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Getting organized has been both a battle and a necessity in my case with my mom. Med organizers and dose containers can be set up for a week or more ($2-5 at the pharmacies). Proper filing of bills and papers leads to less stress and gives the patient more time to do things for their health. Bankers box files can be purchased at little cost. Shread what doesn't apply. Keep the environment clean & uncluttered. Help them exercise!!!!! Folks won't do it on their own without encouragement. Check with the doc as far as what excercises can be done but keep them moving. If you have multiple caregivers each can take a task on the list. Keep the list open for new tasks & add to it. Make a list for the patient too. Often they are glad to be involved and have an assignment.
Lots & lots & lots to know. Some you find out as you go.
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It turns out that I will be living not far from her, but not with her either. However, during the time that I live near her, I will be hoping to provide as much assistance as possible because she asked me for the help and knows her own limitations, as does her family.

Depression is a factor at times for her, and while her eating habits are being helped by the community, I think that some assistance with diet and with mutually enjoying an exercise routine we may be able to do together would be very helpful.

She is currently in an independent living community. That means that her food, cleaning and transportation are taken care of. However, diet and exercise goals will be very important for her, I agree. Support of the family is also very important and, I believe, will be there.

She has had aortic bypass surgery and heart problems in general which require her to be on oxygen 24/7. A lot of the contributing factors were probably weight and stress. She is suddenly losing some of the support she had available to her due to a family member's illness. She requires assistance at no cost in her finance details, diet, exercise, and, ideally, medication monitoring, I think.

I am concerned about the here and now and helping with these problems. However, I am also concerned about what to suggest as options to her or to her family if these problems were not to go away and cause additional financial difficulties for her in the long run.

Thank you for your advice, Carol, and for both of your concerns and interest.
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Hi, nobelisab. I am not sure I fully understand what you're asking? Would you mind elaborating just a little bit more about the care circumstances? I may not have any answers as my own situation is different than your post suggests, but I learn from sharing and hearing from my fellow caregivers. AgingCare.com is a great venue for learning from each other. I am interested in the topic you have posted, and hope you will share more.
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Family support and knowledge of what this person's limits are is essential. Lists of things to do can help.

Depression often follows a heart attack or heart surgery, so watch for those signs. Within the medical bounds, encourage the person to do as much as possible. Just make sure you know limitations.

In most cases, the sooner there is some normalcy, the better. But make better eating habits and proper exercise as attractive as possible. Join in as a partner.
Thanks for asking.
Carol
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