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Category: Caregivers

With over 65 million Americans acting as caregivers, it can be a selfless job that usually doesn’t receive all of the accolades it deserves. Finding the perfect medium between doing everything the task requires and maintaining your own life and wellbeing can be tricky. We at Next Day Access know just how hard it can be to juggle everything life throws at you, so we have compiled a list of tips and tricks that may help you find your balance.

Tools for Success

One of the first and most important things to do is to make sure you have the tools you need to perform your job. By utilizing specific tools for you and your patient’s needs, you will be able to work smarter, not harder. For example, a threshold ramp is one way to easily move your patient over uneven surfaces around the home.

Another product that can help take the stress of lifting off of you is a patient lift. This simple tool allows you to safely transfer your patient from the bed to a wheelchair or even a bath. No need to strain yourself or potentially injure your patient, the lift eases some of the burden.

One more tool that can greatly help is a portable ramp. This lightweight and transferable ramp can be used both in the home and on the go. From using it for trips to the doctor to trips out into the backyard, it is a great asset to your everyday caregiving.

Make Adjustments

A few minor adjustments can make things easier on both you and the person you care for. For them, safety is always first. Getting rid of clutter is a small thing that can make a big difference. Also removing hazards such as loose rugs, uneven flooring and bulky furniture can lessen trip and fall hazards. For you, simplicity is key. Placing a baby monitor in the room they’re in can help you immensely. You won’t have to rush to where they are to find out what they need. They can simply speak up, and you will be able to effortlessly hear them.

Self‐care

More than just making sure you can comfortably help your patient, it is important to take care of yourself as well. While you are with your patient, it is important to give them your undivided attention. This not only ensures their safety but also their happiness. In your alone time, however, make plans to do something you enjoy. Whether it’s reading a good book or going for a long walk, these simple activities can go a long way.

It is also important that while you are caring for someone, you take frequent breaks. Exhaustion can cause you to make mistakes that could result in injuries for both parties. It’s smart and safe to take short breaks to rejuvenate. You can also use this time to plan fun activities for yourself outside of caregiving.

Next Day Access knows how taxing it can be to devote your time to caring for others. Taking care of someone else, whether it is a relative, friend or your career, can be tiring and often isolating. Don’t forget to give yourself some credit and make sure you follow these tips and tricks to make each day a little better.

Posted in CaregiversLeave a Comment on Taking Care of Caregivers: Finding Your Balance

According to the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA), each day children and adults with muscular dystrophy (MD) lose the freedom “to walk, to talk, to run and play. To laugh, to hug. To eat. To breathe.” Every year in September, people all around the United States join together to fight this disease by raising  awareness for a cure and quality care. To join the fight, Next Day Access has three tips for managing a safe environment as a caregiver for someone with MD.

  1. “Share the Care” Circles

MDA recommends a unique method for family caregiving: share the care. This involves asking a trusted group of core people to take on caregiving responsibilities. This could be a prayer group at church, extended family, co-workers, neighbors or long-term friends. This might mean that a few individuals help with laundry, shopping, childcare, etc. and maybe even extends to utilizing specialists like attorneys and accountants. Gradually, your family will be surrounded by a caring support system that is eager to carry some of the burdens that usually fall on a primary caregiver.

  1. Home Modifications

Traditional homes are not designed with accessibility in mind, and odds are you moved into your home before your loved one received a diagnosis. That means that areas of the house like staircases and bathrooms will gradually become bigger obstacles for someone with MD. Plan ahead, and make home modifications that will allow for easy and safe access around the house before they’re needed. One modification we recommend for caregivers is the ceiling lift. This assists a caregiver in moving someone from a bed to a wheelchair or into the bathroom. With assistance from technology, the caregiver and loved one are less likely to get injured during a transfer.

