Welcoming a home health nurse into your home can be a nerve-wracking experience. No matter how qualified the nurse may be, a new person is entering into the lives of you and your loved one, and trust needs to be established. This can also be a challenging time for the home health nurse as they are coming into a new home without prior knowledge of how the household operates. Your home health nurse wants to provide the best care possible, while respecting your home and wishes. But it’s not always … [Read more...] about How to Support Your Loved One's Home Health Nurse
Resources for Caregivers
Where to Buy Gently Used Medical Equipment
Needing to pay out-of-pocket for medical equipment because insurance doesn’t cover the expense can be an enormous burden on top of an already difficult situation. Now, more people are purchasing used medical equipment from reputable companies that provide clean and safe devices at a significantly lower cost. Gently used medical equipment can cost half of what it would brand new, while still providing patients with the care, support, and technology they need. It’s important to be … [Read more...] about Where to Buy Gently Used Medical Equipment
Telling Children About a Loved One’s Illness
When you make the important decision to receive home health care for a loved one with a terminal or chronic illness, you will need to plan how you inform other members of the family. If there are children in the home, that communication can be tricky to navigate. Children are perceptive and will sense that emotions are running high. Hiding the medical condition from your children may seem tempting, but it is rarely a good idea. When a family member or close friend has a serious medical … [Read more...] about Telling Children About a Loved One’s Illness
Therapy Dogs Are the Perfect Gift for You!
The holiday season can give rise to a mix of emotions, especially for individuals who are sick or are caring for someone who is sick. It can be hard to embrace the seasonal cheer of the holiday season. If you’re struggling with the stress of festivities on top of dealing with an illness, you may benefit from a therapy dog! What Is a Therapy Dog? According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, therapy dogs are an effective nonpharmacological intervention method for aiding people who may be: … [Read more...] about Therapy Dogs Are the Perfect Gift for You!
How to Care for Yourself When Caring for a Sick Loved One
Caring for a loved one can be difficult for both the caretaker and their family member. When you are a caregiver, it is crucial that you take care of yourself. Under normal circumstances, sleep and downtime are necessary for the body and brain to recover from life’s daily stresses. When you add the stress of caring for a loved one, these elements become even more important. Taking time to care for yourself and meet your needs ensures you will be more capable of, and effective when, helping your … [Read more...] about How to Care for Yourself When Caring for a Sick Loved One
Winter is Coming… and so is Flu Season! Prepare Yourself.
Why Get the Vaccine? As someone caring for a sick or disabled family member, you may have so many responsibilities that you put off caring for yourself. One thing you should not postpone is getting a flu shot. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend that everyone over the age of six months receive a yearly flu vaccine. The flu shot is the best way to prevent influenza, lowering your risk by 50-60%. Since the flu virus evolves, it is important that you get vaccinated every year, … [Read more...] about Winter is Coming… and so is Flu Season! Prepare Yourself.