Survival Tips for Carers - Carers Week 13-19 June 2011

It's Carers Week between 13 - 19 June 2011 and an opportunity to recognise the great work which is done by our country's six million carers.  Many carers give up employment, income and pension rights to take on their caring role. It can be a 24-hour exhausting responsibility  with little practical or financial help.  Most carers are also so concerned about the welfare of the person (or sometimes "persons"!) that they look after that they forget to look after themselves leading to exhaustion, ill health, anxiety, depression and permanent disabilty for themselves as well.    If you are a carer who has not had a holiday or a break for as long as you have been caring, and recognise any of the above then you are probably a victim of what is known as "carer burnout".

Personal Care : Washing and Dressing

Assisting someone with Dementia with personal care is one of the most common tasks which care workers are asked to undertake.  Many people resist having assistance with personal care as it is a reminder that they are not as able as they used to be and they  feel that they are losing control of this most intimate part of their lives.
However, care staff  are there to help not to take over and we encourage the client to do as much as possible for themselves.  The emphasis is always on maintaining everyday life skills and facilitating the client to remain independent for as long as possible.  Here are some tips to ensure that washing and dressing are as stress free both for the person with dementia and the person assisting them.

Five Easy Ways to Communicate with Someone with Dementia

As Dementia progresses the part of the brain which deals with speech and understanding starts to become affected.  It  becomes increasingly difficult for the person with Dementia to make sense of the world around them.  The ability to process information decreases, concentration reduced and they become unable to recognise what is being said to them or to articulate what they want.  It's all too easy for carers to become frustrated and angry when their loved one seems to have difficulty with even simple communication.  Here are five easy ways to ensure that communication with someone with Dementia is not a continuing battle.

The Truth about Handwashing

In recent years there has been a rise in the sale of hand sanitisers, antibacterial soaps and wipes etc and it is easy to become confused as to what is the best way to prevent infection. The easiest and best way to prevent infection is to wash your hands frequently and properly.

Keeping Safe and Well at Home

Looking after an elderly person at home is rewarding and maintains independence but keeping him/her safe at home can be challenging.  This post gives some tips on  ensuring that the elderly person is safe and well at home and reducing stess for carers.

What Carers should know about Incontinence

I remember many years ago the shock of discovering that my elderly mother had become incontinent. It just seemed an impossible situation and looking after her as a carer, I wish I'd known then what I know now. The majority of people who suffer incontinence are over sixty and older people are much more liable to become incontinent because of weakened pelvic muscles, enlarged prostrate glands in men, recurrent uniarary tract infections or simply that they have slowed down and cannot get to the loo quick enough!

Four Ways to Help Someone with Dementia to Eat Well

If you are looking after someone with Dementia you may find that he/she  is no longer interested in food or  forgets to eat regularly or drink enough fluids. . Many people with dementia experience poor appetite and this can greatly affect their health and well being.  Not eating properly can  result in weight loss, increased infections, greater confusion and a lack of energy.  To eat well and healthily the person with dementia should have  a wide range of nutritious food, enough vitamins and minerals, enough fibre, plenty of fluids and very importantly too,....choices which make eating an enjoyable experience.