FCA

Overwhelmed with Caregiving Role

I've just started to take care of my mom after she spent some time rehabilitating in a nursing home after she fell and broke a few bones. I'm fairly overwhelmed with my new role. Do you have some suggestions for how I can make things better for myself?

I'd start by making sure you have the resources you need from the medical care system. Ideally, the facility's discharge planner should help you with this. Resources include home care with a nurse and physical therapist and, hopefully, a social worker and home health aide to help with bathing, etc., if that is needed. The physical therapist should teach you techniques to help you care for your mom, for example transfer skills. The nurse also should help you look at your mother's care and see what could be streamlined to make your job easier.

The social worker can help you access community resources, such as Meals on Wheels or paratransit to get her to doctor's appointments. If you do not have home care, then I would call your local Area Agency on Aging, or, in California, your Caregiver Resource Center, and ask them what services are available in your community. If you have family or friends nearby, it will reduce your stress if you could ask them to help you, whether to do some shopping for you, stay with mom while you do errands, or just be an ear to listen when you need someone to talk to. My last bit of advice: Don't be afraid to ask for what you need!

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Communicating with a Person with Dementia: Set a positive mood for interaction. Your attitude and body language communicate your feelings and thoughts stronger than your words. Set a positive mood by speaking to your loved one in a pleasant and respectful manner. Use facial expressions, tone of voice and physical touch to help convey your message and show your feelings of affection

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