There comes a time when you have to have a difficult conversation with your loved one about a change in their life. There are three that are the most common: driving, living arrangements and end of life. This is the first of a three episode series beginning with driving.

http://www.fitnesstodrivescreening.com/

https://www.aarp.org/auto/driver-safety/info-2019/rules-of-rod-quiz.html

https://www.everydayhealth.com/senior-health/driving-safety.aspx

A look at a day in the life of a caregiver part 2. Common issues you face on a daily basis as you care for your loved one. How about a caregiver time out? Your care receiver's behavior may change with the sunset. Does their fidgeting behavior start or intensify? Finally, it's time for bed and the end of another day.

Neurobics can be found at:

http://www.healthtransformer.co/

Tull, M. (03/13/2021). Use your 5 senses to manage stress levels.

http://www.verywellmind.com/

Source: Anna Baird Galloway, OTD, OTR/L, MT-BC is an assistant professor of Occupational Therapy at the University of Florida and is also a board certified Music Therapist who provided consultation on this podcast.

A look at a day in the life of a caregiver. Common issues you face on a daily basis as you care for your loved one. Start the day with waking then bathing, dressing and ending part one with meals.

A variety to towel warmers can be found at:

http://www.amazon.com/

Bed, Bath and Beyond

A variety of post surgery tear away pants can be found at:

https://www.amazon.com/

Neurobics can be found at:

http://www.healthtransformer.co/

Tull, M. (03/13/2021). Use your 5 senses to manage stress levels.

http://www.verywellmind.com/

Source: Anna Baird Galloway, OTD, OTR/L, MT-BC is an assistant professor of Occupational Therapy at the University of Florida and is also a board certified Music Therapist who provided consultation on this podcast.

What is the difference? When does one transition to the other? Can someone have both at the same time? There are resources that can help the caregiver and receiver make the transition.

National Institute on Aging, (2016), End of Life : Helping with comfort and care. Office of Communications and Public Liaison, Bethesda, MD 20892-2292

Dealing with specific needs and issues for someone providing caregiving to a person experiencing dementia.

Out of print but may be purchased used through Amazon or other used book sellers. Murphey, C. (1988). Day to Day: Spiritual help when someone you love has Alzheimer’s. The Westminster Press, Philadelphia, PA

Information on virtual dementia tours and other resources may be found at Second Wind Dreams.

http://secondwind.org

General information on dementias may be found at:

http://Patientsrising.org

Positive Approach to Care

What's a COOP plan? COOP is short for "Continuation Of Operations Plan". A plan for being able to continue "operating" in event of an emergency, be it a plant, a business or in this case, your own home. It is a plan for being prepared in case of an emergency, especially natural disasters.

Show Notes:

https://www.fema.gov/pdf/about/org/ncp/coop_brochure.pdf

Shepard, P. (2017). What to know about tornado season in the south. Southern Living magazine.

https://www.southernliving.com/travel/when-is-tornado-season

Meteorologist James Spann’s Facebook page is:

https://www.facebook.com/search/top?q=james%20spann

History of the Tornado Siren

https://www.alabamapublichealth.gov/get10/

https://www.alabamapublichealth.gov/get10/pets.html

Ways all care givers can provide support and care regardless of the specific disease. There are many links to resources for helping with specific illnesses in the show notes.

Show Notes:

Article by Eileen Davidson

Article by Melissa Manning

https://www.mbcareno.com/single-post/2019/11/08/How-to-be-a-Supportive-Partner-to-Someone-with-Chronic-Illness

American Diabetes Association

https://www.diabetes.org/

https://www.diabetesjournals.org

https://www.arthritis.org/diseases/rheumatoid-arthritis

https://www.copdfoundation.org/

https://www.nationalmssociety.org/What-is-MS

https://www.parkinson.org/understanding-parkinsons/what-is-parkinsons

https://www.cancer.org/

https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/consumer-healthcare/what-is-cardiovascular-disease

American Autoimmune Related Diseases Association

Alzheimer's Association

https://www.alz.org/

https://www.dementiasociety.org/

https://www.cdc.gov/chronicdisease/resources/

https://www.alabamapublichealth.gov/get10/essentials.html

Keeping your care receiver, and you, safe inside the home, around the home and away from the home.

Show Notes:

Windham, K.T., (2011). She: The old woman who took over my life. NewSouth Books, Montgomery, Alabama

http://www.newsouthbooks.com/

https://www.copdfoundation.org/

https://www.amazon.com/Cord-Protector-CritterCord

https://www.webmd.com/lung/lung-home-oxygen-therapy

https://www.findanoccupationaltherapist.com/

The person at the center of care should be the most important voice at the table.

Show Notes:

The American Geriatrics Society Expert Panel on Person-Centered Care (12/02/2015). Person‐Centered Care: A Definition and Essential Elements. https://doi.org/10.1111/jgs.13866 Citations: 164

Building the Essential Care Giving Tool Kit. Tips and tools for helping you manage the nitty gritty of your loved one's care.

Show Notes:

Example of a simple monthly appointment calendar template from calendarkart.com

https://fivewishes.org/Home

Here are examples of a fidget wristband and spinner.  My dad actually started with the fidget spinner just as he began the cognitive decline. He eventually could no longer make it spin and this frustrated him. The wristband was helpful in preventing repetitive picking at his skin.

(Right click on images and select open in a new tab to enlarge pictures.)

This is a "fidget blanket" which may be used to help care receivers with stress, anxiety, or agitation.  Watch your care receiver closely to ensure none of the adornments are pulled off or put into mouth.

These are close-up shots of the panels of my dad's fidget blanket to show in greater detail the adornments and textures. My dad loved the mesh maze with the stone inside that he could push around. He also played with the strip of button tabs and zipped and unzipped all zippers. The stuffed animals were delightful until he decided they would be lunch! We put these away for a time, and then stored them in their pockets on the blanket, until the next use, at which time he was not interested in the stuffed animals at all!.

Source: Anna Baird Galloway, OTD, OTR/L, MT-BC is an assistant professor of Occupational Therapy at the University of Florida and is also a board certified Music Therapist who provided consultation on this podcast as it relates to the use of music with the chronically ill.