CAREjourney Blog

The holidays are here! As a family caregiver, our “to do” lists are long. Looking for ideas on how to save time as you care for your loved ones and try to enjoy the holidays? Here are a few ideas: Presents to wrap? Pull out the gifts, paper, tape and other supplies and ask your [...]

October is the month you start to see posted signs stating, “Flu Shot Available.”  So, are you getting the shot? Are you at risk to get the dreaded flu?  Should you be vaccinated? For our family, the answer to these questions is always “YES!”  We had to quarantine our house years ago when the flu [...]

The CAREjourney.com Team has been asked lately how to deal with non-supportive family members. Maybe your brother does not think Mom needs to have an outside caregiver come and help her with normal activities such as dressing or bathing. Maybe your sister is in denial about the need to add ADA approved grab bars to [...]

What if you could not bathe yourself?  What if you could not dress yourself without assistance?  What if you experienced so much pain when you walked, you decide to not eat lunch or dinner because it’s too much effort to get to the kitchen?  What if you were loosing your independence instead of your loved [...]

How do you know if it is time to seek assistance for your loved one?  The important question to ask is, “Are mom and dad safe?”  Here are just few signs it may be time to hire assistance: Falls repeatedly  (watch for pressure sores) Challenging to get in and out of a chair or bed [...]

As family caregivers, we can get locked into a rut and forget that we have a support system right in front of us…our family and friends.  Often, they will let you know that they are there to help you, but a typical response is to say, “Thanks!” and never let them know when you need [...]

Here is a true, yet common story: A woman’s loved one was diagnosed with an untreatable stage 4 cancer.  The doctors said it was time to explore hospice options.  She started looking for a hospice referral and a ‘home health’ referral.  As she described her needs for ‘home health’, she described needing someone to be [...]

Question:  Which situation may require assistance from a home health agency? Knee replacement Returning home from the hospital Caring for a wound A recent fall Living with a feeding tube All of the above Answer:  6.  All of the above. A home health agency can help through a very challenging time.  They provide a variety [...]

Doctors make a significant contribution to your “Caregiving Team”.  Every team needs to have a General Physician (GP) who specializes in the phase of life your loved one is in.  For instance, an aging parent needs a doctor that specializes in geriatrics. It is important the GP has a holistic approach, or considers all of [...]