  1. Exercises for Caregivers

You need exercise, too. The regular heavy lifting you do as a caregiver is hard on the back, neck and shoulders. Plan daily exercises at the gym or go for a walk to maintain the physical stamina and health required of you. As you work your muscles, you will also relieve stress through physical activity. Try to stretch your lower back, shoulders and neck as well as strengthen your legs, hips and back to prevent injury. With all the attention you give your loved one with MD, don’t forget to show yourself some love with a few short exercises a day.

We admire the physical, mental and emotional capacity required of you as a primary caregiver, and we hope these easy tips help. For more accessibility solutions, click this link or call us today at (800) 423-0751.

Posted in CaregiversTagged Leave a Comment on Muscular Dystrophy Awareness Month: 3 Helpful Tips for Caregivers

It’s not a conversation we ever wish to have but sometimes it’s necessary. You notice your parents struggling to get up the stairs or get around in the bathroom safely. At first you may think it’s just a phase but you slowly start to realize their episodes on the stairs and in the bathroom are a common occurrence. You know it’s time to have a tough conversation with your loved one. But how do you do that without causing more distress? Take a look at these tips for having tough conversations with aging parents.

  1. Always approach with love, kindness and compassion

Going into these conversations with the right attitude and tone is so critical. Step into their shoes and understand that change is hard and slowly losing your independence is a difficult and frustrating transition. Listen to them and hear what they’re saying before responding after presenting the changes you wish to make to their home.

  1. Present your solutions

Lay out your plan for their care and present how adding things like grab bars or stair lifts can better help with their well-being. You’ll want to have done your research and provide accurate information when it comes to what solutions you’re looking into. Don’t forget to add in the benefits of installing a ramp or stair lift to ensure your loved one sees the benefits.

  1. Ask for their input

Don’t forget to include them in the decision once you’ve presented to them. Asking what they would like to see or would make life easier for them is key to helping them remain as a decision maker and maintain independence.

  1. Know this is ongoing

Things will continue to change for loved ones as they grow older. Make sure it’s known there could be follow-ups to this initial conversation. Discussions of a home health care nurse coming to help or assisted living could potentially come up and have their mind readied for these conversations can help them in the future.

We understand these conversations are difficult and they tend to not get any easier. We hope these four tips can help you approach these discussions with love and compassion. Have you had to have these tough conversations? If so, what are some tips for having tough conversations with aging parents can you share?

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Caregivers can have a thankless job. It can be difficult to find balance between your duties and your own wellbeing can be a challenge. Here are three tips for caregivers to help make responsibilities a little less stressful.

Self-Care is Important for Caregivers

Caring for another person that relies on you to assist in the most basic functions can take its toll. Caregivers at their best need to first give care to themselves. Make time to take part in activities you enjoy, like a book club or fitness class. Take frequent breaks to prevent burnout and be aware of signs of depression.

It never hurts to seek out help for yourself during this season of life. On average, a caregiver will spend 4.3 years providing care for a loved one and will spend 21 hours a week providing that care. If you’re working, that can mean a 60+ hour week. Strive to find that balance to take care of yourself.

Find the Right Tools for Caregivers

Certain tools and aids can help make your job a little easier and help your body bear less of the brunt. If you’re caring for someone in a wheelchair, a ramp may be necessary to help get them in and out of the house. You can customize our ramps to meet specific needs.

Grab bars are a great addition to assist in the bathroom. Add them to the bathtub or near the toilet. They can provide a sense of security and support if you can’t be there to assist your loved one getting up on in and out of the tub.

Make trips to the doctor a little more hassle-free by adding a vehicle lift to your car. This addition to your vehicle can make getting in and out of the car more comfortable and less stressful for your loved one.

Ask for Help

It can be hard to ask for help or even accept someone’s offer to help. But allowing someone else to assist with some of the responsibility, even if it’s temporary, can help you find the time to care for yourself.

Being a caregiver can be isolating. Seek out other caregivers through support groups. It can be helpful to relate with others dealing with similar situations as yourself.

At the end of the day, you deserve credit! Don’t forget to give yourself credit for what you’re doing – it’s a tough role to be in. What are some tips you would give to caregivers out there?

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