted Living facilities will often use the term “ADL’s” when describing the types of activities their staff will help with.Respite Care
A service that is offered to full-time caregivers who need a little time off, whether that means regularly or occasionally. Respite Care workers can be in-home nurses or workers at a facility such as an Adult Day Care or Assisted Living community.Home Care
Care that is provided in the senior’s own living environment. Home Care providers can offer a wide array of services depending on the patient’s needs, from skilled registered nurses who can deal with most any medical situation to Home Care companions, who can simply offer a helping hand and a watchful eye.Care Homes
Residences that offer different degrees medical care and and living assistance to the seniors who live there.Independent Living
(Also called “Retirement Communities”) A living setting designed for seniors who do not need medical care and want to maximize their independent lifestyle in an active senior community. Many Independent Living communities still offer basic benefits like hospitality and meal services, and are connected with more intensive levels of Assisted Living and Skilled Nursing homes should the need arise.Memory Care
Specialized care for seniors who suffer from Alzheimer’s or other types of Dementia. Short-term memory care often comes in the form of Respite Care, where an adult day care or a home companion can keep an eye out for seniors with memory impairment. Long-term memory care usually comes in an Assisted Living facility, where special care is taken to ensure the security, safety, and mental stimulation of the patients.Continuing Care
It has been called a “one-stop-shop” for Elder Care. Continuing Care facilities are wide in scope, offering many degrees of care. Many residents will join a continuing care community while they are still healthy, living in an Independent Living segment of the community. As their daily and medical needs increase, their level of care will increase also so that they are able to easily graduate to Assisted Living and Nursing Home care if the need arises.For Oregon Residents
To find which Elder Care facilities offer these various services in Eugene, click here.
Home Care Providers in Portland, OR
October 16, 2009 by admin
Filed under Home Care, Oregon Directories, Portland, Respite Care
Are you looking for elder care services for your loved one at home? There are many different options for Home Care in the Portland, Oregon area. The table below lists the names of the providers, along with the address and phone number.
Click on the name of the Home Health Care service provider for more information.
| Name of Facility | Address | Phone # |
|---|---|---|
| Healthcare at Foster Creek | 6003 SE 136th Ave | (503) 761-1155 |
| Holladay Park Plaza | 1300 NE 16th Ave | (503) 280-2216 |
| St. Anthony Village | 3560 SE 79th Ave | (503) 775-4415 |
| Addus Healthcare | 1827 NE 44th Av | (503) 252-0724 |
| Adventist Health Home Health | 5835 NE 122nd Ave # 155 | (503) 251-6301 |
| Amedisys Home Health Care | 16195 SW 72ND Ave | (503) 619-1020 |
| Kaiser Permanente Home Health | 2850 NW Nicolai St | (503) 778-2400 |
| Providence Home Health | 6410 NE Halsey St # 200 | (503) 215-4646 |
| Tabor Crest Residential Care | 7430 SE Division St | (503) 771-8058 |
