Page 11 - Senior Times South Central Michigan - April 2018 - 25-04

It’s good
to be home
Elderly is defined as 62 or older, or disabled of any age
Senior Times - April 2018
Page 11
WHAT’S NEXT? JOURNALING
By: Anne Clark, Senior Health Partners
Spring is finally here and for many we start
to look at change in life; meaning I can now get outside and do more, I am more free to go places, or visit people without much hesitation because the weather is better. It’s always a good feeling to know you’re not “held hostage” in your home due to weather. For many family caregivers, this may also give more opportunity to make plans for the future that we often times put off.
In many conversations with family caregivers we discuss planning ahead and then making more plans because often times, the first plan that we think of as perfect doesn’t work out. And typi- cally when we least expect it, havoc strikes and we have to make decisions at a moment’s notice. So rather than having to make those very quick decisions, it’s a good time to start asking yourself what might happen next. I like springtime for these types of decisions, as we are normally feel- ing a little more positive due to the new season upon us.
If you are the family caregiver who has been providing all the care for your care recipient, what do you think you should plan for next? Is it having someone you know come and sit with your person? Is it hiring in-home services to help you provide the care that you’re giving? Is it maybe an adult day center to give your person a “fresh” perspective on life? Or is it simply,
I don’t think I can do this anymore? There are many more questions that come into play and we find we are questioning ourselves all the time – and typically family caregivers are very hard on themselves.
Food for thought; let’s look at the tough questions:
• Do we need a little assistance?
• Do we need a lot of assistance?
• Is the care that needs to be given “hands-on”
care?
• Do I have to physically have to help them?
• Does someone need to be there with them all the time?
These are tough questions because when we are in a routine, we don’t always think about everything we really do and what assistance we give; it’s just a habit.
The first step to help you discover what kind of assistance you really need is to write down what you’re doing during the day; everything you’re doing to help your person, whether that’s giving a glass of water or help- ing them to the restroom every time they have to go.
By journaling, you can also give better infor- mation and direction when it comes to hiring someone (even if the service is being offered through a community service provider, someone is still typically paying for the service). Many times, when many of us sit down and really think about the level of care being provided, it’s far more than one what might think they are doing.
While you’re thinking about the journaling
of what your day looks like, maybe even put the time of day these activities are happening. All of
these questions are really meant to get you think- ing about everything you’re really doing during the day to help. Additional suggestions to ask:
• What’s the routine when we get up?
• What time are medications given; is that based on when breakfast is served?
• Do I need to set up the bathroom for morning clean up or is my person able to do all these tasks themselves?
• Do I put out clothes or can they get their own clothes out?
• What happens in the afternoon; do we go for walks or exercise at home?
For many, getting some help could be as sim- ple as having someone come in who is familiar with your person – but just remember they may not be as familiar with the real tasks you do. I’ll never forget the family caregiver who once said to me (not verbatim); I never had children and I’ve never taken care of children (because that’s what everyone likened her situation too) or any other person for that matter; I’ve only ever cared for animals.
As a society we assume others were raised as we were and were taught what we’ve been taught but that is not the case. The more infor- mation we can provide to others who may be helping us along our family caregiver journey the better the transition will be from you pro- viding the care to sharing the care with some- one else.
Although there are more steps to taking the next step, one of the most important ways to help yourself is by realizing the level of care you are providing and what you’re expecting someone else to do. Journaling is a great place to start and it’s a good eye-opener as you’re probably doing more than what you realize!
Happy spring and happy journaling.
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