I am thrilled to be speaking at an outdoor in person event in Leonia NJ about the Five Wishes an important document everyone over the age of 18 should have. This is a FREE event pizza and drinks will be served. Please come join me and learn more about the Five Wishes.
Make meal time social time. The care recipient should sit in a comfortable position and continue to sit up for at least 20 minutes after eating. In order to promote independence, he/she should be encouraged to do as much as they can do on their own.
A balanced diet is important - high protein drinks, carbohydrates, fats, fruits and vegetables. Fluids are essential for hydration.
Prior to sitting at the table, ascertain possible need to go to bathroom.
Always encourage independence at meal time.
Position plate for ease, provide flavorful food and handicap utensils.
Bites of food should be alternated with sips of liquid (flexible straw is helpful) and small portions are more appealing.
If necessary, you can butter bread, pour coffee/tea and cut meats.
Notify physician if poor appetite is apparent.
Signs of poor nutrition: weakness, sweating, sunken cheeks, diarrhea bouts, dry and reddened eyes, swollen and red patchy tongue, weight loss, trembling and poor muscle tone.
Step-by-step and day-to-day care-giving for a family member or some loved one is not an easy task - it is complex, sometimes stressful, and it must be approached seriously and thoroughly.
Since 1997, I have specialized in Long Term Care Insurance Planning and in 2007, I co-authored The Caregiver's Handbook. The handbook is a simple and realistic guide for caregivers. In addition I am a Community Liaison for Hospice of NJ.
Getting Your Parents to Agree to Receiving Care at Home
Are you considering having a Home Health Aid come into your parents home? Learn from my experience and prepare.
The need: To have a home health care aide come into the home from 11:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m., 7 days per week. We were told by the Home Health Care Agency that different people will be rotating the nighttime shift.
Day 1
The home health aide was nice and knew what to do. She was age appropriate and communicating was easy. I did write out specific tasks to be done.
Day 2
The person scheduled called out sick. The agency sent a young lady with a shoulder issue. The plan of care specifically read, “needs assistance with transferring out of bed.” My mother sent her away within an hour. Fortunately, we did not get charged.
Day 3
This aide walks into my parent’s home and takes charge right away. She goes to the freezer and gets bacon out for breakfast. She grabs my father and very loudly instructs him to stand up straight. In addition, she used an entire bottle of shampoo to wash his hair.
She gave my father toast for breakfast! LOL - She will not be coming back.
After long, stressful attempts to get my parents to agree to 7 days per week of home care, they have now changed their mind to 3 days per week. Ugh!
Share your stories with me.
Section V in my book Key Solutions for Caregivers provides information on care settings and offers suggestions to remember when using Home Health Care Agencies.