Summer is a great season for fun activities, but too much heat and sun can be a risk to your health. Here’s how to enjoy summer while staying healthy.
Physical activity offers a variety of benefits for people of all ages.
Not getting enough sleep at night can negatively affect your mental health.
The stress of caring for a loved one can take a toll on your mental health and even impact your physical health. When left unmanaged, this can lead to burnout. Here’s how to tell if caregiving may be negatively affecting your mental health, and steps you can take to improve your mental well-being.
We know from firsthand experience that managing healthcare info isn’t the most exciting part of the day. Whether you’re caring for yourself or someone else, here are helpful steps you can take to stay organized and reduce stress.
Practicing self-care and prioritizing “me time” is a great way to reduce stress, prevent burnout, and support physical and mental well-being. Not sure where to start? Here are seven ways to practice self-care.
Many caregivers don’t receive family support. Here are 3 tactics from Happy Healthy Caregiver, for decision-making and day-to-day caregiving.
Supplement is a broad term used for herbs, minerals, vitamins, etc. taken to support or enhance health or nutrition. It is essential to be aware that these are not regulated in the same way pharmaceutical medications are.
Start by having an honest conversation with the people you love. Let them know what the most important thing is for you when you think about your end of life.
Caregiving can add to your out-of-pocket costs if you need to help with groceries or even take time off from work. There are programs designed to help relieve this burden:
These steps will help make sure that medications are taken safely and appropriately
If you’re caring for someone who needs assistance getting in and out of bed or to their wheelchair and back, you need to know how to do that safely, without causing injury. At times, being moved, moving improperly, or staying in one position for too long can cause tears in the skin or ulcers.
Tips for healthy food options and time saving habits to avoid being overwhelmed.
Caring for someone who needs help at mealtime can be stressful. They may not want to eat, or maybe they’re complaining about the meal. The issues around mealtime can vary, so here are some tips to get mealtime back on track
Many health issues and medications can lead to reduced appetite, making mealtime a source of frustration for both caregivers and those they’re caring for. Lack of appetite may make it challenging to maintain adequate nutrition. These tips can help.
Returning home after a procedure or hospitalization can be new territory for everyone involved. You can avoid confusion and stress by having the medication list, care instructions, and contact list for the person you’re caring for easily accessible. These documents will help you feel more prepared and help to keep the person you're caring for safe during their recovery.
If you care for someone with incontinence, you may find it stressful or frustrating. You are not alone--in fact, many caregivers share your feelings. Incontinence can be a source of stress and embarrassment for the person receiving care as well.
According to the CDC, 1 in 6 adults will experience depression and it affects 16 million adults in the US every year. Depression can affect anyone, from any background, at any age.
Regardless of how much support is needed by the person you’re caring for, having a medication management system is important. Setting up a medication schedule and adding reminders can help make sure you stay on track with medications.
Easy access to medical information before you need it is the best way to avoid complications and annoyances when the caregivers aren't all in the same place.
Here are some evidence-based tips to help avoid burnout.
Our ability to move around safely at home can change after a new diagnosis or surgery, as we age, or when we’re taking certain medications. As a caregiver, you can help to spot potential tripping hazards or identify ways to make using the bathroom safer and easier for the person you’re caring for.
Treatment plans for urinary incontinence vary, and a plan could include medications, surgeries, devieces, or physical therapy. It’s important to know that you have options.
No one wants to experience incontinence or have to deal with the effects of it. Before approaching anyone about incontinence, consider how you would want to be approached.
One of the most supportive things you can do as a remote caregiver is to offer the primary caregiver a break.
It can be challenging to figure out where to start, whether faced with a new diagnosis or establishing care.
When the person you're caring for needs help dressing, it's important to communicate early and often about preferences. Clothing that is easy to put on and manage and that fits well is important for safety.
Bathing is an important part of daily living. For some, a change in the ability to bathe independently may be viewed as a normal part of aging. For others, it may be very distressing to require assistance.
Caregiving for someone that doesn't live close by can be challenging.
Understanding the financial situation of the person you care for will make you better prepared when potential issues arise. Start the conversation by asking if they have plans in place for unexpected medical costs.
Have a conversation early on if there are any concerns about driving safety. Indications that it might be time to have the driving conversation include starting new medications that affect cognition, worsening eyesight, or other physical limitations that could make driving unsafe.
Helping someone get dressed is an opportunity to notice new physical and mental problems as well as to observe changes over time. Helping with dressing is also an important opportunity to identify new or worsening issues. Addressing these changes as soon as possible may improve long-term outcomes.
There are many reasons the person you’re caring for may need a wheelchair. The way you transfer someone from the bed to the wheelchair may vary based on why the wheelchair is needed.
Bathing is an important part of daily living. For some, a change in the ability to bathe independently may be viewed as a normal part of aging. For others, it may be very distressing to require bathing assistance. For those helping with bathing or hygiene tasks, a variety of emotions and concerns are normal.
