By Donna Steigleder I’m going to be brutally honest with you as I tell my story. I went from a nice person everyone liked to someone I didn’t even like due to burnout. Pay Attention, so it doesn’t happen to YOU. I Love My Husband, but I’m Tired I love my husband, but caregiving wears me […]
My Experience with Burnout Read More »
Recognize the signs of caregiver burnout, and when you do, ask for help from those around you. The support you need is a chance to get away from caregiving as the “Lone Ranger” for a while. Therefore, try to get away for a day or two or at least to share your caregiver
Reducing the Risk of Caregiver Fatigue and Burnout Read More »
Monitoring Vital Signs and Understanding the Respiratory Rate The purpose of the respiratory system is to bring in fresh oxygen and eliminate discarded carbon dioxide. If too much oxygen or carbon dioxide is in the system, the individual may show signs of confusion or mental health changes. Signs may include agitation, increased sleepiness, anxiety,
Vital Signs – Respiratory Rate Read More »
Monitoring Vital Signs and Understanding the Pulse One of the blood’s primary functions is to carry oxygen to all body parts and remove waste products on the way back. If blood is not circulating, oxygen is not delivered where it needs to go. As a result, the body’s organs are not receiving the essential oxygen necessary
Monitoring Oxygen Levels and Pulse Rate Read More »
Monitoring Vital Signs and Understanding Core Body Temperature Most people consider the average body temperature to be 98.6oF (37oC). Normal, however, is a range throughout the day based on your activity and can also be influenced by things like menstrual and sleep cycles. As a result, healthy adults’ normal body temperatures may fluctuate by
Vital Signs – Body Temperature Read More »
Monitoring Your Vital Signs and Understanding Your Blood Pressure Your blood pressure has two numbers: Systolic blood pressure (top number)- The top number of the blood pressure represents the amount of pressure the heart needs to push blood out of the heart against the artery walls’ resistance when the heart beats. Diastolic blood pressure
Vital Signs – BLOOD PRESSURE Read More »
Monitoring Your Metabolism Metabolism is how we convert food into energy and use that energy to make the body function properly. That process is essentially a chemical one and occurs through a series of organs doing their part to mechanically break down the food and chemically decompose it into energy. If our organs don’t work
Monitoring Your Metabolism Read More »
CBC – Complete Blood Count A Complete Blood Count (CBC) is one of the most common tests ordered. The test’s purpose is to check the count of all the cells in your blood and identify how many are present. A CBC includes a count of the red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets, hemoglobin,
Understanding – CBC -Complete Blood Count Read More »
Virginia’s Uniform Power of Attorney Act §64.2-1600 Code of Virginia What is the Power of Attorney (POA)? A “Power of Attorney” (POA) means that you have designated someone to act as your agent if you cannot make decisions for yourself. Usually, a written legal document spells out the agent’s decision-making authority. Most general POAs
Understanding Legal Terms Related to Medical Decisions Read More »
Relieve Pressure on the Skin – Rotate Pressure Areas Lift and turn your family member away from areas where boney areas press the skin against the bed or other hard surfaces, previously receiving all the pressure based on their sitting. When helping them move, do not slide them because sliding causes friction, which may
Tips for Preventing Skin Breakdown Read More »
Hallucinations Hallucinations occur with mental and physical illnesses, often due to medications, low oxygen, or trauma. Therefore, don’t assume someone has a mental health condition if they start seeing something you don’t see or hearing voices you can’t hear. Waking up within an extended dream state or with hallucinations is one symptom that
Delusions Like hallucinations, delusions are difficult for both the caregiver and the family member to handle because they seem real. The person experiencing the delusion believes the story they tell about a situation. For example, if your family member tells you she had dinner last night in Paris with your dead Aunt who works
