Helpful Hints: Caregiving

• When dealing with older people, it is important to give choices. Often they have lost certain abilities and feel that all control has been taken away. Allowing people to make decisions, on even the smallest things, can make a huge difference in their attitude. For example: “Would you like blueberries, or orange wedges with breakfast?” “Do you want to wear the black or striped pants?” Being allowed to decide little things can help others retain what’s important: their dignity.
• If you are the primary caregiver for a friend or family member, it is very important to take time for yourself. Get a massage, take a walk, read a book. You need to first take care of yourself, so you can provide the best care for your loved one. A few hours away can do wonders! Remember, burnout is not your friend.  (See our article “Caregiver Survival”.)
• When using a walker, encourage your loved one to stand with most of their body inside the walker, with elbows slightly bent.  Have them put their shoulders back and pull their abdomen in, while looking straight ahead, not at the floor.  This will utilize core muscles, help with balance, and prevent dizziness.  Prompt them to step in to the middle of the walker before moving it forward.  Also, when assisting someone with a walker, a gentle touch on the lower back is a reminder to stand up straight.
• Allow others to do as much as they can for themselves.  Remember the motto: “Use it or lose it.”  The more individuals do, the better.  Remain sensitive to ones abilities on a daily/hourly basis.  A person may have more strength in the morning than the afternoon, or vice versa. Assure them that you’re there if, and when, they need you.
• When using a chair or wheelchair and coming to a standing position, have your loved one put their hands on the arms of the chair to push up. Try not to grab their hands and pull them up as this not only pulls on their shoulders and wrists, but can throw both of you off balance.
• To prevent choking when drinking, encourage sitting up and bending forward so there is a clear pathway down the throat for liquids and solid foods.  No talking while eating, and chew thoroughly.
• For no longer used medications, consider donating to The Starfish Project.  They collect certain medicines to give to clinics in Nigeria. Visit www.thestarfishproject.org for a prepaid shipping label to share meds with those in need.
• For someone who is bedbound, it is important to change their position at least once every two hours to prevent pressure sores from developing.   When legs are together, place a pillow between the knees.  Keep the head of the bed as flat as possible, as raising the head causes the body to slump down, which increases shearing force on the skin.  When on their back, use a pillow propped under the ankles to reduce pressure on the heels.
• Gentle massage two to three times a day, increases circulation and prevents skin from breaking down.  Use lotion liberally, but avoid massaging any protruding bones.
• For someone who is often sitting in a wheelchair, or lying in bed, cushions made of sheepskin, foam, or gel can be used to make them more comfortable, and reduce pressure on the skin.
• In case of emergency, it is always a good idea to have a current list of medications, including dosage information, available.  This should include all prescriptions, over-the-counter meds, vitamins, and herbal supplements taken.  Other important records to have on hand: A list of allergies (including medicines as well as latex, etc.), major surgeries, doctors’ names and phone numbers, the person’s date of birth, and contact numbers for next of kin &/or healthcare proxy.
• Proper hydration is very important for overall health.  An indication of dehydration is dark urine. Ideally, it should be light to clear, and odorless.  Encourage drinking water.  To make it more appealing, add a slice of lime, lemon, or tangerine, or a splash of fruit juice.  Fruits and vegetables are also good sources of necessary liquids.
• For someone who is at risk for falling, using a gait belt can provide extra security and stability.  It should fit tightly enough around the waist for only one hand to fit between the belt and the person’s body.